Dylan Larkin Puts Red Wings in a Real Bind if a Trade to Canadiens Was on the Table

Detroit’s ability to trade Dylan Larkin might have gotten slightly more complicated if a recent report is accurate. Apparently, TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie said the Montreal Canadiens remain off Dylan Larkin’s approved list, with the center said to prefer staying in the United States.

That not only leaves the Canadiens searching for other options at second-line center to open the season, but it also means the Red Wings have one less potential trade partner.

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Trade talks continue to surround Larkin, who remains holding most of the leverage here. He has five years remaining on his contract and a full no-trade clause until 2028, so any move out of Detroit only happens with his sign-off. When the Red Wings finally hire a GM, they’ll be looking for a substantial package, one that is enough to justify parting with the team’s best forward. The Canadiens have the pieces to satisfy a trade. They own several picks, have plenty of prospects, and their roster is chalked full of team-friendly deals. Bryan Hayes and Frankie Corrado of TSN both called the Canadiens an ideal fit. Hayes, however, acknowledged that Larkin has to “come around to it.”

It appears he’s not willing to do so.

Is it Back to the Drawing Board for the Red Wings?

Not being open to a trade to Montreal is a potential hurdle, but it’s not the only option Detroit will have. The Minnesota Wild continue to be pegged as the favorite to land Larkin, but they’re dealing with their own drama. While Detroit’s front office sorts itself out, the Wild are trying to handle their own business with Quinn Hughes. So far, he hasn’t agreed to a contract extension.

If that takes time, it means the Wild aren’t in a position to trade for another high-priced contract without knowing what the Hughes extension will come in at.

Beyond Minnesota, interest around the league is widespread. To what level remains unclear. Could the Golden Knights get in on the action? Might Tampa Bay kick tires? What about a sleeper team like Utah?

Whatever happens, one thing seems clear: with Larkin’s no-trade clause in play, this could all take time.

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