If you told Detroit Red Wings fans a year ago that they'd be booing their (ex) captain and another team would root for him, most would assume you're crazy.
Well, the unthinkable has happened. During last night's game against the Montreal Canadiens, the strangest thing happened. Centre Bell erupted in cheers for Larkin the moment he touched the puck. Habs fans began a chant of "we want Larkin" that only grew louder and louder as time passed.
Weeks ago, the Canadiens made their interest in Larkin quite public. NHL insiders have posited the idea of Larkin to Montreal for some time. With that said, however, Larkin's recently expanded list did not include any Canadian teams.
Perhaps tonight's cheers changed that.
Larkin surprised by reaction
Perhaps no one else was more surprised than Larkin.
"It was interesting,” he told reporters in his post game press conference. “I never would have imagined that in this building in my career. 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.”
It was a stark contrast from Larkin's first game back in Detroit, where he was instead greeted by a chorus of boos from frustrated fans.
Of all the teams that would look to acquire Larkin, no other team carries the high-end assets that could benefit the Red Wings like the Habs. Prospect Michael Hage, a fellow University of Michigan graduate, would be an ideal replacement for Larkin on the team's top-six. Hage and fellow center prospect Alexander Zharovsky headline a strong prospect pool more than capable of providing assets for a Larkin deal.
In order to facilitate such a trade, however, Larkin would need to waive his no-trade clause -- or simply add Montreal to his list of preferred destinations.
Larkin dilemma a distraction in the locker room
Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan, ever a voice of reason in the locker room, didn't mince words when asked about Larkin.
“Our internal group, the guys that wear the uniforms, coaches, trainers, have done a real good job of shielding each other as much as they can and focusing on getting prepared to play,” McLellan said.
“I’d be lying if I said everything going on wasn’t a distraction, but we have a responsibility to each other to focus on what we can control and that’s what we do.”
To say it's a distraction is an understatement. It seems as if every post game press conference comes with additional questions about Larkin, his trade request, the status of the request and so on. It's a specter that looms in the locker room, haunting the team every time Larkin takes to the ice. The sooner the team - and Larkin, for that matter - can move on, the better they'll be in the long run. It's far too late to consider reconciliation at this point.
Eventually, there will come a time where Larkin no longer wears the Winged Wheel. Whether he's in Montreal or somewhere else is, ultimately, up to the front office and Larkin. But, until then, expect distractions like this to continue with each passing game.
Add us as a preferred source on Google