Red Wings 2022-23 Wrap-Up: Dylan Larkin

DETROIT -- Back in 2015, Dylan Larkin was a teenager who was just beginning to establish himself with the Detroit Red Wings.

Fast forward to present day, Larkin is coming off his third year as captain of his hometown club and set to enter his ninth professional season with Detroit.

"It's pretty crazy to think about," Larkin said in his end-of-season media session. "It goes by fast. Guys say that to you as a young player. It hasn't felt that long, but I'm really hoping for many years."

Larkin tallied a career-high 79 points (32-47-79) in 80 games in 2022-23, earning his second straight All-Star appearance and third of his career.

"Somewhat satisfied with how it went," Larkin said about last season. "But it was a year with many ups, downs, injuries and having the battle through that. Going forward, I know I have more and can be a dominant player."

From a team perspective, Larkin was pleased with how the Red Wings players and coaching staff meshed.

"There was a lot of new this year," Larkin said. "A lot of new players coming in, a lot of us trying to build chemistry, a lot of experienced players coming into the leadership group and everyone trying to figure out where they are on the team and in the lineup."

Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde said the 27-year-old forward set a constant example with his leadership skills and work ethic.

"His play speaks for itself," Lalonde said on March 2. "The things we've asked of Dylan in closed doors he's done."

Detroit held the Eastern Conference's second wild card spot after defeating the New York Rangers, 4-1, on Feb. 23. The last time the Red Wings occupied a postseason spot that late in a season was also during Larkin's rookie year in 2015-16.

And while Detroit was mathematically eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoffs contention on April 6, Larkin believes experiencing high-stakes games late in the season will prove valuable for the club moving forward.

"It's a good lesson for us that you're never out of it and how valuable those points are," the forward said.

Being tougher to play against was an identity the Red Wings aimed to embrace last season. Larkin believes they did.

"I thought we really competed together," Larkin said. "You saw scrums and guys are in there together sticking up for each other."

This season, Larkin wants the Red Wings to "be faster" and "score more in transition."

"That's how I see where the league is going in general, just more off the rush," Larkin said. "It's not making crazy plays, it's the defense getting the pucks up to us quick and trying to create odd-man rushes."

And for Larkin, Video: Dylan Larkin | 2022-23 End of Season Media, helping lead the Red Wings back into the playoffs as soon as possible remains his primary focus.

"I'd like to make the playoffs next year," Larkin said. "And have the last nine or 10 (years) of my career to be kind of a different story."