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Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin has expanded his trade list to 10 teams as interim general manager Shawn Horcoff continues to try to facilitate a deal — and although the Montreal Canadiens still aren’t on it, there is no shortage of interest from the most storied franchise in hockey.
As The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported in his latest NHL rumblings, the Wings have been scouting the Habs in case their former captain changes his mind.
“The Red Wings have been actively scouting the Canadiens lately, among other teams, doing their due diligence in case Larkin approves Montreal as a destination,” the hockey insider wrote Friday.
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“Detroit is fully aware of the kind of packages the Canadiens aggressively put in front of Toronto last season at the deadline for Matthew Knies and in front of Columbus last month for Kirill Marchenko.”
Canadiens fans made it clear they’d love to welcome Larkin to the Bell Centre, chanting “We want Larkin” when the Red Wings visited Quebec on Oct. 10.
Montreal lacks a bona fide second-line center and is now without its No. 1 center after captain Nick Suzuki suffered an upper-body injury that could sideline him for up to a month.
“Nick Suzuki’s injury doesn’t affect Montreal’s interest in Larkin, but I think the Canadiens would be ready to fully engage with Detroit if and when Larkin adds Montreal to his list,” LeBrun added.
“Larkin’s camp, led by agents Pat Brisson and Matt Williams, wants things to move ahead more urgently on the trade front. So I think there’s a bit of pressure coming from them. … If you’re Detroit, you’re probably hoping Montreal enters the mix as an official option because that organization has more attractive assets to mine.”
The Canadiens could put together a strong offer for the former Red Wings captain, but despite their interest, he didn’t include the franchise on his expanded 10-team trade list.
However, he was complimentary of the fans in downtown Montreal after the game.
“I never would have imagined that in this building and in my career,” Larkin told reporters, including the Detroit Free Press’ Helene St. James. “They’re passionate fans. It’s one of the best atmospheres in hockey. They’re knowledgeable and they love their team. That’s how I read into it.”
Canadiens fans are holding out hope that if Larkin expands his trade list again, Montreal will be on it. If that happens, it’s easy to envision a scenario where the Olympic gold medalist ends up with last season’s Eastern Conference finalists.
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