The NHL offseason turned up a notch with the news that Dylan Larkin had requested a trade out of Detroit on Thursday.
A new star potentially becoming available on the trade market has stirred things up league-wide, and everyone is now trying to determine the best landing spots for the Red Wings captain.
While it won’t be easy to make such a deal with an Atlantic Division rival, TSN analyst Bryan Hayes is among the many who like the idea of a fit with the Montreal Canadiens for Larkin.
“Yeah, I think Montreal makes a lot of sense. I think they make a lot of sense. I think this is exactly what they need. They need a second-line center, and I think that’s what Dylan Larkin is on a great team… If it does get to a point where he’s willing to move him, Steve Yzerman, will he want to trade him within the division? I don’t know, but Montreal makes a lot of sense. Perfect world for me, if it’s my choice, Montreal. I think he steps in beautifully there with the Habs. Him and Suzuki, a one-two punch up the middle,”
The 29-year-old Larkin has five years remaining on the eight-year, $69.6 million contract extension he signed with the Red Wings in 2023, which includes a full no-movement clause through 2027-28. He potted 67 points (34 goals, 33 assists) in 74 games played last season.
A one-two punch of Suzuki and Larkin would absolutely be formidable, and we know the Canadiens have been searching for that elite second-line center behind their captain for quite some time now.
What it would take to force Steve Yzerman to send him to Montreal remains to be seen, but Kent Hughes and company certainly have the necessary assets to be major players in these sweepstakes nonetheless.
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