Dylan Larkin’s name keeps surfacing in Montreal, and the fit is hard to ignore. Elliotte Friedman said on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast that a lot of the reporting around the league points to people trying to sell Larkin on the Canadiens as the right landing spot. Nothing is imminent, but the idea is clearly out there, especially with Montreal looking to keep climbing and Larkin off to a strong start in Detroit.
That buzz sits in the background while the Red Wings captain continues to produce, which only makes him more interesting if other teams decide to push. For now, though, this is more about a compelling possibility than any real sign that a deal is close.
Another name drawing attention is Alex Ovechkin, whose decision to retire after the 2026-27 season may have been shaped in part by what’s happening around him in Washington. Friedman suggested Ovechkin saw the direction things were heading and understood that his role would not stay the same. The Capitals will be stronger with the additions of Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou, but those moves also point toward a deeper roster and a future in which Ovechkin’s place naturally shrinks.
Friedman stressed that this is not about Washington showing Ovechkin a lack of respect. It’s about the reality of a team building forward, even if that means the captain’s role changes with it.
The Edmonton Oilers are still hunting for help at right-shot center, and Boston Bruins forward Matthew Poitras has been on their radar. Reports indicate Edmonton took a serious look at Poitras before landing Filip Hallander in a trade. Boston was believed to be seeking a draft pick in any Poitras deal, and Edmonton may not have been willing to meet that ask.
That doesn’t necessarily close the door. The Oilers have kept tabs on Poitras, and Mike Babcock’s apparent support for the young forward could be part of why Edmonton continues to watch the situation closely. Whether they circle back is still an open question.
There is also uncertainty surrounding Alexander Nikishin and the Carolina Hurricanes. Friedman wondered if the defenseman might eventually have to “wave the white flag” and return. Unless a trade comes together, Friedman believes Nikishin may ultimately have no choice but to report.
Vladimir Tarasenko’s free-agent market, meanwhile, looks thinner by the day. Friedman said Tarasenko would like to go back to the Florida Panthers and there is some interest there, but the cap situation in Florida remains a major hurdle.
Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN’s Early Trading that the Panthers had previously offered Tarasenko no more than $850,000, a number he turned down. Tarasenko’s 23 goals last season are the most of any remaining unrestricted free agent, but he may need to lower his price to land somewhere.
And then there’s Connor Hellebuyck, who could still become part of a trade conversation if Winnipeg decides to move him. Buffalo, Utah and Carolina have already been viewed as the leading possibilities, but David Pagnotta floated the Los Angeles Kings as a surprise team to watch.
The concern there centers on whether Darcy Kuemper can handle a full season, which could push Los Angeles into the market. If that happens, Hellebuyck might be willing to consider it if the list of realistic options keeps shrinking.
In Other News...
Capitals Showed Fans Something Different In Pittsburgh Win
The Capitals home opener against Pittsburgh offered a little of everything, and a few of the new-look pieces fit together in a way Washington had to like. In the 5-3 win, Tom Wilson filled the box score with three points, Ryan Leonard added his second goal of the season, and the penalty kill did its part in keeping the Penguins from getting comfortable for long stretches.
What stood out most was the way Washington generated offense beyond the usual names, with Wilson, Alex Tuch and Pierre-Luc Dubois driving plenty of the nights momentum. Alex Ovechkin did not record a point, but the Capitals still found enough scoring and enough structure to put away a division rival in a game that hinted at a different kind of balance up front. [Read more 🡒]
Capitals Suddenly Look Like Real Contenders For One Big Reason
The Capitals first week has offered plenty of reason for optimism, with two wins in their first three games and an offseason that already looks a little sharper on paper. Additions like Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou have given Washington more pop, while the core still runs through captain Alex Ovechkin, goaltender Logan Thompson and Pierre-Luc Dubois, a blend that has analysts Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton sounding more bullish than they were before camp opened.
The bigger question is whether the roster can stay intact long enough for that upside to matter. Washington does not need every part to go perfectly, but it does need the lineup to keep its key pieces on the ice and functioning at the level that makes the rest of the East take notice. Dubois, in particular, is the swing factor, because the Capitals ceiling looks very different depending on which version of him shows up over the course of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Capitals May Not Be Done Building Around Ovechkins Final Push
The Capitals spent the offseason trying to give Alex Ovechkin one more real shot at a championship, and the work may not stop there. Washington has already brought in help and continues to position itself as a team that expects to be in the conversation when the Stanley Cup race tightens, which keeps the front office focused on finding the right pieces rather than simply standing pat.
David Pagnotta has also indicated the Capitals could stay active as the season unfolds, with the trade market a place they plan to watch closely as the deadline approaches. That fits the broader sense around the team, especially with a marquee defenseman in Carolina drawing attention in free-agency chatter and plenty of speculation left about how far Washington will push its push for one last Ovechkin run. [Read more 🡒]