Dylan Larkin should have set a better example for his team.
And for the record, it's completely understandable why Larkin called out Steve Yzerman at the end-of-season press conference. No one should be upset about what Larkin did, but was there a better way to underline it?
Absolutely.
Colorado Avalanche provides a blueprint for Detroit Red Wings leadership group
The Colorado Avalanche had their worst campaign in franchise history during the 2016-17 season, in which they accumulated just 48 points. Gabriel Landeskog was the captain then and is still the captain today. And the reason for that is his indelible leadership and remarkable ability to get the best out of every guy he works with.
Why did so many players from that team want to stick around? Ask players like Nathan MacKinnon, Erik Johnson, Mikko Rantanen, and Tyson Barrie, and they'll tell you Landeskog inspired them to hang tough. The best times are yet to come. Let's stick together. Of course, the salary cap forced many changes, but you get the point. Some of the core guys stuck together, resulting in a Stanley Cup championship.
Aside from his leadership skills, Landeskog's true testament to his intestinal fortitude was on full display Saturday night at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Following a chronic knee injury, subsequent cartilage transplant surgery, and near three-year-layoff, Landeskog, in just his second game back, blasted home a slap shot by one of the sport's finest netminders today in Jake Oettinger to send the Colorado fans into ecstasy. It's one of the greatest comeback stories of all-time. And once Landeskog returned to the bench, who was the first guy to give him his props? It was MacKinnon—two guys who have seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows together.
Some may say, 'Well, this is different. The Red Wings haven't made the playoffs in nine years. Don't compare the two.' Oh, we will. Larkin has been on the team since 2015, and he's been the captain for five years. He has younger players who look up to him to be an example. Young hockey players were surely watching that press conference. They could think, 'Hey, it's totally okay to all out my coaches and possibly embarrass them in public.' That sets a poor precedent.
If Larkin is that unhappy, be free
But as we previously stated, being stuck in such a rough environment has taken a toll on Larkin. On the same token, if he felt this way before, why sign an eight-year extension in March 2023? Perhaps he believed in the mission then. Maybe he still believes in the long-term goals of this Red Wings organization, but one thing is clear: he's not confident that management can get them out of this situation.
However, as a captain, the least Larkin can do is push his hardest and motivate those around him. If your captain is acting dolorous, what will the rest of the team do? They're going to follow suit.
A better strategy could have been an internal meeting with him and Yzerman. And if that has already taken place, keep trying. But calling out your bosses in public is generally frowned upon. Several years back, a young Matt Duchene drove a wedge between himself and his Avalanche teammates.
Sure, Duchene was coming to every practice, and he was never late, but when he was there, it was hard for many players to be around him because there was nothing but negativity. Duchene got the trade that he wanted. His dream was to be on a playoff-contending team and win the Stanley Cup, which he still hasn't won. But the same people Duchene irritated on the way out the door, some of those guys have their names inscribed on the Cup. It's also important to note that Duchene has matured significantly since his departure from Colorado and is a great family man, but many fans still hold a grudge against him.
If Larkin can make this work, he will treasure both the arduous moments of this journey and the triumphant ones.
There's no reason why the Red Wings can't make the playoffs next season. They have a great head coach in Todd McClellan and a roster that is inundated with talent. But if Larkin doesn't trust his management and continues to lead from the side of cataclysm, he either needs to surrender the 'C' to someone who can do a better job, or he should request a trade for his sanity.
The first thing he would have to do is waive his no-trade clause. Per his deal, he has a full no-trade clause through the 2027-28 campaign, followed by a modified contract for the final three years of his deal. Chances are, Larkin won't even have to worry about it.