Canadiens trade Kirby Dach for Dylan Larkin in stunning trade proposal
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
A blockbuster proposal is circling the Dylan Larkin saga, and it checks plenty of boxes for both sides.
Under the framework, Detroit ships Larkin to Montreal with 25 percent of his salary retained. In return, the Red Wings receive Kirby Dach, prospects Alexander Zharovsky and Bryce Pickford, and a 2027 first-round pick.
Larkin carries an $8.7 million cap hit, so the retention would cut Montreal's number to roughly $6.5 million while Detroit absorbs about $2.2 million per season.
Why Detroit Could Say Yes
The Red Wings have been firm: no futures-only packages. Reports have pointed to a desire for an apple-for-apple return that helps now, and Dach fits that mold.
He is an NHL center who can step into the middle of the lineup right away, which softens the blow of losing their captain.
The first-round pick and two prospects give interim GM Shawn Horcoff a blend of present and future value.
That combination could satisfy a front office that has resisted lowball offers all along, and it would let Detroit reset the narrative after Larkin was booed at home.
Why Montreal Should Pull the Trigger
For the Canadiens, the appeal is simple. Larkin is a proven, high-end center who would elevate a young core built on speed and skill. Montreal has assets to spare, and this deal costs depth and picks rather than its crown jewels. The retained salary also keeps the cap sheet manageable.
The biggest roadblock is Larkin himself. He controls his destination through a trade list, and recent reporting says it still does not include Montreal. Chants of We Want Larkin at the Bell Centre have not changed that, at least not yet.
Still, Montreal has reportedly prepared an offer it believes can get Detroit to the finish line. This package would give the Red Wings a center to replace him, a first-round pick and young talent, all without gutting the Canadiens' future.
If Larkin ever opens the door to Montreal, this framework could finally end the standoff. The value is balanced, the cap math works and both clubs get something they need.
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