Dylan Larkin’s future has quickly become one of the biggest storylines of the NHL in early June after reports surfaced that he has requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings.
With Detroit facing a difficult decision on its longtime captain, several contenders are expected to explore a potential deal. Two Atlantic Division rivals, in particular, appear well-positioned to enter the conversation.
Maple Leafs and Canadiens Emerge as Key Contenders for Dylan Larkin
Larkin remains under contract for five more seasons with an $8.7 million cap hit, making him one of the most attractive players potentially available. His combination of production, leadership, and contract value is expected to generate significant demand if the Red Wings decide to move forward with a deal.
According to NHL insider James Murphy, several teams are already expected to enter the race. Writing in his weekly insider column, Murphy reported, “The Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota Wild and Los Angeles Kings are all expected to pursue Larkin on the NHL trade market.”
While multiple teams have been connected to Larkin, Toronto and Montreal stand out because both organizations have a clear need and the resources to make a compelling offer.
For the Maple Leafs, the attraction is straightforward. Toronto enters the offseason with more than $22 million in available cap space and can absorb Larkin’s contract without requiring Detroit to retain salary. Adding him would create a formidable center group led by Auston Matthews and Larkin, giving the team another high-end option down the middle.
The organization also possesses premium assets that could help satisfy Detroit’s asking price, though any deal would likely require difficult decisions involving prospects or future draft capital.
Montreal presents a different but equally logical case. The Canadiens have been searching for another impact center to support captain Nick Suzuki and strengthen their top six. Larkin’s speed, two-way reliability, and experience would immediately address that need.
General manager Kent Hughes also controls a deep prospect system and retains future first-round selections that could be included in negotiations.
The challenge for Montreal is financial flexibility. While the Canadiens can fit Larkin’s contract under the salary cap, doing so would leave little room for other roster moves. As a result, any serious discussions would require some salary going back to Detroit.
The biggest factor in the entire process may be Larkin himself. His full no-trade clause remains in place for the next two seasons, meaning he has substantial control over where he ultimately lands. Even if Detroit receives multiple strong proposals, the Red Wings can only complete a trade that Larkin approves.
This reality limits Steve Yzerman’s options and increases the importance of finding a destination that appeals to the player. At the same time, Detroit’s general manager is known for demanding maximum value in major transactions and is unlikely to rush into a decision.
With Toronto and Montreal both seeking ways to strengthen their center depth, Larkin’s availability has created a rare scenario where two division rivals could end up competing directly for the same franchise-altering player.
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If trade discussions advance in the coming weeks, the battle between the Maple Leafs and Canadiens may become one of the defining storylines of the NHL offseason.
