Detroit Red Wings: Dylan Larkin should be named captain in 2019

Ever since Henrik Zetterberg retired, the Detroit Red Wings haven’t named a new captain. Could it be Dylan Larkin?

The Detroit Red Wings are one of the NHL’s most storied franchises. They were one of the league’s original six teams. That’s why it’s weird the Red Wings don’t have a captain. While it’s true the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers are in the same boat, Detroit’s a different animal. Last season marked the first time in franchise history they’ve gone an entire season without a captain.

If the Red Wings want a new captain, they should look no further than Dylan Larkin. In a recent interview with TSN, the young forward was asked about being captain. Larkin seems to be willing and ready to take the lead.

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Larkin has learned under some impressive leaders. Henrik Zetterberg took him under his wing, serving as the Red Wings captain for the first three years of Larkin’s career before injuries cut his career short just before the 2018-19 season.

He has stepped up his game in a huge way over the past two seasons. In 2017-18, Larkin posted a career-high 47 assists and 63 points. Last season, he was asked to take a larger leadership role with Zetterberg gone. Larkin responded with an impressive season, leading the team with 32 goals, 41 assists, 73 points.

Furthermore, he started playing more during all situations, setting a career-high by averaging over 21 minutes of ice time per game. Larkin’s 21:51 of ice time per game was the ninth-highest among all forwards.

The list of players who averaged more ice time per game than him puts him in elite company. This list includes Connor McDavid, Patrick Kane, Leon Draisaitl, Sean Couturier, Nathan MacKinnon, Aleksander Barkov, Anze Kopitar, and Mark Scheifele. Three of those players (McDavid, Barkov, and Kopitar) are captains.

Larkin has already proven himself as a leader. He was one of the Red Wings four alternate captains last season, along with Niklas Kronwall, Frans Nielsen, and Justin Abdelkader. Neither of those three players seems appropriate to be the captain. Kronwall is nearing the end of his career while Abdelkader has seen his minutes drop, which wouldn’t make him an ideal captain.

Furthermore, Nielsen is signed for three more seasons, while Larkin is signed for four. Larkin would be the best choice for the captain if the Red Wings want one. New general manager Steve Yzerman, who was the longest-serving captain in NHL history with the Red Wings, surely understands the importance of having a team captain. Larkin seems willing to accept that responsibility.