Predicting the 2018/19 Detroit Red Wings Team leaders
By Bob Heyrman
![DETROIT, MI - MARCH 31: Andreas Athanasiou #72 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his third period goal with teammates in front of Mike Condon #1 of the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena on March 31, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 2-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) DETROIT, MI - MARCH 31: Andreas Athanasiou #72 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his third period goal with teammates in front of Mike Condon #1 of the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena on March 31, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 2-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/4d59f452ed5309217d949b9d559e38eef86d3b7c7de57db6fcc7a0743a747973.jpg)
Assists/Points: Dylan Larkin
Dylan Larkin has been the best young playmaker the Detroit Red Wings have had in quite some time. Larkin will anchor the club’s top line, again playing like the Wings number one center.
Along with being a staple on the top line, Larkin will serve as a member of the top power play. In addition, he will find himself on the second penalty kill unit. Ice-time and opportunity won’t be a question for the dynamic forward.
Larkin led the Detroit Red Wings in assists and points last season; we expect things will be more of the same this season. Larkin led all Wings forward in ice-time in 17/18 averaging 19:51 a game. Larkin will lead the way likely eclipsing the 21-minute mark this season.
The Detroit Red Wings will call on their bell-cow early and often this season to pace the offense. I am expecting a 22 goal season, and team-leading 51 assists totaling 73 points. It would be a 10 point increase from last season. I don’t think it is too much to ask from a teams number one center who just signed a five-year contract extension.