Through some of the Detroit Red Wings' darkest days, Dylan Larkin has been the one constant. He transformed into a player the Wings could build around, and has become a vocal leader in the locker room.
Firmly entrenched in his prime, Larkin has, for the most part, stayed patient throughout the Yzerplan's massive rebuild. Even when the Wings didn't look like they were going anywhere, Larkin still gave fans a reason to tune into games because he constantly gave those backing the Winged Wheel hope that things would start turning around.
That hope is looking like a reality in 2025-26, with the Wings leading the Atlantic Division at the Christmas break. As for Larkin, he keeps doing the unthinkable, most recently joining a club whose only two members are Red Wings legends Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.
Dave Hogg of NHL.com wrote that "Larkin recorded his fifth consecutive 20-goal season and became only the third Red Wings player in the past 20 years to accomplish the feat. The others are Henrik Zetterberg (seven from 2005-06 to 2011-12) and Pavel Datsyuk (seven from 2003-04 to 2010-11)."
Dylan Larkin isn't finished reaching milestones with the Detroit Red Wings in 2025-26
Here's another interesting tidbit: Larkin has scored at least 30 goals per year dating back to 2021-22, when he put up 31 in 71 contests. Should he keep up this high-octane pace, there is no doubt that Larkin will at least hit the 30-goal mark again. He's on pace for 43 goals, which would shatter his career-high of the 33 he accumulated in 2023-24 across just 68 contests.
Since his four-year streak of 30-plus goals began, Larkin has averaged 31.5 goals, 40.3 assists, and 71.8 points across an average of 75 games per year. For some bad and stagnating Red Wings teams, those are good numbers. Now that the Wings look like legitimate contenders, it will only help Larkin further improve his stock as one of the best players to wear the Winged Wheel.
Larkin isn't the only one on track to set some serious milestones. Lucas Raymond is pacing the Wings with 41 points and 11 goals in 36 games. He's transformed into one of the NHL's best playmakers and could easily finish the year with over a point per game.
Alex DeBrincat has also been on track for a career-best in points, with 40 in 38 contests, and so has Moritz Seider, who has 29 in 38 games. Should the Red Wings stay hot during the second half of the season, look for Larkin to do more than just join the Five Consecutive Seasons of 20-Plus Goals Club, and he's taking a few other stars to new heights with him.