More Dylan Larkin Trade Speculation, plus the latest on the Canadiens and the Capitals in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz looked at whether Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin would be a fit with the Philadelphia Flyers.
The 29-year-old center requested a trade last week. He has five years left on his contract with an average annual value of $8.7 million and a full no-trade clause.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).
Kurz believes it would make sense for the Flyers to pursue Larkin, who would fill their first-line center position.
If the Red Wings want to be in the playoff chase next season, they’ll likely want a top-two center in return for Larkin, which would take the Flyers out of the running. However, if the Wings are rebuilding, the Flyers have the tradeable assets to make a competitive trade offer.
Kurz considers it unlikely that the Flyers will land Larkin. He believes general manager Daniel Briere isn’t under pressure to take a big swing right now.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin has spent the past decade outside the playoff picture. While the Flyers exceeded expectations this season by reaching the postseason, Larkin’s preference could be joining a club he believes will give him the best chance of winning the Stanley Cup.
Meanwhile, Aaron Portzline doubted that the Columbus Blue Jackets have a shot at acquiring Larkin.
Portzline noted the friendship between Larkin and Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, but that’s unlikely to put the Blue Jackets on Larkin’s short list of trade destinations. He noted that the Wings center’s preference could be to join an upper-echelon club, such as the Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, and Florida Panthers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have come tantalizingly close to the playoffs the past two years but failed to break through. They probably aren’t the type of team Larkin would be keen to join.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Patrick Present believes the Anaheim Ducks could be well-positioned to make an enticing trade pitch for Larkin.
Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek knows Larkin from his days as the Red Wings’ assistant GM. He’s also been an active trade partner with his former club over the past two years.
Present wondered if an offer of young center Mason McTavish, a second-tier prospect such as Eric Nilsson or Lasse Boelius, and a first-round pick might be enough to acquire Larkin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks have plenty of factors that would give them an advantage over other clubs pursuing Larkin. However, it will come down to whether they’re on his short list of trade destinations.
UPDATE ON THE CANADIENS
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan believes Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault will have value in the trade market despite his struggles this season.
The 29-year-old Montembeault entered this season as the Canadiens’ starting goaltender. However, a combination of injuries and inconsistency shook his confidence and turned him into their third-stringer behind Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler.
Montembault has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $3.15 million. With several teams having goaltending issues, Cowan thinks the Canadiens shouldn’t have a problem trading him this summer.
TVA SPORTS: Renaud Lavoie believes the Canadiens could find a buyer for Kirby Dach if they decide to put the 25-year-old forward on the trade block.
Injuries hampered Dach’s development since being acquired by the Canadiens in 2022. Nevertheless, Lavoie believed that Dach still has value. He felt that teams will be interested if he becomes available, suggesting the Canadiens could get a second or third-round pick for him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens likely won’t get much for either guy, but a draft pick for each could be used as trade chips to address other issues. One of them could even be part of a larger multi-player deal, though that possibility seems remote.
CAPITALS TO SHOP FOR A DEFENSEMAN
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber recently reported that Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin has started rehab as he begins his long recovery from surgery in April to repair a torn ACL.
Sandin is expected to be sidelined for six to nine months, meaning he might not return to the lineup until late January. Capitals GM Chris Patrick said he will explore options to address Sandin’s absence.