"It Was Interesting" Red Wings' Dylan Larkin Responds To Viral Chant By Canadiens Fans

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One of the main storylines surrounding the Detroit Red Wings this season, of which there are many, is the ongoing saga involving former captain Dylan Larkin.

Larkin requested a trade during the offseason, but his request wasn't granted by former GM Steve Yzerman or, so far, interim GM Shawn Horcoff.

After missing all of training camp and the preseason, as well as the first two games of the campaign, Larkin returned on Oct. 6 and earned First Star of the Game honors after scoring a goal and adding an assist in a 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators.

On Saturday evening, the Red Wings hit the road for the first time this season to face the rival Montreal Canadiens, whose fans serenaded the former captain with chants expressing their desire to see him in a Habs jersey.

Following the game, which was a 1-0 shootout Canadiens win, Larkin was asked about the chants, and answered that they took him by surprise. 

“It was interesting; I never would have imagined that in this building in my career," Larkin said afterward. They’re passionate fans; this is, in my opinion, the best atmosphere in hockey.

They’re knowledgeable, and they love their team, so that’s how I read into it. But after a few seconds, it was just back to focusing on the game.”

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Larkin was booed by Red Wings fans when he was introduced with the rest of the club's inactive players on Oct. 2 before facing the New York Rangers in the season opener. 

When he hit the ice for the first time on Oct. 6 against the Senators, he was once again greeted with boos, but those mostly turned to cheers when he scored late in the first period, and was later named the game's first star. 

During Larkin's media availability session on Sept. 17, he was asked if his trade request was still valid; he declined to answer and said ht was going to keep that private, while also noting that he may never fully reveal the reasons behind his request. 

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