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Detroit Red Wings: Another Captain-Less Season in Motown

By Bob Heyrman

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 19: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes the first period save on Dylan Larkin #71 of the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on March 19, 2019 in New York City. With playing 18:38 minutes, Lundqvist has played 50,000 minutes in his NHL career and became the third goaltender to accomplish that feat with one franchise in NHL history (Martin Brodeur/New Jersey; Tony Esposito/Chicago). (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 19: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes the first period save on Dylan Larkin #71 of the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden on March 19, 2019 in New York City. With playing 18:38 minutes, Lundqvist has played 50,000 minutes in his NHL career and became the third goaltender to accomplish that feat with one franchise in NHL history (Martin Brodeur/New Jersey; Tony Esposito/Chicago). (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Red Wings organization have elected to roll through the 2019-20 season captain-less once again similar to last year.  While it’s just prolonging the inevitable, it’s not the worst decision they could make.

The most predictable thing at the moment in the city of Detroit regarding its sports teams other than the Detroit Tigers are flat out embarrassing is the next captain of the Detroit Red Wings will be Dylan Larkin.  We can predict the Lions regular-season win total at 8, the Pistons will make the playoffs, and the Tigers will earn themselves the first pick in next years’ MLB Draft.  All of those mentioned could very quickly happen, but one thing that is for sure is that Dylan Larkin will indeed be the Wings next captain; he’ll just have to wait at least another year.

When Steve Yzerman announced from Traverse City that the Detroit Red Wings would once again enter the season with four alternate captains it was a bit of a bummer to some, surprising to others and the rest probably don’t care. The Detroit Red Wings are in Traverse City entering another training camp, as hockey is just around the corner.  Preseason starts next week.

Jeff Blashill addressed the media mentioning that Dylan Larkin, and Justin Abdelkader will be wearing an ‘A’ every game while Frans Nielsen will be sharing one with Luke Glendening.  Nielsen & Glendening will be rotating the letter during home, and road games like Larkin and Nielsen did last season.

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Personally; I thought Dylan Larkin improved significantly last season in all aspects of the game, on and off the ice.  Although the recently retired Niklas Kronwall served as the team leader, Larkin was always made available to the media.  I noticed last season during the games the Detroit Red Wings were blown out it was Kronwall who primarily spoke.  Larkin did most of his talking after victories or close games.  Now with Nik out of the picture, it will be Larkin speaking on behalf of the franchise rain or shine.

The Wings are still amid their re-build, but the team still has plenty of veteran leaders.  All the guys who are set to wear a letter besides Larkin have been around for quite some time, and even Dylan is entering his fifth season already–wow time flies.

Last season Larkin enjoyed a career year scoring 32 goals. He scored 33 in his two previous years combined.  He also totaled 10 more points than two years ago topping out at 73 all be it in six fewer games.

Don’t be alarmed that Yzerman & Blashill are not rushing to appoint him captain of the franchise.  It appears they are allowing him to blossom into the role.  They are taking the Toronto Maple Leafs approach.  The Leafs have a former captain rostered in John Tavares and still haven’t decided if he’s the one to wear the ‘C’ or if it’s Auston Matthews or maybe Morgan Rielly or maybe even Mitch Marner.

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At least here in Detroit, no feelings should be maltreated; the choice is an obvious one. I wonder if Steve Yzerman is waiting because he knows first hand what it’s like to be a young captain with a rebuilding team pressing on his shoulders. Larkin is 23 years-old; Yzerman was named captain in Detroit at the raw age of 21 in 1986. Now, in a social media-driven life, a single blunder can be unforgiving.  That also could also play a part in waiting allowing Dylan to continue to mature.

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