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Larkin maturing into his role

October 17, 2017, 8:52 PM ET [22 Comments]
Bob Duff
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Dylan Larkin did something in Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning that he’d never achieved prior in his NHL career.

Being asked to play a more significant role in the Detroit scheme of things, Larkin skated a career-high 24:33 during the game.

“I wish would have had something to show for the amount of minutes, but I guess it’s good,” Larkin lamented. “I feel good on the penalty kill and being trusted feels good.”

A year ago, when Pavel Datsyuk exited stage left, escaping the last season of his contract with the Wings, sophomore NHLer Larkin was thrust into a more demanding role as Detroit’s second-line center, and it was clear from the outset that at the age of 20, he originally wasn’t equipped to carry that load.

By the end of the season, though, Larkin began showing the traits required to succeed in the role. He was playing a more responsible two-way game. And whereas in the past teams took physical liberties with Larkin, he began to display a bit of an edge to his game.

“I think that’s an important part,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “For him to be an elite player, there might be other guys who score more points, so he’s got to be that guy who can play against the other team’s best players and frustrate them.

“I noticed he was different at the end of last year and he was different (playing for Team USA) in the world championships. It’s just the maturation of a player.

“He’s playing a complete hockey game, doing things that help teams win.”

There is little that the Wings do that Larkin doesn’t do. Larkin is working the Detroit power play, and he’s helping out on the penalty kill.

“Twenty-four (minutes) is more than I want,” Blashill admitted. “We’d like to keep it between 18 and 21. But there are going to be times that’s just the way it goes.

“The one thing with Dylan is he can skate. He doesn’t seem to tire out. I didn’t think he was fatigued as the game went along so he’s able to handle the minutes.”

Whatever the Wings want from Larkin, he’s prepared to deliver.

“It’s better than sitting on the bench,” Larkin said.

If the Wings are going to improve this season, one element required in any steps forward will be Larkin emerging as a star player and Blashill believes his pupil is evolving steadily along in that process.

What I think is his No. 1 quality is inner drive,” Blashill said. “I think inner drive separates professional athletes from good to great and he’s got big-time inner drive, and a rink rat mentality to go along with that inner drive.

“He doesn’t just work hard. He doesn’t just have that drive off the ice. He also loves just being around and finding new tricks, finding new ways to do thing. He’s learned from (Henrik) Zetterberg in how to manipulate the puck. He learned when Pav was here in certain things.

“It’s fun to watch.”

Howe About That?
As the Wings prepare for Wednesday’s game at Toronto, it’s a good time to remember that Monday was the anniversary of Gordie Howe’s first NHL game with the Wings and it was against the Leafs.

Howe scored on Leafs goalie Turk Broda at 13:39 of the second period of a 3-3 tie, with assists going to Adam Brown and Sid Abel. A curious footnote to the goal was that all three players who figured in it would father future Red Wings.

Gordie Howe’s son and fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Howe suited up from the Wings from 1992-95. Sid Abel’s son Gerry Abel played one game for the Wings in 1966-67 and Adam Brown’s son Andy Brown, the NHL’s last maskless netminder, tended goal for the Wings from 1971-73.

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