Updated at 1:39 PM with more from Ansar Khan:
According to the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan, Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin has signed a sponsorship deal with the BODYARMOR sports energy drink, and in the process of doing so, Larkin addressed a couple of topics of Wings-related note:
The NHL would like to begin the season around January 13, and is hoping for as much as a 56-game regular season.
The Wings were one of seven teams not brought back to the Return To Play last summer, in which the Stanley Cup playoffs were competed. Those seven teams are expected to have a few extra days of training camp, but there isn’t expected to be any exhibition games for any of the 31 teams.
“That will help, anytime you can have a camp with the guys will help,” Larkin said. “I’m not sure how many guys will be invited, or they’re planning to have at the camp, but it sounds like we’ll do a few of Red and White (scrimmage) games to get ready.
“We’ll have to treat them as real as possible, treat them like a normal game day. I do think exhibition games are helpful, but unfortunately with the times we’re in right now, and whether it’s financial or safety for the players and staff, you just have to be ready as possible.”
Update: Here’s more from MLive’s Ansar Khan:
“It does feel like there is a light, seems talks have been positive with the league and players association,” Dylan Larkin said. “Everyone wants to get a deal done. We certainly want to play. A lot of guys have been bag-skating at LCA. We’re all ready to go. Like (his former Michigan coach) Red Berenson used to say, ‘We’re over-ready.’ We’re excited.”
The NHL reportedly is aiming to start a 56-game season on Jan. 13. Under this plan, training camps for the seven non-playoff teams from 2019-20, including the Red Wings, would open on Dec. 31 and a few days later for the rest of the league. There would be no preseason games.
This is subject to change as talks regarding return protocols continue. But even a few extra days of camp would help a team that hasn’t played since March 10.
“With no preseason games, it’s going to be a little tough,” Larkin said. “I think with the extra days we’ll be able to mix in a couple extra red/white games or intrasquad scrimmages. So, you have to take the positives and take as much time as we can to get a head start on the other teams.”
