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Detroit Red Wings: The Importance of Dylan Larkin

By Brian Wallace

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 23: Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) handles the puck during the third period in the preseason game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings on September 23, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 23: Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) handles the puck during the third period in the preseason game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings on September 23, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA.The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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He does not get the press players like Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews and other young studs around the NHL get. Nor will he make their money. With a Detroit Red Wings fan base Filip Zadina has a lot of attention right now.

It is 22-year-old Dylan Larkin; the front office has I.D’d as the one who will lead the Wings through the rebuild. He is a newly named alternate captain. As not a replacement for longtime Detroit Red Wings captain, Henrik Zetterberg has been tabbed just yet. Many inside and outside the organization fully expect Dylan Larkin to be crowned with the “C” as early as next season.

It is Larkin’s focus and his growth as a player that makes him the correct choice to spearhead the franchise forward. It is his pure love for the game that has the attention of his teammates and peers around the league.

Former Detroit legend and hall of fame center Steve Yzerman is a benchmark for how not only center’s are to be judged in Motown, but also captain. Larkin is often thought of in the same breath as Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews.  However, Larkin has more speed.

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It is Larkin’s speed that sets him apart. He is relentless in his pursuit to retrieve the puck.  As he showed opening night vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dylan has pinpoint passing skills. His pass to a streaking Dennis Cholowski was an absolute beauty.

I look for Dylan Larkin to push 20+ goals and push his assist up. He is a points machine. Something the young Red Wings need. He is undaunted by the task. He is point blank in his team assessment

"“We are going to be a tough team and a fun team.”-Dylan Larkin"

It is worth noting that Larks (as he is known to teammates) is not saying this season. He has a big-picture view of his team.

Growing up in Michigan, Larkin is the perfect player to build around. He watched Stanley Cup banners raise to the rafters at Joe Louis Arena. I believe he is chomping at the bit to lead a banner raising at Little Caesars Arena.

The other fact that should not be lost in all of this is that Dylan Larkin came to a team friendly contract extension. He could have held out for more money. He did not, and he stated he wanted the team to have the flexibility to sign free agents. That is the stuff of captains right there.

The Rebuild Hinges on Youth. dark. Next

I look for Larks to continue to push forward and take another step this season. He has shown nothing less.

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