Detroit Red Wings: Dylan Larkin continues to thrive and makes history

Detroit Red Wings future captain Dylan Larkin is quickly turning into a superstar right in front of our eyes.  He buried the game-winning overtime goal against the Preds on Friday night.

It was a record-breaking goal for Larkin, the overtime game-winner that gave the Detroit Red Wings a 4-3 victory over the Preds.  It was the first win over the last seven games for the Wings.  His four overtime game-winners in a single season breaks a franchise record of three held by Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan, and Herbie Lewis. Dylan Larkin is growing into a tremendous leader for the Detroit Red Wings.

I loved the decision the franchise made by not nominating a new captain immediately after the retirement of Henrik Zetterberg.

The idea of just slapping a captaincy “C” on the next up and comer just because it is the convenient thing to do would leave a bad taste in my mouth.  Dylan Larkin flew onto the scene in his rookie season playing exceptionally well.  He notched 23 goals and added 22 helpers totaling 45 points.  He was also a plus 11 on the season.

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The Detroit Red Wings future number one center fell into a sophomore slump the following season.  Larks was a minus -28 on the season and was only able to record 17 goals and 15 assists on the season.  It was a season that saw the young prospect regress some; he didn’t feel or look comfortable at all.

The third year, Jeff Blashill and the Detroit Red Wings franchise decided Larkin would move from the wing and play as a center.   They would allow him to struggle in the middle of the ice with all the responsibility that the position entitles.  It would pay off two years later (this season), the kid has been spectacular the first half of this season.

Last year his goal production dropped off to a mere 16 total, yet his point total trended upwards to a career-high 63.  Granted only a small sample size, a three-season audition but it seemed he had turned the corner.

Going into this season, Hank was forced to retire, leaving a gaping hole in the Detroit Red Wings lineup.  I thought Dylan Larkin had turned the corner, but you never know for sure.  It seems at the age of 22 Larks is thriving with the opportunity to become the new face of the franchise.

He is on pace for a 30 goal and 80 point season.  Jeff Blashill relies on Larkin for just about everything.  He’s the teams top center; he plays on the power play and penalty kill.  Although he is a minus -6 on the season, we need to remember the caliber of team he is playing for.  It is a rebuilding Detroit Red Wings team and to have a player like Larkin thrive with the opportunity to be the focal point is a win in itself for the franchise’s future.  He’s playing nearly 22 minutes a night which is a lot for any forward.

It would have been easy for Larkin to regress once again without his mentor Zetterberg playing alongside him every night.  Z retired the Wings decided to roll with four associate captains with Larkin being one of them.  Niklas Kronwall is what I call the “acting” captain, he answers after the questions during the losing streaks and terrible performances.

Larkin is getting used to dealing with the media, he speaks on a regular basis.  It was in the franchises’ best interest to place an “A” for a year on his sweater prior to the “C.”  I believe the “C” needs to be earned; I think Larkin’s play, his leadership during this mostly “down” season is getting him prepared to dawn the captaincy next season.  He’s not being awarded the role; he’s earning it.