The Detroit Red Wings underwent another late season collapse this past year that saw them narrowly miss out on the postseason after spending the vast majority of the campaign in a playoff spot.
The Red Wings own the longest playoff drought in the NHL that now spans a decade long after this latest miss. The Original Six franchise has not qualified for the postseason since 2016. Yet another disappointing finish has called into question the future construction of the club led by general manager Steve Yzerman.
After Yzerman’s end of year press conference where he flat out stated the team needs “better players,” many members of this squads future have been put in doubt. That includes team captain Dylan Larkin.
Dylan Larkin Expected to Remain in Detroit
Larkin’s name has been thrown out there as a potential trade chip if Detroit decided to reverse course and go in a new direction after years of mediocrity failing to breakthrough as a playoff contender. However, insider Elliotte Friedman has denied said rumors on the 32 Thoughts podcast: “I know everybody’s frustrated right now…but you would have to show me a trade for that guy (Larkin) that made any sense.”
Larkin has been a valuable player for the Red Wings throughout his 11-year tenure with the organization he was drafted by in 2014. He has been a consistent top-six offensive contributor who can also perform responsibly on the defensive side of the puck for his penalty kill prowess. Frustratingly for Larkin, he has not seen playoff hockey for Detroit since his rookie season in 2016.
While Larkin’s Red Wings once again missed out on playoff hockey, he did enjoy success outside of his Detroit obligations as he represented Team USA in the Winter Olympics. He was an important part of the team’s gold medal winning efforts as he recorded two goals and one assist in six games of the tournament.
This Will be a Busy Offseason for the Red Wings
Moving on from Larkin would be peculiar for what he provides to the Wings as a productive forward and leader. It would bring about quite a drastic retooling process as the current identity of the team runs through him. Therefore, it is not surprising to see Friedman shoot down said reports suggesting such a move.
With that being said, roster turnover will almost certainly be taking place in “Hockeytown” after the sharp words declared by Yzerman at the end of year presser. Detroit needs more depth to build around its core group that includes Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat and Moritz Seider if they wish to take that long awaited step forward in the standings next season.
It projects to be a busy offseason in Detroit as Yzerman has plenty of work in front of him when it comes to reconstructing this roster into a unit that can assert themselves from a mere hopeful to a true playoff contender. Few players appear safe in what forecasts to be a summer of movement in Motown as Yzerman aims to restore the organization’s faith in his long term vision.
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