In the middle of a day filled with “hypothetical” columns, Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen discusses whether Dylan Larkin’s relationship with the Red Wings can be salvaged:
All of this talk about whether Larkin’s trade request makes it impossible to stay in Detroit is misguided. We all know that whoever is named Detroit’s Director of Hockey Operations will call Larkin and see if he can change Larkin’s mind.
If the new Detroit boss doesn’t call him, then this person wasn’t the right person for the job. We are not past the point of a no-return. Not even close. America loves stories of athletes extracting themselves from things said or did to achieve sports glory. We have plenty of examples.
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Maybe Larkin won’t change his mind. But let’s not close that door quite yet. Part of the new Director of Hockey Operations salvage operation may be to win back Larkin because he knows the Red Wings won’t get a desirable return in the trade market.
Fans may boos Larkin to start the season, but winning cures plenty of problems. If Larkin continues to score 30-plus goals per season and the Red Wings started winning, Detroit fans won’t boo him long. Fans love a good redemption story.
But here is what we do know:
First, If there was a good return for Larkin available in the three- or four-team marketplace, Yzerman would have already made a deal by now. If the Red Wings have to take futures for Larkin and lose Kane, this team is going to take another step backward. And fans will boo longer than they would boo Larkin.
Continued; I believe that Larkin is indeed out the door, but that’s my most educated guess…
I’ve never been the biggest Larking cheerleader. I don’t dislike him and think he is an excellent player, but feel, he would be 2C (3C) as he was used in the Olympics. He has gone through a few extremely hard personal issues over the last couple of years that will definitely change a person. Being Captain on a team that is up and down doesn’t help. Watching his play though you start to see a little diva attitude, an almost Crosby like reaction when he gets a penalty.
Yzerman isn’t without blame but also maybe not as much as he gets from some writers. I have employees that no matter what you give them or what they want it just isn’t working. You try to explain and It’s ok to part. Maybe later it works out but not for a while. How long for fans and staff to forgive Federov…?
Personally I would rather see him go and I don’t think bringing him in, taking the C will help nor will bringing him in and leaving the C. I bet there is more than one player who is not happy with him.
In the end whoever they get (please no old former wings) has to make the choice. If nothing else maybe get him to expand his list. Of course this may give Brisson more ammo. Maybe not if the new management doesn’t want to play that game. Its just time to part ways.