|
Could Larkin be a Red Wing quicker than people think? |
|
|
|
|
|
The talk was about numbers and the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, as recently-signed free agents Brad Richards (17) and Mike Green (25) chose the digits they would wear next season, but quietly, another number was issued Thursday that raised some curiosity.
Center Dylan Larkin, Detroit’s top pick in the 2014 NHL entry draft and another recent signing, was handed No. 28.
That’s an NHL-ready number, but is Larkin and NHL-ready performer?
The Wings aren’t willing to rule that possibility as being out of the question.
“My take on Larkin would be he’s got to be in our top 12,” Detroit general manager Ken Holland said. “Coach (Jeff) Blashill’s got to say to me ‘I want him in the lineup.’
“He’s not going to be our 13th, 14th forward. Realistically, just to put him on the fourth line and play eight minutes, I think he’s a real good young player with a lot of potential. He’s going to be real important to our franchise as we go forward. We want to make sure we do what’s right for him and us.
“If he comes and is a legitimate top-nine forward we’re going to find a way to get him in the lineup. If he’s less than that, then we’ll sit down as an organization and decide.”
The Wings already jumped the shark with Larkin in terms of their usual approach to prospects, reaching out to sign him while still a teenager and turning him pro after his freshmen year with the Michigan Wolverines.
They dropped Larkin right into the fire, putting him into the Grand Rapids Griffins’ lineup in the midst of the AHL Calder Cup conference finals, and the kid didn’t look out of place.
“I thought he stepped right in our lineup and helped us win hockey games at the toughest moment, with only three teams left in the American Hockey League,” Blashill said. “There was lots of guys that will play in the NHL on that ice, so I thought he did a great job. But it’s a tiny sample size.
“I know he’s seemed to have passed all the tests in terms of small sample sizes, the world championships, world juniors, his freshman year at Michigan. He’s going to be a real good player, we’ll see when.
“We’ll see in camp how ready his is to make an impact. Like Ken said, can you make an impact? If you can make an impact and make our team better that’s great. If we’re not convinced of that than let’s let him continue to grow as a player so when he does come here he can make an impact right away.”
If Larkin has any say in the matter – and he does in a sense, simply by how he performs in training camp and pre-season games – he knows where he wants to start the 2015-16 season.
“I think I want to make the jump,” Larkin said. “I signed for a chance to play in the NHL and after my time in Grand Rapids, I’m more than comfortable spending time there. The coaches they brought in and the players we have, we’re going to have a good team again.
“I’m just going to training camp and having as much fun as possible and play in some games.”
The Wings won’t rush Larkin.
“I think sometimes with a young player you look at them and get excited about what they could be, and you see that potential,” Blashill said.
At the same time, if he shows he can cut it with the big boys in training camp, and considering the possibility that Pavel Datsyuk may start the season on injured reserve following ankle surgery, there could be an opening for Larkin to play in Detroit.
There’s no doubt that Larkin will play for the Wings. And it might just be sooner than most think.
Loading Up
The Wings added a couple of depth players, signing goalie Jared Coreau and left-winger Eric Tangradi to one-year contracts.
With Petr Mrazek moving up to the Wings, Coreau will find himself battling 2008 first-round pick Tom McCollum for playing time in Grand Rapids and to be first in line should a netminder be needed in Detroit.
Tangradi, who has put up 5-10-15 totals in 143 NHL games with Pittsburgh, Winnipeg and Montreal, will likely fill the veteran void in Grand Rapids left when Kevin Porter was not brought back for next season.
Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»