Red Wings may look to young star sooner rather than later.
Adding veterans Brad Richards and Mike Green to a team that needs little improvement to reach the playoffs consecutively for the past quarter century almost seems unfair. Stars like Datsyuk and Captain Zetterberg are steering the ship with youngster like Tomas Tartar and Justin Abdelkader acting as cannons doing damage to whatever may cross their path. New head coach Jeff Blashill came up through the AHL system and has a staff with hall of fame assistants like Tony Granato and Chris Chelios. The entire organization is like a dream team.
Blashill has yet another ace up his sleeve, one that may be played early as this season if he feels necessary. 19 year-old Dylan Larkin has done nothing but impress on his path through Michigan, Team USA and Grand Rapids which leaves little doubt that he is NHL ready. There’s no reason to rush the young talent, however the left handed shot of Larkin may find a comfortable home at the right wing where Detroit is thin.
Although his natural position is at center, in a pinch Blashill may decide to use the young forward at wing. Larkin was used all over for Team USA and his coach in Grand Rapids, Blashill, may decide his nearly a point per game status may be too good not to bring to a franchise desperate to raise Lord Stanley’s Cup yet again. Dylan Larkin will find himself as quite possibly the missing piece to a team so close to championship.
Born and raised in Mesa, Arizona and introduced to hockey at an early age by his brother-in-law Will was benefitted by the Winnipeg Jets move to the valley. As a teen he joined the AZ Desert Youth Hockey Association (DYHA) competing in the Minor Division before promoting to the Premiere League Tier II Division. He also played at the famous ‘Spectrum Arena’ facilities for Inline Hockey Association Arizona (IHAAZ) in Chandler as a part of team ‘GEAR DRIVE’ a top travel program. He continues to participate in Coyote Adult Hockey Leagues in both Chandler and Scottsdale. He attended Mesa Community College and studied Business and Creative Writing while on a Journalism Scholarship. The father of 3 is currently an Operations Manager for ELITE PERSONAL TRAINING AND GYM in Mesa, AZ.