Red Wings receive aggressive five-piece return haul from the Canadiens for Dylan Larkin in trade proposal

The Dylan Larkin trade saga keeps circling back to Montreal, and it's easy to see why.

The Canadiens have been searching for a true second line centre for years, and Larkin's game would slot in beautifully next to the young core Kent Hughes has built.

There's just one massive obstacle standing in the way.

Larkin holds a full no trade clause, and multiple reports have suggested he's reluctant to waive it for a Canadian market.

That alone makes a move to Montreal a long shot, even if the fit on paper looks close to perfect.

Detroit also has to decide if letting its captain walk is even worth it.

Detroit isn't going to move its captain for spare parts.

Steve Yzerman built his reputation on winning trades, and any team calling about Larkin should expect the Red Wings to ask for a first line calibre piece in return.

That's a steep price for a player who profiles more as a top six centre than a true number one option at this stage of his career, and it explains why nothing has happened yet.

One mock trade floated recently would send Alexander Zharovsky, Zachary Bolduc, Bryce Pickford, a 2027 first round pick and a 2028 second round pick to Detroit for Larkin.

It's an aggressive package that leans heavily on futures rather than established NHL talent, which is often exactly the kind of return rebuilding front offices look to stockpile when moving a franchise player.

For Montreal, Larkin's contract would fit neatly into the timeline of their young core, giving them a proven veteran presence down the middle for years to come.

For Detroit, adding a promising KHL winger, a physical shutdown forward and a high scoring defenceman starts to build the kind of pipeline that can eventually replace a departing captain.

Whether Larkin ever actually waives his no trade clause for a Canadian team remains the biggest question of all, and until that changes, this stays firmly in mock trade territory.

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