Canadiens’ Matthew Knies trade pursuit could inform Dylan Larkin move
Canadiens’ Matthew Knies trade pursuit could inform Dylan Larkin move originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
No matter how close you really believe the Montreal Canadiens were to acquiring Matthew Knies in a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs, that’s a potentially informative pursuit for the Habs.
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Because now, whoever they choose to go after this offseason, they’ll have already spent a bunch of time figuring out who they might be open to dealing.
Take, for example, Dylan Larkin.
The Canadiens aren’t on Larkin’s reported trade preference list, but they are a team that would make sense to pick up the phone and call Detroit anyway.
Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin writes that the Habs could certainly fit Larkin, if they’re willing to give up someone notable in return.
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“The Habs enjoyed an excellent 2025-26 playoff run and continue trending toward top-tier contender status, but their lack of a true No. 2 center was glaring in their Eastern Conference Final loss to the Carolina Hurricanes,” Matt Larkin writes. “It was the one position they needed to fill at the Trade Deadline, but they couldn’t with Patrik Laine’s $8.7-million cap hit hamstringing them. Is Montreal ready enough to go all-in that it would part with top center prospect Michael Hage, who is playing another year at Michigan? On the other hand, as is the case with Boston, would Yzerman want to deal his longtime captain to an Atlantic Division rival?”
MORE:Â Dylan Larkin’s trade request points out a major NHL flaw
The Michael Hage question is going to be the big one in every deal going forward.
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Apparently, the Habs may not have wanted to give up Hage for Knies.
If they wouldn’t give Hage up for Larkin, either, that might make this a moot point.
But if they believe Larkin is worth a price that starts with Hage, then the Red Wings might be wise to listen.
