Dylan Larkin on opening night roster

[number9 3,297]

I too do not want to see Jurco or Pulk sit. You'd have to figure Cleary and Andy would sit, but that still leaves one extra forward. I am so happy and excited that Dylan has made the club, but you're right, I also want to see the other two excel and given the chance. Maybe there will be someone else who will be sitting instead? I guess it's always a possibility...

Going back to my question about trade bait. I just meant that after you send Cleary and assumedly Andy to waivers, if you want to still keep Dylan here, do you just waive another of you more talented players and lose him for free or do you try to trade and get some return? It's going to be tough.

Anyone we'd waive probably doesn't have much trade value.

[LeftWinger 4,949]

True, but once Cleary and Andy get wiaved, now you would be looking into our bottom 6 players in order to keep Dylan. I would like to assume that Dylan would just be the one to go to GR since it makes the most business sense.

Ok, now that Dylan will be here Friday, I am hoping that he chooses a better number to wear. Maybe he chose 71 for a reason, but with camp over, there has to be a few others he can take. I look at the #22 Meile wore in camp. He was impressive, but I have a hard time believing he will ever make the club permanently and if he comes up once in a blue moon for injuries he can just don an oddball number. Heck, I am all for Mantha being here soon as well, but let Larkin have the #39 and make Mantha choose another one when he makes the team. I'd suggest #24 for him. Nothing against the reasons Dylan wore #71, but it just looks weird. I think he would look great in #22 or his #39. Oh well!

[e_prime 1,936]

Here's my bold prediction: Dylan Larkin will be sent down to Grand Rapids once Datsyuk and/or Helm are healthy whether he is tearing it up or not. Holland is not going to make roster moves to keep Larkin in the lineup. He may have to do so to keep the plethora of other forwards we have, but it won't be for Larkin.

[korrowan 111]

I too do not want to see Jurco or Pulk sit. You'd have to figure Cleary and Andy would sit, but that still leaves one extra forward. I am so happy and excited that Dylan has made the club, but you're right, I also want to see the other two excel and given the chance. Maybe there will be someone else who will be sitting instead? I guess it's always a possibility...

Going back to my question about trade bait. I just meant that after you send Cleary and assumedly Andy to waivers, if you want to still keep Dylan here, do you just waive another of you more talented players and lose him for free or do you try to trade and get some return? It's going to be tough.

Someone will be injured and Jurco has yet to show anything for the most part.

[rooter2309 28]

Stumbled upon this from a Mike Murangi draft preview from 2014. Shows how much he has exceeded expectations to this point.

14. Dallas Dylan Larkin C

After the blockbuster trade to get Tyler Seguin, the fast development of last year’s first round pick Valery Nichushkin, and the steady play of Jamie Benn, the Stars got back into the post-season and gave the Ducks all they could handle in the first round. GM Jim Nill will solidify his bottom six with the selection of Larkin. One of the best two way players in the entire draft, Larkin is gritty and a wiz in the faceoff circle. One scout told me “Larkin is a smaller version of Jarett Stoll of the LA Kings. He could be the best third-line center in the NHL in a few years”.

FTR, Murangi had us drafting now Bruins forward David Pastrnak.

[Dabura 12,207]

I'll obviously be rooting for the kid, and I'd love nothing more than to see him light it up and never play another game in the American League again. There's no doubt he's a star in the making, but he only turned 19 just a few months ago and has only played 6 games of pro hockey. I just would have preferred to see him start this season in Grand Rapids, and if he tore s*** up down there after a few months, then make the decision to call him up.

We have a ton of forward depth, even with Datsyuk and Helm out of the lineup, but this all but ensures that one or possibly both of Jurco and Pulkkinen will be out of the lineup on opening night, and that, I'm not okay with. I would rather have seen Zetterberg center the top line, Richards the second, Sheahan the third, and Glendening the forth, with Larkin centering the top line in Grand Rapids. There's no need for a fill-in center while Datsyuk is out, with those 4 guys down the middle. Larkin needs to be playing center, and they better not be planning on playing him on the wing like it has appeared in practices. We have enough healthy centers and enough wingers as well, with Abdelkader, Nyquist, Tatar, Jurco, Pulkkinen and Franzen in the top 9, and Miller, Ferraro and Andersson on the forth line. Helm will also be within the mix as soon as he's healthy, which could be as soon as opening night.

There is no need to rush this kid. And what about a guy like Athanasiou, who has been with the organization two years longer than Larkin, and arguably outplayed him in preseason? I'm not saying Andreas should have necessarily been on the team over Larkin, but I just think both should have started in Grand Rapids, with the amount of depth we have up front in Detroit...

Anyway, good luck Dylan, I hope you prove me wrong, stick with the big club, and are in the Calder conversation at the end of the season...

Simply put, the kid is That Good.

[Dabura 12,207]

Simply put, the kid is That Good.

In a few more words than that:

The belief is that he can be a weapon, that he can help us win games. That our chances of winning a given game are greater with him in the lineup than they would be without him in the lineup. He appears fully capable of stepping in and being a top-six impact player straight out of the gate. No sheltering him, no hiding him from tough matchups.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: this is the kind of kid who normally gets drafted in the top five or even three. This is the kind of kid organizations build around. This is a truly exceptional player.

What's great about it is our future hopes and dreams won't necessarily rest on his shoulders. With Mantha, Athanasiou, Nosek, and Bertuzzi knocking on the door and Svechnikov not too far behind, we have the pieces in place for an absolutely monstrous forward group.

[krsmith17 7,191]

The same way Mantha was "That Good" last year? or?...

I'm not saying he can't play in the NHL this year, I just don't think he should start the season in Detroit. I would much prefer to see him start the season down in Grand Rapids, and if he plays well enough and there are injuries down the middle in Detroit, then he should get his shot. I don't like the idea of an 18 year old kid, going from college, straight to the National Hockey League. My opinion.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

The same way Mantha was "That Good" last year? or?...

I'm not saying he can't play in the NHL this year, I just don't think he should start the season in Detroit. I would much prefer to see him start the season down in Grand Rapids, and if he plays well enough and there are injuries down the middle in Detroit, then he should get his shot. I don't like the idea of an 18 year old kid, going from college, straight to the National Hockey League. My opinion.

Couldn't agree more just look at another team and some of their young guns are deemed ready but are sent back by Lamoriello and Babcock to even learn more. Don't get me wrong I'm extremely happy for Larkin he has worked his butt off and earned this chance but I think once the season gets going it will be tough for him to keep up. The Crosby's and Bergeron's of the world in pre-season form are not the ones he is going to face night in and night out in the NHL. His talent level is awesome as is his performance but going straight to the NHL is an unreal beast for a 19 year old..not named Eichel or McDavid (both are going to take the NHL by storm).

Even if it's just temporally it would have made more sense to let him develop chemistry with Mantha and destroy the AHL and come up when he's fully ready to stay up for good and not get send down again.

[joesuffP 1,746]

If Larkin is an impact top 6 player that makes our team better then he is staying with the team. All hype aside it would be stupid for his development and for the wings as a team to be worse off just because he's 19 years old. If he's ready now, I highly doubt he'll ever reach a point in the next 3 years where the wings are kicking themselves thinking "I wish we never burned one of his entry years, I wish I could send him down to the minors now". If he's ready, he's ready. Sending him to dominate the AHL isn't going to make him even more readier. He needs to play against the best of the best. Having said that, he would have to look very very good for him to stick with the team, but writing him off regardless of his performance we have yet to see makes no sense

[kickazz 5,459]

Watching him play in the preseason games I realized he was much closer to being ready than previously assumed.

Not sure.. I'm a bit confused at this point. The Babcock/Holland in me tells me its too early if he stayed up here long term. The excited fan guy in me tells me its not.

But I'm easily convinced so I guess we will see.

I think a fair assessment can only be made after he plays a few regular season games. If he shines.. Then I guess you can't really argue if he should be sent down..

The problem with Jurco situation was he played 4th line.. If Larkin is playing first line with Zetterberg, I honestly can't imagine a better way to groom up a player for the NHL

Edited October 7, 2015 by kickazz

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

The Mantha comparison isn't valid. He never had a chance to capitalize on his hype because he broke his leg. Larkin stayed healthy, and impressed so much that he made the roster. He'll probably go back to GR at some point this year, but only because of the numbers game. He's NHL ready.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

Watching him play in the preseason games I realized he was much closer to being ready than previously assumed.

Not sure.. I'm a bit confused at this point. The Babcock/Holland in me tells me its too early if he stayed up here long term. The excited fan guy in me tells me its not.

But I'm easily convinced so I guess we will see.

I think a fair assessment can only be made after he plays a few regular season games. If he shines.. Then I guess you can't really argue if he should be sent down..

The problem with Jurco situation was he played 4th line.. If Larkin is playing first line with Zetterberg, I honestly can't imagine a better way to groom up a player for the NHL

The thing is too, that he already is very disciplined and you can tell he works hard on his game. If he can learn from a guy like datsyuk or z at 19 he will be that much better, that much faster. Yes probably the perfect candidate for them to groom

[gcom007 1,465]

The thing is too, that he already is very disciplined and you can tell he works hard on his game. If he can learn from a guy like datsyuk or z at 19 he will be that much better, that much faster. Yes probably the perfect candidate for them to groom

This is the biggest reason I'm cool with him coming up this early. He likely is more ready than not ready, and the more time he gets with Dats and Z, the better.

[number9 3,297]

Yeah I thought the general rule was don't use the kids, unless you have to, until they're overripe. Perhaps Larkin is overripe?

We haven't had a Zberg/Datsyuk level prospect in a long time. Maybe he's that level.

Edited October 7, 2015 by number9

[Jacksoni 418]

Yeah I thought the general rule was don't use the kids, unless you have to, until they're overripe. Perhaps Larkin is overripe?

We haven't had a Zberg/Datsyuk level prospect in a long time. Maybe he's that level.

Judging from what I've heard Zetterberg saying about Larkin in interveiws echoes what management did as to letting him stay on the Wings Roster for now, which is that he has the skill and the mindset to absorb what the team superstars can teach him.

In other words he is a superstar candidate, Z/Datsyuk level when they came in.

.

I'm predicting he's on the roster until December, which I claim is when Datsyuk will be back (Red Wings say November). His presence adds a dimension of drama for our early season games and despite wanting him in Grand Rapids this season I'm very excited to watch him play a dozen games with the best.

[LeftWinger 4,949]

forgive me for being a stickler, but if he is on the roster into December, then he will for sure play more than just a dozen games. You point is well taken though and agreed with! If he plays like he did preseason, he is going to be hard to send down when the time comes. If that time ever comes.

[krsmith17 7,191]

I'm not opposed to Larkin playing with the Wings this season, I'm just not a fan of him being handed the spot out of training camp, without spending any time down in the minors (aside from the six games last playoffs). If he started the season down in Grand Rapids, and was tearing s*** up, then by all means, give him a shot up with the Wings. However, with him making the roster out of camp, if he plays as well as management, media and fans think he will, I don't think he should be sent back down again, even when Datsyuk returns. To me, that would be poor management. You give the kid a shot based on a solid training camp, when he probably should have started in the minors, then he proves himself in real games, and you send him down then? Doesn't look good in my opinion. That's when Holland should be forced to make some tough decisions, and clean up this roster a little bit. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I do believe there is such thing as too much depth... We have too many players, and not enough roster spots...

[LeftWinger 4,949]

which leads us back to my question from before, IF Larkin is just too good to send down, Dats and Helm come back 100%, we have no other injuries, Cleary and Andersson are waived, who gets waived also or traded away to make room for Larkin? Not that we know the answer for sure, but what are your thoughts? Miller? Glenny? Helm? Jurco? Ferraro?

[frankgrimes 1,836]

I think we are going to go there once that happens as of right now nobody knows if Larkin will stay or not.

But if he is good enough then I guess Holland will try to package a few players (Jurco +) to land us another defender.

[krsmith17 7,191]

A trade would obviously need to be made, who would be involved? I have no idea. I'm a big fan of Helm, but that is one name (that actually has value) that I would be willing to throw out there. To be honest though, no matter how overloaded the roster becomes, I doubt we'll see a big trade with a top end player coming back to Detroit. Holland is a great general manager, but one thing he has been reluctant to do, since the salary cap has been implemented, is make big trades...

[joesuffP 1,746]

Helm, Jurco and Smith all expendable with value and we don't lose much replacing any of them with somebody from GR

I'd love to bring over Buff, but I feel like Columbus will land him

Edited October 7, 2015 by joesuffP

[rick zombo 3,739]

Evertone's favourite bald NBC hockey analyst just had this to say about Larkin

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/10/red_wings_dylan_larkin_among_e.html

"I'm a big Dylan Larkin fan," said McGuire, who watched Larkin play for Michigan as well as Team USA in the World Junior Championship last season. "What stood out to me was his speed. His two‑step acceleration was as good or better than anybody's in the tournament."

"Most people have to go through Grand Rapids before they get an opportunity to play in Detroit. Dylan Larkin is beyond that. I think he's going to be a phenomenal player in Detroit for a very long period of time, and I think he has a legitimate chance to rival both McDavid and Eichel to be Rookie of the Year in the National Hockey League."

Edited October 7, 2015 by rick zombo

[Jacksoni 418]

forgive me for being a stickler, but if he is on the roster into December, then he will for sure play more than just a dozen games. You point is well taken though and agreed with! If he plays like he did preseason, he is going to be hard to send down when the time comes. If that time ever comes.

I know, I even pondered adjusting the number of games but decided to let it stay at dozen. The reason is I suspect he'll get 12, maybe max 20 games, before being sent down, IF he gets sent down. So in other words maybe sent down before Datsyuk is back. It's all a little bit hazy, let's wait a few games and see where he's at when going against the top6 of the opposing teams. Now that'll be something to watch.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

I'm not opposed to Larkin playing with the Wings this season, I'm just not a fan of him being handed the spot out of training camp, without spending any time down in the minors (aside from the six games last playoffs). If he started the season down in Grand Rapids, and was tearing s*** up, then by all means, give him a shot up with the Wings. However, with him making the roster out of camp, if he plays as well as management, media and fans think he will, I don't think he should be sent back down again, even when Datsyuk returns. To me, that would be poor management. You give the kid a shot based on a solid training camp, when he probably should have started in the minors, then he proves himself in real games, and you send him down then? Doesn't look good in my opinion. That's when Holland should be forced to make some tough decisions, and clean up this roster a little bit. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I do believe there is such thing as too much depth... We have too many players, and not enough roster spots...

He earned the spot. With his play in the preseason, in GR playoffs last year, College, Worlds, World Juniors, Prospect camp. Excelled everywhere. No player's had that resume of success coming in. GR is for getting ready for the NHL - not a prison that you have to do your time. Guy has worked his ass off and played probably the more hockey last year than anyone his age. Quit college for the opportunity to play with us as soon as possible. He wasn't handed a spot!

I'm sure he will be sent down and that will good for his development. If the deal is that he skipped the AHL, he didn't - he played those 6 playoff games last year. He stepped in playoff levels of play and did great - so we have seen what he can do at that level. You could think of this as his first call-up that just happens to be at the beginning of the year.

We've sent down plenty of players after they played great for us and proven themselves in real games. Mrazek, Nyquist...

I think this is exciting and I don't see the negative angle. Only wish Jurco was in, but honestly Larkin looked better than Jurco and Pulkkinen in the preseason.