Insider reveals the team with leading offer to acquire Dylan Larkin

Chris Johnston reports the Canadiens have held extensive discussions with the Red Wings about Dylan Larkin.

The timing stands out. Montreal fell 4-1 to the Avalanche on Saturday night, while Detroit went to Tampa and won 2-0 behind a 31-save shutout from Daniil Tarasov.

Johnston also reports that Larkin hasn't shown interest in playing for a Canadian team. That is a big hurdle for a team that has done the legwork and apparently wants to keep going.

Nothing here is a done deal, and no one has reported a framework for a trade. What we have is a reported level of interest and a reported obstacle.

Larkin is 30, a Waterford, Michigan native and the 15th overall pick by Detroit in 2014. He has 649 points in 818 NHL games, and this season he has 2 goals and 4 assists in 10 games.

The Red Wings aren't in a comfortable place either. Before Saturday's win, they were 4-6-0 over their last 10 and carried a -7 goal differential, with Todd McLellan's group still looking for consistency.

Montreal came into Saturday at 7-1-2 over its last 10, so this is a team shopping from strength. Martin St-Louis's club doesn't have to force anything, and that matters when the player on the other end reportedly isn't interested.

Can Dylan Larkin's preference kill a Canadiens trade?

Yes, it can, and that is the main reason to doubt this one. If a player of Larkin's standing doesn't want to go somewhere, Detroit can't expect a strong return from a team the player isn't keen on, and Montreal would be paying for a center who might not want to be there.

His contract adds to the cost. His $8.7 million cap hit runs through the 2030-31 season, which means Kent Hughes would be committing to a 30-year-old for years, not months.

We think this one stays a long shot unless Larkin's view changes. Extensive talks are one thing, but a trade for a player who reportedly wants no part of the destination is another matter entirely, and Detroit has no reason to rush.

The Canadiens visit the Rangers on Monday. The Red Wings host the Bruins on Wednesday, November 18. Any movement on Larkin's side would be the real story to watch.

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.

Also read on Markerzone.com:
Charlie McAvoy faces possible suspension after fight with Bobby Brink in Wild's rout of Bruins