‘It was interesting’: Red Wings’ Larkin reacts to Canadiens fans chanting his name

Detroit Red Wings center, and their former captain, Dylan Larkin may not have gotten a warm reception when he was introduced at Little Caesars Arena this season, but he sure did at the Bell Centre on Saturday night when the Red Wings visited the Montreal Canadiens.

Larkin requested a trade out of Detroit, which owns the longest active Stanley Cup Playoff appearance drought in the league, this offseason, but has chosen to report to the team and play as one has yet to materialize.

The Montreal Canadiens could certainly use a quality top-six center to slot in behind Nick Suzuki, but according to multiple reports, Montreal is not on Larkin’s wish list to be his next team.

In a bid to change his mind, fans at the Bell Centre showered the 2014 first-round pick with chants of “We Want Larkin” early on in what wound up as a 1-0 victory for the Canadiens. Larkin noticed.

“It was interesting,” Larkin told reporters, including Sportsnet’s Eric Engels, after the game. “I never would have imagined that in this building in my career, but they’re passionate fans. In my opinion, it’s the best atmosphere in hockey, and they’re knowledgeable… They love their team, and that’s how I read into it.”

The Michigan native’s reported list of approved destinations reportedly started very small, contained to just the Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild and Florida Panthers. According to Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the list has grown to include more American teams like the Colorado Avalanche and Washington Capitals.

But still no Canadian teams, even as a deal between the two cubs would make plenty of sense for both sides. It’s early, but Detroit finds itself in last place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 1-3-1, which lines up with preseason expectations for the group. The Canadiens have a wealth of future assets general manager Kent Hughes could tap into to add a second impact center.

Larkin has two points, a goal and an assist, in his three appearances to start the season.