Insider: Red Wings' Projected Demand From Canadiens For Larkin A 'Non-Starter'

Dylan Larkin is still a Detroit Red Wing. He hasn't been on the ice at training camp this week as he's nursing an 'injury' suffered recently during private workouts (at least that's the party line). But his trade request is still seemingly in place. 

Larkin will no longer be wearing the 'C', as he's had the captaincy stripped, understandably, after he made it clear he didn't want to be in Detroit any longer. 

Larkin held court with the media this past week, and played his cards close to the vest on why he requested a trade. But it wasn't hard for anyone to see that he's somewhat of a broken man. 

Hockey insider & former NHL coach Pierre Maguire appeared on The Sick Podcast this past week, and was asked about the possibility, however remote, of a trade to Montreal. The Canadiens are not on Larkin's very limited trade list that he's submitted to the Red Wings, but even aside from that, Maguire doesn't think that it would be a possibility.

I know what Detroit would demand. They would demand Michael Hage. And I'd say it's a non-starter. Not doing that. Because as much as I like Dylan Larkin a lot as a person, and I've known Dylan a long time, I also like him very much as a player, but something happened here, and I don't know if we're going to ever get the same Dylan Larkin. He's been beat up real bad. And that's not an easy thing to overcome.

Podcast host Tony Marinaro suggested that part of what might have led to that 'beat up' idea is the fact that Larkin has always been the No. 1 center in Detroit, and has had to face so many tough matchups on a nightly basis. "Because in an ideal situation, he probably should have been in the 2-hole (as a second-line center)," said Marinaro. Maguire wholeheartedly agreed.  

Larkin registered a career-high 34 goals last season, with 67 points. Usually hovering around the 30-goal, 70-point mark, the 30-year-old would make for an excellent second-line center on some Cup-contender, but many feel that there is some truth to the 'not a true No. 1 center' narrative. 

Larkin could miss entire preseason in latest injury update

The latest on Larkin is that he could miss the entire preseason with his 'upper body injury.'

The Wings make their season debut on Oct. 2nd against the New York Rangers at Little Caesars Arena. If Larkin isn't in uniform, it will only exacerbate the situation he finds himself in with fans in the Motor City right now.