Kent Hughes is ready to pounce on Dylan Larkin, but the Canadiens still aren't on the Detroit forward's trade list.
Larkin still wants out of Detroit. His list includes up to 10 teams, as Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported, and he only wants contenders.
Montreal isn't one of them. That's the whole problem.
Hughes has told the Red Wings the Canadiens are willing to make a deal if the 30-year-old ever adds them. Pierre LeBrun noted people in his camp believe Montreal is a great fit.
The Bell Centre already made its pitch on October 10, chanting “We want Larkin!” during a 1-0 shootout win over Detroit. He noticed, and said so after the game.
Jared Book of Habs Eye on the Prize told Full Press Hockey a deal would already be done if Montreal were on that list. “I just think the need is too obvious; the package it can make is too obvious.”
The need got louder this week. Nick Suzuki is out until at least November 18 with an upper-body injury.
Nick Suzuki's injury makes the Canadiens' need impossible to ignore
The depth up front hasn't picked up the slack. Kirby Dach has no goals through 10 games, and Alex Newhook is a -5.
Oliver Kapanen has been held without a point in three games.
Jake Evans did score twice in Friday's 4-1 win in Chicago. Nobody in Montreal should count on that every night.
Chris Johnston: Re Dylan Larkin/Canadiens: I'm getting some optimism around that, not that he's gonna waive for Montreal tomorrow, but I don't think it's a hard no...I don't think we can say it's 100% no for...Canadian teams for Larkin - Chris Johnston Show (10/22)
Larkin has five points through eight games and carries an $8,700,000 cap hit.
Detroit wants a young center, a high-end prospect who isn't in the NHL yet, a first-round pick and another asset. Shawn Horcoff is doing his homework, and his scouts keep showing up at Canadiens games.
Montreal has the table set and the menu printed. The guest just hasn't made the reservation.
He should add Montreal. Several contenders already on his list don't have the assets to get a deal done, and few buildings want a player this badly.
The Red Wings are in Calgary on Saturday and the Canadiens visit Winnipeg on Sunday. Until that list grows, Hughes is stuck waiting by the phone.
Should Dylan Larkin add the Canadiens to his trade list?
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