Detroit Red Wings Prospect to Watch: Dylan Larkin
The Detroit Red Wings have always been a team that has a well panned out way to get their prospects ready for the NHL. Most prospects spend a good amount of time in the AHL and ECHL systems before they are brought up to the big team.
One prospect we will know the future of any day now is Dylan Larkin, who was the Detroit Red Wings first round draft pick in last years draft. Larkin spent the 2014 hockey season playing for the University of Michigan Wolverines. While also playing in the IIHF World Juniors in Canada and then in the Worlds Championships in the Czech Republic.
While in his freshman season at the University of Michigan Larkin was a stand out among the team. In 35 games he netted 15 goals along with 32 assists with a plus 18 rating. Second to only Senior Zach Hyman in scoring statics, the freshman showed why he was the 15th overall pick in the NHL draft.
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When December rolled around Larkin made it to the U20 USA World Juniors team. There he continued to play well. In five games he scored 5 goals with 2 assists. The team however faced a highly skilled Russian team who beat them in the first game of the second round cutting the USA teams chances of gold short.
After the college hockey season ended Larkin went to play for team USA at the 2015 IIHF World Championship. There he played along side NHL players such as Justin Faulk and Charlie Coyle and soon to be first round draft picks such as Jack Eichel.
Team USA won Bronze at the tournament and Larkin showed great there. He didn’t put up the high power numbers, only getting an assist in 9 games. Yet, he is also one of the only two 18-year-olds playing among the mostly NHL player roster. Yet Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said what he has seen of Larkin, he is happy with.
"Larkin has played well, It’s a very tough tourney, and for an 18-year-old to play regularly is very good for his development."
Now that Larkin is done at Worlds, probably one of the biggest choices in the young 18-year-old centers life is being made. Go back to college, or go pro? Larkin told Bob Duff of the Windsor Star that he was still weighing his options and would make a choice after the tournament was done. The tournament concluded play on Sunday when Canada easily took down Russia 6-1 to win gold.
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So anytime this week we could learn if Larkin plans to go back to college, or turn pro and be placed in one of the Red Wings farm teams. There are pros and cons to both choices for him. Going back to college, he gets more playing time on a first line and continue his education. Danny DeKeyser did this when he played at Western Michigan University then signed a contract with the Red Wings after 3 seasons with the Broncos, which allowed him to skip the minor league system altogether.
If he decides to turn pro, he would more than likely be put in Grand Rapids and would be able to craft his skill there until the team felt he was ready to come up to the NHL. There is little chance that Larkin would find himself with the Red Wings when the 2015 season starts, the kid has things that he needs to work on still.
What do you think Dylan Larkin should do? Go back to Michigan or turn pro and craft his skill at the AHL level? Let us know below. Don’t forget to stay connected to Detroit Jock City for all of your Detroit Red Wings news.
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