DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills continues his “Roster Reset” series of articles by examining the Red Wings’ depth at the center position heading into the 2022-2023 season this morning:
Entering his third campaign donning the “C” for the Red Wings is 26-year-old Dylan Larkin, who finished last season with a team-leading 31 goals and 69 points in 71 games. The Waterford, Mich., native also represented Detroit at 2022 NHL All-Star Weekend, marking his first All-Star Game since his rookie campaign in 2015-16.
After undergoing core muscle surgery in April which sidelined him for the Red Wings’ final six games last season, Larkin expects to be a full participant at camp and is “optimistic about the future.”
“I love being a Red Wing,” Larkin said in his end-of-season media session on May 3. “I love being the captain of the team and I think this team is gonna do special things in the future.”
Also returning to Detroit this season are natural centers Robby Fabbri, Michael Rasmussen, Pius Suter, Oskar Sundqvist and Joe Veleno.
Fabbri, who signed a three-year contract extension last December, had 17 goals and 13 assists in 56 games last season before suffering a season-ending torn ACL against the Minnesota Wild on March 10.
When speaking in his end-of-season media session on May 4, Fabbri emphasized patience in his recovery, adding that he may not be ready for the start of the upcoming campaign.
“We’re going to play it by ear,” the 26-year-old said about his third career ACL injury. “We’re going to work with the medical staff and the goal is to get better as soon as possible, but doing it the right way, doing it safely and making sure this is the last time.”
