Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin was removed from the Red Wings-Stars game on Tuesday due to the NHL’s COVID protocol, and the beat writers explained what happens to the Wings’ captain now.
Here’s MLive’s Ansar Khan…
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin was removed from Tuesday’s game at Dallas after the second period due to COVID protocol, coach Jeff Blashill said during his postgame address. Blashill said Larkin would remain in Dallas, unable to travel with the team.
The Red Wings, following a 5-2 loss to the Stars, wrap up this road trip with games in Vegas Thursday and Arizona on Saturday.
Blashill said he doesn’t know what is next for Larkin.
“You go through a sequence of things,” Blashill said. “Right now, he’s out for COVID protocol. I’ll have more update (on Thursday).”
Larkin scored his team’s second goal at 14:39 of the second period to cut the Stars’ lead to 3-2 and had logged 12:25 in ice time before getting word in the second intermission that he could not return.
“Obviously, it was in the middle of the game, which is tough,” Blashill said. “We got to figure out exactly where everything stands, talk to Steve (general manager Yzerman) tonight, tomorrow, and figure out what we’re going to do for Thursday.”
The Free Press’s Helene St. James…
Blashill said Larkin was tested Tuesday. Players who are vaccinated are subject to PCR testing at least every 72 hours, while unvaccinated players, of which Tyler Bertuzzi is the lone NHL player, are tested daily.
Per NHL protocols, “A person whose COVID-19 positive status has been confirmed shall remain in isolation, shall not exercise, and shall not participate in any training activity or have any contact (other than remotely) with any other personnel for the duration of their isolation.”
Larkin is on a three-game scoring streak with four goals. He converted on a power play in the second period of Tuesday’s game to edge the Wings within a goal.
“He’s our leader,” Danny DeKeyser said. “He drives the bus for this team. He had that big goal to get us back into it, and then not having him in the third obviously was a big loss.”
And The Athletic’s Max Bultman:
Larkin’s importance to the Red Wings
Max Bultman, Red Wings beat writer: Larkin is essential to the Red Wings’ lineup, not just as one of the team’s leading scorers but as an engine and tone-setter among their forwards. Without him, Detroit becomes especially thin at center, so if he has to miss any time that will be a major obstacle for the Red Wings. Rookie Joe Veleno could move into the top-six if Larkin can’t go, but put simply, there is no replacing
Larkin.What’s next for Larkin?
Bultman: Blashill said after the game he didn’t know the answer to what’s next for Detroit’s captain, but at minimum, Larkin cannot travel with the team to their next stop in Vegas, and will have to stay in Dallas for now.
In the bigger picture with Larkin, the Senators missing 3 games and who knows what else, is the 2 shot vaccine not as great as one might expect. My Doctor has told me he has had Covid for the 3rd time.
I knew these vaccines were not the “Silver Bullet” and now they are talking about a 3rd Booster shot. Are the Non Vaxxers part of the problem or is this Virus never going to leave this planet completely?
George, as far as age goes, you are a Young Buck, compared to this myself. Larkin is a fit , young athlete and riding his wing on the ice, is Bert with no vaccinations, just something missing here.
I guess the Vaccine just make the Virus less deadly, not really a pleasant bonus. Now the Flu vaccine is available making another hole in the arm.
Sitting at home as much as possible wearing a mask is not really living life to its fullest.
Hoping Larkin gets some good news and the Wings do not follow the Senators outbreak.
I still wonder why some other sports are not a big target for the Virus. The NBA for example.
Just a big unknown and add illegal people getting bogus proofs of being Vaccinated, I am not feeling too safe this morning.