Dylan Larkin trade buzz grows as Red Wings scout two potential suitors

Dylan Larkin's trade saga just picked up two new names.

TSN's Darren Dreger said on Early Trading that far more teams are interested in the Red Wings center than the ones he's willing to join, so Detroit's pro scouts keep watching clubs that could realistically get involved.

The St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens are in that group.

The timing is hard to ignore. Kris Draper, the Red Wings assistant general manager who recently took over pro scouting, will be at the Blues and Canadiens game tonight in St. Louis.

Larkin asked out after last season and holds a full no-movement clause, so he controls where he lands.

He originally named the Wild, Panthers and Golden Knights, and the Stars were added later.

Reports this month say the list has grown to about 10 teams, but no Canadian club has been included.

Detroit also stripped him of the captaincy before the season.

The 30-year-old carries an $8.7 million cap hit through 2030-31, and Dreger has reported that Detroit wants a steep return, including two top prospects, a first-round pick and a top-nine forward.

Montreal has chased a second-line center for months, and it has the young assets and cap space to make an offer.

Because no Canadian team is on Larkin's list, the Canadiens remain a long shot unless he changes course.

The Blues are a quieter name, and nothing so far suggests they are on his list either.

One scout in the stands does not mean a deal is close.

It does show Detroit is doing its homework beyond the usual names.

Also read on House Of Hockey :
Embarrassing scene unfolds in the stands at the Saddledome during Flames-Maple Leafs game