Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, per NHL Network, is a top-tier center in the league. This week, the NHL’s flagship network ranked the top 20 centers in the NHL. Larkin wound up number 15 on the list due to his two-way play, leadership and speed.
Larkin is 11th in franchise history with points (576), 13th in goals (242) and 12th in assists (334). Last season, Larkin put up 30 goals and 40 assists for 70 points in 82 games. He finished one spot ahead of Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle and one behind New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier on NHL Network’s list.
“The Red Wings’ captain is the ninth player in team history with four consecutive 30-goal seasons and the first to do it since Henrik Zetterberg from 2005-09,” the NHL Network said. “Last season, Larkin had a goal and an assist in four games at the 4 Nations Face-Off to help the United States reach the championship game, a 3-2 overtime loss to Canada.”
Larkin on Cusp of Top-10 Franchise Records
Larkin could reach the top-10 in a handful of categories as early as next season. He’s just 48 assists behind Reed Larson’s 382-assist career. Should he reach at least 24 goals next season, he’ll be a top-10 goal scorer in Red Wings history. As long as he scores at least 58 points in 2025-26, he’ll become a top-10 point-scorer in Red Wings history before the age of 30.
Many of Larkin’s impressive accomplishments are overshadowed by the team’s record. Larkin hasn’t been to the playoffs since his rookie campaign in 2015-16. The Red Wings officially embraced their rebuild in the 2016-17 season. Two seasons ago, Detroit was a single point away from the playoffs. Last year, they took a step back, but look to make the playoffs this upcoming season.
The U.S. Olympic orientation camp roster, released earlier this week, included Larkin among its ranks. His international performance in both the World Junior tournament and the Four Nations Face Off makes Larkin a highly-coveted forward for the Americans. He joins fellow forward Patrick Kane in hopes of bringing the United States their first Olympic gold medal since the titular 1980 Miracle on Ice.
Red Wings, Larkin Looking Ahead
The pressure to bring the playoffs to Hockeytown has never been higher. Larkin knows it better than anyone. “It’s been difficult,” Larkin said in April. “I think about it every day for a long time during days, just bounce back and forth. But that doesn’t do you any good; you have to go out and win hockey games, and we came up about four or five wins short this year.”
The Red Wings ended the 24-25 season with a 39-35-8 record, sitting five points short of the playoffs.
“It’s frustrating to go through it again and sit here outside the playoffs,” Larkin said. “March was definitely not a good month for us and defined our season, unfortunately.”
This offseason, general manager Steve Yzerman upgraded between net with goaltender John Gibson. Still, the need for a top-four defenseman remains a top priority for the team.
The Red Wings open the season against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, October 9th.
Red Wings Center Ranked Top 15 in NHL