Detroit Red Wings: Dylan Larkin continues to stay hot amid rumors

For many, Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is a fixture with the organization. He’s been around the team for years and is a major part of this team’s identity after sticking through the rebuild and growing up to become the team’s leader.

In 2022-23, the Detroit Red Wings captain is a pending unrestricted free agent, and the contract negotiations have not been the smoothest. While the two sides appear to be close, but the distance between the two continues to grow farther even if the numbers stay the same.

Neither side wants to budge. It sounds like 8×8 and 8×9 are the two selling points, with both camps adamant about sticking to their side. Red Wings General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman is not known to fork over money on contracts as easily as Ken Holland did, so a $1 million (per year) gap could be a big fork in the road.

But, for Larkin, he continues to hold to it that he wants $9 million per year, and his level of play backs it up night in and night out. Maybe not in Yzerman’s eyes or the eyes of some fans, but Larkin certainly has been hot.

Amid the contract and even trade talk rumors, Larkin finds ways to get it done on the ice. Something the Red Wings have to relish in, that the contract-year pressure and the drama around it are not seeping into his game.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin staying hot amid rumors.

In 2022-23, Larkin continued to get the job done. In 51 games, the Red Wings captain has 20 goals and 30 assists for 50 total points on the season. He continues to find the back of the net, and the scoring is a welcome site.

Beyond that, his efforts on Monday night proved enough to light a fire under the offense. They would eventually explode for six goals after Larkin scored two in the opening frame. Larkin has stayed in control of his game, and it’s showing on the scoresheet.

Even with the contract negotiations continuing to make waves in the news and even trade rumors. The surge of offense is a welcome site for Red Wings fans. Eventually, Yzerman will have to budge and come to an agreement with Larkin and his camp.

The other option is for Yzerman to capitalize on this offensive streak from Larkin, moving him to a competitor to recoup a nice trade package in return. While many would never have expected to trade Larkin coming into 2022-23, the team’s captain could be playing somewhere else before the season ends.

It still seems unlikely, but the surge in offense will only see his value move upward.