Michael Russo thinks a Dylan Larkin trade is coming soon, citing word of a recent conference call with the Detroit Red Wings.
Russo said several sources give him the impression that call took place, and plenty of rumors suggest a deal is getting close.
The Red Wings, meanwhile, head into Monday night's game in Edmonton sitting at 4-4-3.
Russo didn't name the team on the other end of the line, and he didn't share what was discussed.
So who was on that call?
Russo covers the Minnesota Wild, and the Wild are on Larkin's 10-team list, as Marco D'Amico previously reported.
Bill Guerin's club is 7-3-2, and Kirill Kaprizov already has 12 goals.
-
Dylan Larkin trade could be close as Michael Russo cites reported Red Wings call
Larkin can block any trade, so nothing moves without his say-so.
The Canadiens aren't among those 10 teams, according to Helene St-James of the Detroit Free Press, at least as of her last update.
Pierre LeBrun said this week that people around the 30-year-old see Montreal as a good fit. That doesn't change the list.
The need is obvious. Nick Suzuki, who leads Montreal with 12 points, is out until at least November 18 with an upper-body injury.
Kent Hughes should keep calling anyway. Lists change, and a 5-3-2 team missing its leading scorer can't afford to be polite.
Think of that list like a wedding guest list. The groom holds the pen, and Montreal's invitation hasn't gone out.
Chris Johnston added another twist on Thursday's Hockey PDOcast. His hunch is that Larkin ultimately lands with a team that isn't currently on the list.
On the ice, the production has been thin, with one goal through 9 games.
His $8,700,000 cap hit is the biggest on Detroit's books, and any buyer has to make that number work.
Shawn Horcoff has only been the GM since September 15. Moving Larkin would be the defining call of his tenure so far.
The Canadiens and Red Wings have already met once this season, a 1-0 Montreal shootout win on October 10.
If Russo's read is right, Montreal may not get the chance to change his mind before the guest list is final.
Should Kent Hughes keep chasing Dylan Larkin even though Montreal isn't on his list?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Auston Matthews reveals why he loves playing with Easton Cowan and his $900K cap hit looks even better
