Source: Canadiens Have ‘Poked Around On Larkin Before’

Add Dylan Larkin to the list of NHL trade targets for the Montreal Canadiens.

Per Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings captain has requested a trade. Since that report surfaced late Thursday morning, Murphy’s Hockey Law has spoken to one NHL source who claimed that the Canadiens have looked into Larkin’s trade availability before.

“I heard that the Habs have poked around on him before,” one of the sources told MHL late Thursday night. “When Larkin made it clear he was unhappy that Steve Yzerman didn’t go for it at the deadline last year, a lot of teams looked into him last offseason, and I was told that the Canadiens were one of them.

Now that he’s definitely available and wants out, the Canadiens will circle back and target him for their 2C slot.”

Dating back to last offseason, the Canadiens haven’t been shy when it comes to their search for a second line center to compliment captain, and 2026 Selke Award winner. As confirmed here this past Monday and on The Eye Test back at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, the Montreal Canadiens looked into St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas and are expected to do so again this offseason, if they haven’t already. 

As for what it would cost for the Montreal Canadiens to acquire Larkin from the Red Wings, my Eye Test Podcast co-host Pierre McGuire gave his take on Thursday’s episode.

“I know one thing, it would have to start with Michael Hage, I’d imagine,” McGuire replied when I asked him what he thinks the cost would be.

“I’ll just tell you why. Shawn Horcoff is the Assistant GM there; his son Will plays at Michigan (with Hage). [Kris] Draper (Red Wings Assistant General Manager), his son just left there. Played four years at Michigan and signed with Detroit and was obviously part of their minor league team after he left Michigan. So, who knows Hage better than Detroit? Maybe Montreal and that’s it.”

Numerous sources have told MHL that the Canadiens have continually said no on Michael Hage in trade talks dating back to the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Does a player like Larkin change that?

One thing to keep in mind is that Larkin has a full no-trade clause. That being said, if he is willing to put Montreal on his wishlist of teams to be dealt with, McGuire makes a great point on Hage likely having to be part of the return for the Red Wings. 

Dylan Larkin, 29, was drafted 15th overall by the Red Wings at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-, 205-pound left-shot center had 34 goals and 33 assists in 74 games this past season. It was the fifth straight (and sixth overall) season that Larkin has cracked the 30-goal plateau. Dylan Larkin is heading into the fourth season of an eight-year, $69.6 million contract that carries an $8.7 salary cap hit.

The Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota Wild and Los Angeles Kings are all expected to pursue Larkin on the NHL trade market.