Larkin Heard Canadiens Fans

Some Montreal Canadiens fans came to the Bell Centre on a mission Saturday night: they wanted the former Detroit Red Wings captain, Dylan Larkin, to hear that the town wanted him and should reconsider not listing the Canadiens as an acceptable destination. What started as a simple idea from radio show host and former NHLer Georges Laraque soon became reality on Saturday night.

A few attempted chants came before the game even started, but the Bell Centre pre-game show drew it out, and with Larkin not in the starting lineup, fans didn’t get a chance to cheer since his name didn’t come up. As soon as he stepped onto the ice, however, fans got their cue; while only a few started the “We want Larkin!” chant, many soon echoed it, much like the “Go Habs Go” chants often heard from the Bell Centre crowd.

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“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.”

The message was heard, but nothing indicates that it made the player change his mind. While it would have been news for the organization, a player’s friends and family will always have more sway with an athlete than a fanbase’s opinion.

“Meanwhile, none of the Canadiens’ players wished to comment much on the matter. 'It was the first time I experienced something like that,' said Zachary Bolduc. “I don’t really have any thoughts on the matter.”

Still, Larkin’s comment is understandable. We’ve seen the Bell Centre crowd cheer for former Habs or players who won Canada a gold medal at the Olympics during an opening ceremony, but not flat-out chant an opponent's name. It would have been a weird twist of fate if Larkin had scored in the shootout to end the game, but Jacob Fowleer was unbeatable on Saturday night. Bolduc mentioned that the “We Want Larkin” chant wasn’t heard at that stage of the game, smiling.

While the chant might not have led to a trade, it at least showed how invested Canadiens fans are and how closely they follow Kent Hughes’ attempts to improve his team.

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