Detroit Red Wings Dylan Larkin isn’t going anywhere

Is it the dead of summer? It sure feels like it with all these rumors circulating.

First, there were talks about Jacob Trouba coming to the Detroit Red Wings, which, according to some words online, was pretty likely while the player wasn’t aware the team was ever in the mix of options, to Brady Tkachuk hopping into various trade rumors. These were all fun and dandy.

Then, words cut deeper. 

Chris Johnston is a National Hockey League (NHL) insider who provides insights into the happenings around the league, including trades. 

The post gained enough traction that Detroit Red Wings fans and NHL people weren’t sure what to believe. Then, Johnston himself tweeted officially:

Turns out it was just a sour Ottawa Senators fan. Talk about living rent-free in another one's space. Zoinks.

There are many things to be thankful for in life. Finding a good TV show to watch, family and friends, good health, oh and learning that your team’s captain isn’t ready to abandon ship just yet.

Dylan Larkin has gone through peaks and valleys, but mainly valleys. Possibly trenches. That rival the Marianas Trench and beyond, but regardless of how deep the bottomless pit of despair goes Larkin is buckled in for the long haul.

Dylan Larkin isn’t leaving the Detroit Red Wings, and we wouldn’t have it any other way

The engine that drives this team is Larkin. There’s no two ways about it, he’s the driving force behind his team. 

He doesn’t make excuses for poor results. Instead, Larkin keeps trucking along hoping for a brighter tomorrow.

While the light that was shining last year seems to be dwindling, Larkin is finding help arriving. Albeit slower than fans, and he might hope, players like Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper are making a positive impact on their team. Providing reliable, strong minutes for their team, they too are building the foundations for the future dynasty that Steve Yzerman is meticulously crafting.

Larkin is the pilar in this rendition of the Detroit Red Wings. 

Regardless of when the Detroit Red Wings realistically chase Lord Stanley, no matter the role or line Larkin plays on, he will be just as important then as he is to the team now.

I’ll admit there are times that Larkin might be a little too calm, cool, and collected for my tastes. Or, maybe he tries to do too much on his own without either using or waiting for reinforcements. Then other times, Larkin tries to spread the wealth giving other players a chance to shoot when he might have had the best chance of anyone.

Of course, hindsight is 20/20.

I believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that everything Larkin does is because he thinks it's best for his team. He desperately wants to win so badly. 

We can read those words dart across his face. 

It’s likely he knows that everything will work out and that everything will be okay. That his team will only get stronger from the treacherous times he’s going through right now. 

The Detroit Red Wings aren’t pretty to watch. I can’t imagine it’s a fun style of hockey to play. 

We can blame Yzerman for the roster construction and hideous contracts to free agents or the offensive lineup decisions he trots out each game all we want. (The fact that Larkin still buys what Lalonde is selling might be a big part of why Lalonde is still the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings). These challenges hardly matter to a player who isn’t getting younger. He wants to win now, yet chooses to remain with his Detroit Red Wings 

Thankfully, there haven’t been testy moments between management and Larkin (except for the contract negotiations, but even those weren’t as bad as they could’ve been), so the good relationship with Larkin probably helps things overall (and his willingness to stay with you know what they say people don’t quit jobs but people). 

Hopefully, the break with the 4 Nations Face-Off games help Larkin reset as he and his team seem to be in a rut. It’s not from a lack of will or effort, but it’s just not working out for whatever reason. The puck bounces, luck, or even hockey gods—whatever reasoning floats your boat. So, having a change of pace and even playing against his buddy Lucas Raymond might help put Larkin and the Detroit Red Wings back on track. 

Regardless of what happens, it’s nice to have confidence in my captain. He is still an elite skater, effective playmaker, shooter, and overall leader of his team. 

Without him, the Detroit Red Wings would be completely lost and in the dark. 

As much as I love the young guys and the new energy they bring to the team, I firmly believe that Larkin is the most important player on the team now and for as long as he wants to play ice hockey. 

He is D-Boss, after all.