Dylan Larkin reportedly turned down a trade to a Canadian team

The Dylan Larkin saga has taken yet another fascinating turn, and this time it involves a team that most people probably didn't have circled as a frontrunner. We've known for months that the Detroit Red Wings center wants out after requesting a trade following last season, but the latest intel from a well-connected Quebec reporter suggests the situation is far more developed than anyone realized, at least on one side of the equation.

TVA Sports reporter Renaud Lavoie dropped a bombshell during a special broadcast, stating in no uncertain terms that if Larkin had agreed to a trade to Montreal, he would already be a member of the Canadiens. Not in a "maybe down the road" kind of way. In a "he'd be at the team golf tournament today" kind of way. That's about as concrete as it gets in the rumor world.

A Deal Apparently Ready to Go, Missing One Signature

The implication of Lavoie's comments is hard to ignore. It sounds like the framework between Montreal GM Kent Hughes and the Detroit front office may already be in place, or at least close enough that the only remaining hurdle is Larkin himself giving the thumbs up. His full no-trade clause gives him absolute veto power over any proposed destination, and right now, Montreal simply isn't on his approved list.

Larkin's known list of acceptable destinations includes Minnesota, Vegas, Florida, and more recently Dallas. That's it. Four teams. And for a guy who has demanded a trade, keeping that list so short is a choice that limits Detroit's leverage significantly. Lavoie himself reportedly expressed confusion over Larkin's continued refusal to consider Montreal, especially given that multiple people in Larkin's circle have apparently spoken positively about the market to him over the summer.

Here's where I'll throw out my unpopular opinion: if you demand a trade from your team, you should be willing to waive your no-trade clause more broadly. I get it, players earn that contractual protection, and they have every right to use it. But there's something a little contradictory about telling your organization you want out while simultaneously keeping the door shut on legitimate contenders who are ready and willing to acquire you. Detroit can't run a proper trade market when only four teams are in play, and Larkin can't exactly complain about still being a Red Wing if he's the one narrowing the field.

From a hockey standpoint, the fit in Montreal makes a ton of sense. Larkin has been one of the most consistent centers in the league over the past three seasons, posting at least 30 goals in each campaign. Last year he put up 34 goals and 67 points in 74 games. Slot him behind or alongside Nick Suzuki and suddenly the Canadiens have genuine center depth that would give opposing coaches nightmares. Add in Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Ivan Demidov, and Montreal starts looking like a team that's ready to push for something real.

The Prospect Angle and What Comes Next

Another layer to this story involves Michael Hage, Montreal's 2024 first-round pick who plays at the University of Michigan. TVA Sports reporter Nicolas Cloutier pointed to Hage as a player Detroit knows extremely well and would have interest in acquiring. That makes sense on multiple levels. Hage is right in the Red Wings' scouting backyard, put up 52 points in 39 games at Michigan last season, and even shares a locker room with Will Horcoff, the son of Red Wings executive Shawn Horcoff. None of that means Hage has been formally offered or that negotiations are active, but it gives the rumor a tangible framework that goes beyond pure speculation.

The salary cap situation also adds complexity. Larkin carries an $8.7 million annual cap hit through 2031, and Montreal reportedly has roughly $4.28 million in available space. That means the Canadiens would need to move approximately $4.4 million in salary either back to Detroit or through a separate transaction to make the math work. It's doable, but it requires some creative roster management from Hughes.

For now, Larkin has confirmed he'll report to Red Wings training camp, though Detroit will begin the season without him wearing the captain's "C." The organization is also operating with new hockey operations leadership, which could shift the dynamics as things develop. But the core reality remains unchanged: Montreal appears ready and willing, Detroit appears open to dealing, and the only person standing between Larkin and a Canadiens sweater is Larkin himself. Whether he eventually comes around on Montreal or digs in on his current list will determine how this entire offseason shakes out for multiple franchises.