Dylan Larkin took part in the Red Wings’ annual youth hockey camp on Thursday, and afterward he spoke with the media regarding a host of topics, as noted by the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan:
The calendar has crawled into August, training camp is a little over six weeks away, but Dylan Larkin isn’t concerned.
Larkin is a restricted free agent, and still without a new contract, although indications are he and the Red Wings are close to a long-term deal.
“A lot of talking and negotiating; it’s a bit of a process,” said Larkin, who was a guest instructor Thursday at the Red Wings’ youth camp at Little Caesars Arena. “It’s back and forth thinking, and everything is definitely a process, (but) you can’t sit by your phone all summer, you still have to train and work out and have fun, go on trips.
“I’m learning the business side of it, but I feel pretty confident that something will get done before training camp. No worries about it.”
It is expected that Larkin, 22, will sign a five- or six-year deal, probably in the neighborhood of $6 million per year. For the Red Wings to make that kind of commitment, Larkin would feel a sense of “honor.”
“You have to definitely continue to work hard and want more for yourself and for the team, and the city and organization,” Larkin said. “I’m still not sure where it’s going to end up, but if they are willing to give a commitment (of that kind), it’s going to be a pretty good honor.”
Update: The Free Press’s Helene St. James also spoke with Larkin…
The youth camp comes after Larkin held his own hockey school and helped out at Danny Cleary’s Hockey School. It’s part of why the Wings think he’s worth a big investment: Larkin never seems to be far from a hockey rink.
In what he hopes will become an annual event, Larkin was a driving force behind the just-announced Stars & Stripes Showdown, a benefit hockey game featuring top American-born hockey stars scheduled for Aug. 26 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth. The event is in honor of the late Jim Johannson, who passed away at the age of 53 this past January. Johannson spent the two decades as assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey, and was renown for his positive impact.
Proceeds will benefit both the Jim Johannson Legacy Fund and the Ellie Johannson College Fund.
The idea for the game gestated at the World Championship in May.
“Everyone was rallying around J.J. at the World Championships and I saw that and I thought it would be a great idea,” Larkin said. “A lot of superstars coming into town. Auston Matthews. Charlie McAvoy. They are all coming into to honor him and raise money for a great cause.”
To make it happen, Larkin did what Johannson would have done: Made phone calls.
“My job has been to recruit players, which is ironic — I feel like J.J. himself when he was calling guys for the World Championship,” Larkin said. “You get every answer and you have to understand it’s summer and guys have things going on. It’s been interesting talking to different guys, but mostly great feedback from that.”
