Hanging Hopes On A 20-Year-Old

The Detroit Red Wings will certainly count on one of their most promising young forwards to build off of a solid 2015-2016 and continue developing into an all-around player this season.

 

Selected 15th overall at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, 20-year-old Dylan Larkin’s 23 goals and 45 points in 80 games last season show encouraging signs for the future. With head coach Jeff Blashill announcing yesterday that captain Henrik Zetterberg will play on Larkin’s wing this year, the sophomore will be offered an opportunity to become the team’s number one center.

 

His speed and his size form a rare combination in today’s NHL, and many experts have him listed as an elite prospect who adds natural talent to his excellent set of skills. Moreover, his work ethic has been praised by ESPN’s Corey Pronman, who ranked Larkin as #9 on his list of top 25 players under 25 years of age.

 

Playing out a potentially successful but final season at the Joe Louis Arena should motivate players donning the red and white to aim punch their tickets to a postseason appearance. The  2016-2017 schedule will allow fans to have a greater idea of just how successful the Red Wings’ organization has been at drafting and developing players, and there’s no doubt that Larkin will need to play a pivotal role in ensuring so.