Dylan Larkin makes a decision that Montreal Canadiens fans won't like
Photo credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Canadiens fans can chant all they want, but Dylan Larkin has not budged. The Red Wings captain still has no interest in Montreal as a landing spot, according to a fresh update from The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.
LeBrun went back to find out whether Larkin had softened his stance and decided to add the Canadiens to his list of acceptable trade destinations. He had not.
I checked...to see if there was perhaps a little change of heart from Dylan Larkin as far as adding a new team to his list, i.e. Montreal; no, his list has not changed; 10 teams...but does not include Montreal at this point.
A Door That Stays Closed
For Montreal, that is a tough pill to swallow. The Bell Centre crowd made its wishes known with “We Want Larkin” chants during the game against Detroit, hoping to sway the veteran center toward a move.
Instead, Larkin's camp has kept the same ten teams in place, and the Canadiens are not one of them.
That matters because Larkin holds the leverage in this situation. Detroit cannot send him anywhere he has not approved, so even a strong offer from Montreal's front office would go nowhere without his blessing.
The Canadiens have assets to spend, including a deep prospect pool and draft capital, yet none of it helps if the player refuses to sign off. Detroit has also refused futures-only packages, which narrows the field even further.
What Happens Next
The picture in Detroit remains messy. Larkin has been booed by the home crowd, and interim GM Shawn Horcoff has reportedly shown a desire to repair the relationship, which could stretch this saga out even longer.
Meanwhile, the contenders on his list continue to monitor the situation from a distance.
Montreal can keep hoping, but the message from Larkin's side is clear. Unless something changes, the Canadiens will have to look elsewhere for help down the middle.
Fans dreaming of Larkin in a Montreal sweater will have to wait, and that wait could be indefinite.
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