Suggestions of the Montreal Canadiens as a trade destination for Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin won't go away. Meanwhile, contract talks continue for Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier and Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli.
Dylan Larkin’s trade request remains in limbo as the Detroit Red Wings continue searching for a new general manager.
Speculation persists about whether the 30-year-old center might expand his current three-team list, which includes the Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights. The Dallas Stars are also rumored to be among his preferred destinations.
NHL Network’s Mike Johnson recently suggested the Montreal Canadiens as a destination if Larkin were serious about joining a potential Stanley Cup contender. However, we dismissed that possibility because his list contains only American-based teams.
TVA Sports’ Canadiens insider Renaud Lavoie also cast doubt on Larkin coming to Montreal. He reported last week that they aren't on the two-way center's list.
Lavoie considered it extremely unfortunate, pointing out that the Habs have the trade capital to make a compelling offer to the Red Wings. He believed a Larkin trade won’t occur until the Red Wings lower their asking price, which is believed to be a first-line center.
Latest On Ducks' Gauthier, Blue Jackets' Fantilli
Meanwhile, Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier and Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli remain unsigned as training camp approaches. The young forwards are restricted free agents coming off their entry-level contracts.
During an appearance last week on NHL Network, insider Elliotte Friedman said he’d heard rumors of some progress in Gauthier’s negotiations. However, he believed it would cost the Ducks “a really, really big number” to sign the 22-year-old winger, who reportedly rejected a four-year offer worth an average annual value of $13 million.
Friedman also wondered how the Ducks would become cap-compliant after Gauthier is signed. They currently have $9.07 million of cap space, prompting conjecture that Alex Killorn, Chris Kreider, or Frank Vatrano could be cost-cutting trade options at some point.
Meanwhile, Friedman believed a gap remains between the 21-year-old Fantilli and the Blue Jackets regarding the AAV of his next contract. He doesn’t think it’s a sign of any serious trouble, but the Blue Jackets haven’t reached a number that they’re comfortable with yet.
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