Todd McLellan's honest comments on Dylan Larkin's worth as Red Wings captain unveils the true vibes in Detroit
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
While many fans doubt Dylan Larkin as a true leader to lead this Red Wings team back into the playoffs, Todd McLellan certainly believes the opposite.
Dylan Larkin was just named the NHL's first star of the week alongside Jack Eichel (2nd) and goaltender Scott Wedgewood (3rd), showing he has what it takes to lead this Red Wings group back into the postseason after a cold nine-year playoff drought.
The Red Wings center tallied up four goals and five assists for a total of nine points in just four games played this past week, all while the Red Wings have faced adversity, battling through injuries to top-line players, such as Lucas Raymond and, most recently, Patrick Kane.
Todd McLellan opens up on Dylan Larkin's role as Red Wings captain
After an early-season call-out from Todd McLellan to Dylan Larkin and other key players on the roster, the veteran head coach has certainly changed his mind on Larkin.
«Everything a captain should be,» coach Todd McLellan said. «Leadership - and leadership isn't just 'rah'rah,' a lot of times it's leading by example. He's done a tremendous job. We're early in the season, and he's playing banged up a little bit. But everything that we should see from Dylan, we're seeing from him right now.»
Many believed Larkin looked 'off' or was being held back by some sort of injury last season, and his on-ice effort really showed.
This season though, everything appears different with the 29-year-old forward from Waterford, Michigan, and he's crediting his hot start to a good and 'healthy' summer.
Dylan Larkin credits successful season start to a 'healthy' summer
«I had a good summer,» Larkin said. «A healthy summer. I think just positivity and carrying that over to the season. Playing with Finn and Ray. Playing with Apps when he came up. Great-skating guys that can think the game at a high speed. [They're] making it very easy. I don't have to be F1 on the forecheck and the first guy back to play defense. It takes a little bit of the load when you got two other guys that can skate, go help and do some of the heavy lifting to get the pucks back.»
The vibes in the Red Wings' locker room certainly seem much better than last season and with a 5 game winning streak currently ongoing, Detroit will look to extend it to six on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres.
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