For the second straight offseason, the Montreal Canadiens are looking for a way to bolster their centre ice position, and with Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin putting in a trade request, he could be the perfect fit for what the team needs. Larkin, the Red Wings' 15th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, has spent over a decade with the franchise, but after just one playoff appearance, he now wants to move on from the Motor City.
Dylan Larkin would be a perfect fit for Montreal
For the Canadiens, targeting Larkin makes perfect sense. Nick Suzuki is the unquestioned number one centre on the roster, but after him, there is no clear player stepping up for the second line position. Oliver Kapanen played the majority of the season as the team's number two centre, but after tailing off near the end of the season, he was left out of the lineup for the majority of the team’s playoff run. Jake Evans played that role in the playoffs, but he is better equipped to play on the third or fourth line in a shutdown role. The Canadiens are missing another elite player playing down the middle in order to become true Stanley Cup contenders, and adding Larkin would definitely propel them to that.
Larkin would be a perfect fit stylistically for the Canadiens. Montreal’s brand of hockey is built on speed, skill, and defensive responsibility, all characteristics that Larkin possesses. Adding a player of Larkin’s calibre would do wonders for Ivan Demidov’s development, giving him a legit top-six centre to play with. Montreal had problems in the playoffs when its first line was not producing. When they were off their game, Montreal did not have a line that could step up and produce consistently offensively. Adding Larkin would give the Canadiens two legit lines that could strike fear into opponents.
The Canadiens have the assets to acquire Larkin
Larkin had been one of the more consistent players in the NHL, and barring the last couple of seasons, without any top-level talent help. He has eclipsed the 60-point mark seven times in his career, reaching 70+ three times. In 808 games with the Red Wings, Larkin has scored 276 goals and has added 367 assists. His play has not translated to success, though, as the only time the team has made the playoffs during his tenure was all the way back to his rookie season. He is now looking for a new chapter in his career, and if his goal is to compete in the playoffs, Montreal would be a perfect destination.
Acquiring a player of Larkin’s calibre will not be cheap, but the Canadiens are one of the very few teams that would have the assets to pull off a trade for the three-time all-star. Montreal has been reluctant to entertain any trade talks that include someone like Michael Hage, but that was before their playoff run. The Canadiens' Stanley Cup window is just opening, and adding a player like Larkin would make them perennial contenders for the next half-decade and possibly even longer.
