One of the biggest questions surrounding the Detroit Red Wings at this current time is the future of captain Dylan Larkin with the franchise. As it currently stands, Larkin is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, and has reportedly already turned down an alleged contract offer of $64 million over eight years.
Per Helene St. James of The Detroit Free Press:
"Yzerman has offered Larkin, 26, eight years and $64 million, but Larkin's side can use the eight-year, $73.2 million ($9.15 million annual average value) deal the Islanders gave Mathew Barzal in October as an example in countering."
While this news may come as an eye-opener for Red Wings fans, one particular figure isn't worried whatsoever about Larkin's future in the Motor City. According to former Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios, general manager Steve Yzerman will "do everything in his power" to get a deal done with the homegrown Larkin, who hails from Michigan and also played collegiately with the University of Michigan Wolverines.
"Being in Detroit when Larks broke in, I got a chance to see him at Michigan and the way that he's evolved and matured and accepted the role," Chelios explained. "Really, most important was being able to play with guys like Datsyuk and Zetterberg....great leaders and winners. He's fallen into that as a leader and he competes."
"Knowing Steve Yzerman of how he handled (Steven) Stamkos and (Nikita) Kucherov and a few of those other guys when their contracts were down in Tampa, I think he'll do everything in his power to get Larks signed. He's a local kid and he belongs as a Red Wing."
Well, there you have it. There are those who are certainly a bit surprised that a deal hasn't materialized as of yet between the two sides, but you never know what the deeply calculating mind of Yzerman is thinking. He's certainly demonstrated in the front office that just like during his playing days, he has no shortage of tricks up his sleeve.
