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Detroit Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin A Symbol of Change

ByAndrew Ketterer|

The last few years have been an awkward transition from old to new in Detroit, with several well-known veterans being pushed out, and young talent claiming their slice of the roster. Of course, this hasn’t happened without friction.

Loyalty to veteran players has always been a staple of the Holland-Babcock regime. For years, it took an arm and a leg for prospects to get their shot at the NHL level. Even when they exceeded every expectation set in front of them, prospects were buried in the AHL. It had become all too predictable.

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How many times did Darren Helm produce in the playoffs before getting a full-time role in Detroit? His tenure has since become a long list of injuries. It hurts to look back and think about it, but the prime of his career may have been spent in Grand Rapids. Sure, it’s nice to think that he “matured” and “developed” in the AHL, but isn’t it possible that the Red Wings wasted Helm’s most productive years?

The Dan Cleary situation is just painful. Seriously, does anyone out there understand why they keep signing him to one-year deals? If so, please let me know.

At times this loyalty has paid off, but the most common criticism of Babcock and Holland’s partnership is burying talent in the minors while veterans play far beyond their primes—the cause of the frustrating logjam we see in Grand Rapids today.

That entire philosophy shifted with Monday’s announcement.

Dylan Larkin has made the NHL roster. I repeat, the 19-year-old with no NHL experience has made Ken Holland’s opening-night roster.

Larkin is an unbelievable talent that many see as a future franchise player. In his first year at the University of Michigan, he rattled off 15 goals and 32 assists, earning him Big Ten Freshman of the Year and AHCA West Second-Team All-American honors.

Larkin, the 15th overall pick in 2014, is an excellent skater, enormously talented with the puck, and at just 19-years-old, seems to have the kind of hockey sense that can’t be taught. Larkin always seems to be around the puck, and buries when he has an opportunity. No doubt, he should be a difference maker in Detroit for years to come.

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

But beyond the talent of Dylan Larkin, this roster move signifies a change in mentality. With Babcock in Toronto and Blashill set to kick of his first regular season behind the bench in Detroit, there’s a major shift taking place in the front office.

Blashill coached the young talent on this roster in Grand Rapids, and led most of them to a Calder Cup Championship in 2013. He believes in the youth movement, and he likely had a major influence on the decision to keep Larkin on board for now.

It goes against what everyone may have predicted from Detroit, but in a good way. It’s refreshing that opportunity isn’t determined by age, but instead by talent. Frankly, a player’s youth shouldn’t determine his chances of making an NHL roster.

For far to long, a player’s age has factored into these decisions. With Blashill at the helm, it seems that Ken Holland is adjusting his philosophy to fit his new head coach. And if that means the Red Wings roster gets younger, faster and more talented, then kudos to Holland.

It’s an exciting time to be a Red Wings fan, and Larkin’s name on the opening-night roster is only the beginning.

Next: Larkin Makes Team--Hockeytown rejoices

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