As NHL All-Star weekend gets underway, Red Wings’ captain Dylan Larkin has bigger issues on his mind than winning Friday night’s fastest skater competition.
Larkin, 26, will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer, a topic he wasn’t able to avoid during media day on Thursday. Despite seemingly reaching an impasse with Red Wings brass, Larkin maintained that he wants to remain in Detroit.
“I’ve said it all along and I stand by it, I really see myself as a Red Wing,” said Larkin, Detroit’s lone All-Star. “It’s my first time in this position as an unrestricted free agent, but I doubt contracts really ever go smoothly until they’re done.”
Larkin didn’t seem to put stock in reports that he and Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman didn’t see eye-to-eye on an eight-year, $64 million extension.
“I think it’s not really the most truthful,” Larkin told the media. “It’s just speculation, and I don’t really read into that too much.”
Larkin, a Michigan native and former Wolverine, is still a significant part of the Red Wings as they continue their ascent from the basement of the Eastern Conference.
Aside from being the team’s leader in points (43) and goals (15, tied with Lucas Raymond), Larkin’s off-ice contribution remains vital. A young veteran and former top prospect alike, the career Red Wing (so far) is a voice in the locker room that can relate to up-and-coming NHLers like Raymond and Moritz Seider and savvy, longtime pros like David Perron and Ben Chiarot alike.
Neither the strength of the Red Wings youth movement nor the team’s consistent improvement is lost on Larkin.
“I’m very excited about some of the guys we’ve drafted and some of the guys we’ve developed through their young careers,” Larkin said. “I want to play on a good team, and I think we have the guys in our room to win. That’s what’s been a blessing – being able to focus on that and let the other stuff take care of itself.”
After the break, Larkin and the Red Wings will try to close a six-point gap between themselves and the second wildcard spot during a three-game home stand against the Oilers, Flames and Canucks.
