Sep 24, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Tyler Bertuzzi (59) receives congratulations from center Dylan Larkin (71) after scoring in the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Trending UP: Dylan Larkin
Foreshadowing?
Dylan Larkin... Born to be a Red Wing 🐙 pic.twitter.com/4eGUUZXdCk
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) September 25, 2015
What else can this kid do? I am always cautious in terms of heaping praise on prospects because there’s enough pressure on their shoulders. But Larkin? Well, there’s a young prospect drafted by the Red Wings in 1983 that could draw comparisons. Leadership. Scoring. Maturity. And he boasts the two-way game that Steve Yzerman embraced later in his career–that eventually won him those 3 Stanley Cups.
Larkin has been outstanding in his two preseason games. He’s forcing Ken Holland’s hand early, and while we all felt that Larkin was the future of Red Wings hockey, he’s done everything to surpass those expectations. If not for a disallowed goal, Larkin would have had a hat trick. From Brendan Savage:
"“They did a good job,” Blashill said. “I think Dylan has a maturity level way beyond his years. That’s one thing that struck me right away when he came to play for us last year in Grand Rapids. He has a real maturity level to him. “He’s got a real good quiet confidence. He doesn’t have that fake bravado confidence. He’s just a confident kid, but a down-to-earth kid. He doesn’t let things bother him and he’s very competitive. “That’s not to say there’s not errors. Yes, he does need to continue to grow … but sometimes that competitiveness gets the best of him. But he’s a real, real mature person.”"
Your move Kenny.
Next: Trending UP: Teemu Pulkkinen