Dylan Larkin and the Montreal Canadiens are the newest pairing making the rounds in trade rumors, even though Larkin never actually asked for this one.
His original approved list included Vegas, Minnesota, and Florida, with Dallas added later. Montreal was noticeably absent from that group.
That hasn't stopped the speculation. Montreal's roster fit and cap situation keep pulling this connection back into the conversation.
Nick Suzuki already anchors the top center spot after a 101-point season, 29 goals and 72 assists in 82 games. Adding Larkin behind him would be genuinely dangerous.
Larkin could also slot in centering Ivan Demidov, giving Montreal a second scoring line that looks nothing like a typical rebuilding roster anymore.
Montreal reportedly has around $9,700,000 in cap space, enough to absorb Larkin's $8,700,000 hit without needing Detroit to retain a dollar.
His deal runs through 2030-31 too, the kind of term that only gets more valuable as the salary cap keeps climbing league-wide.
Why Kent Hughes' asset protection could kill this before it starts
Here's the real obstacle: Larkin controls his destination through a full no-trade clause, and Montreal isn't currently on that list.
Even if that changes, Detroit has little reason to discount its captain's price just because he requested out.
Kent Hughes has built this roster by refusing to give up premium pieces, the same instinct that's kept David Reinbacher out of every trade discussion for years.
Detroit would likely want a real established player back, not just picks and prospects, given how good Larkin still is on the ice.
Cole Caufield's 88 points and Juraj Slafkovsky's 73 last season show exactly why Montreal shouldn't feel desperate enough to blow up that patient approach.
Is this fit exciting on paper? Absolutely. Is it likely to actually happen? Not unless Larkin decides Montreal belongs on his list.
Until that changes, this stays exactly what it's been all along: a great idea that depends entirely on someone else's decision.
Would you want the Canadiens to trade for Dylan Larkin?
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