Any good captain understands the importance of leading by example.
However, in scoring a highlight-reel end-to-end goal against the Dallas Stars on Friday, Detroit Red Wings captain @Dylan Larkin may have made it just a little bit too difficult for his teammates to follow his lead. (We kid, we kid).
Only a special few National Hockey League players are capable of making moves like the one Larkin used to easily sidestep Stars defenseman @John Klingberg.
Alas, being a captain involves more than simply saying “do exactly as I do.” As Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman (himself a former captain) indicated last year, Larkin has been an effective leader throughout his tenure with the team.
“Dylan is an extremely competitive and driven player who sets the standard for dedication and conduct for the Red Wings,” said Yzerman when the Wings named Larkin captain last January. “This is the right time to name our new captain and we’re certain Dylan is ready to take on the responsibility. He will be an outstanding leader for us, both on and off the ice.”
Larkin’s first season wearing the “C” in Detroit didn’t exactly go according to plan. He scored just nine goals and 23 points in 44 games and suffered a season-ending neck injury in April at the hands of @Jamie Benn.
Larkin’s first season wearing the “C” in Detroit didn’t exactly go according to plan. He scored just nine goals and 23 points in 44 games and suffered a season-ending neck injury in April at the hands of @Jamie Benn.
In an interview with the Detroit Free Press last May, Yzerman was quick to mention what he liked about Larkin’s play in his first season as captain.
“I don’t think there’s anyone that would ever question his work ethic, his competitiveness in any game that he plays. I would never come home from a game thinking Dylan didn’t bring it,” said Yzerman. “He’s a really good person, he really cares about the Red Wings, he’s driven. Overall, his numbers, his goals, statistics, aren’t great, but I think he played well.”
Yzerman also lauded Larkin’s growth as a two-way player — something that mirrored Yzerman’s own development during his career — while recognizing his need to continue developing in all three zones of the ice.
