Prospect Info: 15th overall — C Dylan Larkin: Larkin signs 3 year entry deal
- Thread starter Account Terminated
- Start date
-
Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
GoAwayDanCleary
DRWCC
- Aug 6, 2012
- 10,752
- 5
Well we definitely have our blue-chip center prospect. Next season is going to be very interesting depending on what path he chooses.
Larkin has looked great to me at the worlds.... too bad he doesn't have more points to show for his effort, but I've been really impressed. Shift after shift, the kid impresses me.
Hopefully Babcock too.
I really hope he heads to the AHL next season.
Hopefully Babcock too.
I really hope he heads to the AHL next season.
Shoalzie
Trust me!
Another year in college won't hurt him but the fact they play so few games, you almost would want to have him go pro just so he can get those extra reps at the AHL level. Maybe even get him some time with Mantha and see if there's some magic there. He's probably a couple years away from the NHL but I really liked what I saw this year.
Henkka
Registered User
Not easiest to score in a cheking line role he plays. But of course, points and goals would be welcomed.
Frk It
Mo Seider Less Problems
- Jul 27, 2010
- 37,127
- 16,206
InjuredChoker
Registered User
Vladdy84
L-O-Y-A-L-T-Y
Laser Rayzor
Cautiously Optimistic
As others have mentioned earlier if he goes pro he'll likely be slotted as a defensive minded middle six role who's more likely to see #1 PK time over #1PP time. If that's the case I'd rather see him take another year in college to further his offensive game. Rght now he's basically our only shot at a #1C in the future and he's still quite young so there's no need to rush him.
He did already dominate offensively in college as a freshman. I think it's important for a player to continue challenging himself. He had a 1.4 PPG I believe.
Frk It
Mo Seider Less Problems
- Jul 27, 2010
- 37,127
- 16,206
Kind of depends on if Blashill is coach or not for me. If Blashill is coach I don't worry about his development in GR one bit. Offensively or defensively.
Larkin is better than Nosek and Athanasiou is a winger at the next level. Much more likely Larkin is in the top 6 than middle six throughout the year.
Would slow his development if he went back to Michigan.
After reading glowing reports on Larkin, and him being ranked high on many peoples NHL prospect rankings, is he our bonafide #1 Center prospect? He reminds me a little bit of Toews honestly with his great college production, speed, defensive abilities, and leadership qualities.
haulinbass
Registered User
- Mar 6, 2014
- 1,425
- 1,089
Honestly after a few games of watching him with Eichel I don't think there is much of a gap. To me Larkin looked much stronger defensively than Eichel. He was also much stronger on his skates given these two guys are the youngest players on the ice going up against mostly older and more physically developed players. Eichel seemed to end up on his rear quite and bit and taken off the puck easily with a little physical force. I would say Eichel was a little better offensively but all and all there wasn't much gap between the two in any category. Eichel also looked sort of lost in certain circumstances and second guessing whether he should be jumping up ice or cutting back for support. I don't think that says anything bad about Eichel's game, but to me it shows Larkin can pick things up fast and play a system well. Larkin was very fluent majority of the game, he looked confident and knew exactly what he should be doing. These guys are basically at the exact same stage of their hockey career regardless of Larkin being drafted a year sooner. They both were freshmen in the NCAA. Larkin is the real thing. Obviously his great season with Michigan said a lot but now we got to see this kid next to NHL players and he can surely play with them. He has been logging the 3rd most icetime for forwards with USA all tournament. I would say he could be our third line center this year. Will he or should he be, probably not but he could and he likely wouldn't do a bad job.
As far as whether he should stay with Michigan or go to the AHL.. I have no idea. As you guys mentioned it could go both ways.. In theory going to Michigan he could gain more confidence and dominate thus potentially increasing his offensive skills. In reality if he goes to the AHL he WILL become a more polished and serviceable NHL player sooner than he would staying in college. It's really hard to say what would be best. If he does go to Michigan he will obviously still get to play in AHL playoffs next year. I guess we have to leave that up to him and the experts to decide. All that I know is that I couldn't be more excited about a prospect. I can't say enough about him. Our future forward success is looking promising by the time Z and Dats are gone. We got the goalie too so now we somehow just need to manage to get our D together and we will be alright.
As far as whether he should stay with Michigan or go to the AHL.. I have no idea. As you guys mentioned it could go both ways.. In theory going to Michigan he could gain more confidence and dominate thus potentially increasing his offensive skills. In reality if he goes to the AHL he WILL become a more polished and serviceable NHL player sooner than he would staying in college. It's really hard to say what would be best. If he does go to Michigan he will obviously still get to play in AHL playoffs next year. I guess we have to leave that up to him and the experts to decide. All that I know is that I couldn't be more excited about a prospect. I can't say enough about him. Our future forward success is looking promising by the time Z and Dats are gone. We got the goalie too so now we somehow just need to manage to get our D together and we will be alright.
Very well could. Players need to be challenged and pushed in order to keep developing.
Birko19
Registered User
While I do love what he brings to the table, I noticed that he has 1 point in 9 games. Is this just the lack of ice-time or the role he's playing? If the latter then the scouts might not be wrong about him and he may very well be the next Helm. If that is the case then there's an obvious offensive gap between him and Eichel.
SimplySolace
"We like our team"
- Jun 30, 2013
- 3,120
- 43
It's his role, he gets a lot of ice time (good part of it is killing penalties). Against Russia he had the 3rd or 4th most ice time for forwards. The stats don't tell the tale on how many chances he creates but he or his linemates are unable to finish.
haulinbass
Registered User
- Mar 6, 2014
- 1,425
- 1,089
USA was a very low scoring team. They only scored 25 goals in the tournament ranking them 8th, far behind the other big teams. Russia, Sweden and Canada had top NHL star players. USA's biggest name NHL players were Bonino, Nelson, Lewis, Coyle, Krug, Gardiner and Seth Jones. Larkin primarily played a shut down role and didn't get powerplay time. He managed to put up many of good scoring chances that could have been buried had he better line-mates. The stats do not tell the story. Eichel only put up 4 points and had better line mates. Both of these kids are 18 years old. The fact Larkin played so sound defensively and was able to put up that many scoring chances at this age is very strong evidence that he will be able to score at the NHL level down the road as he develops. As SimplySolace said he got top forward minutes and there is a reason the coach played him that much. The kid played great
The Zetterberg Era
Ball Hockey Sucks
Love Larkin and I agree scoring wasn't a function at all of disappointing play or lack of offensive feel. With that said Eichel scored 7 points. There is a noticeable gap in talent between the two. Yes Larkin is better defensively and I think Larkin could develop into a great leader and #1 center with outstanding two-way play.
Eichel on the other hand is the best US prospect I have seen in 30 years of watching hockey. The guy is an absolute stud, he reminds me of Forsberg. While we wonder if Larkin can be a Toews, Bergeron type player and we should be ecstatic if he touches there, Eichel has Hart Trophy winning ability. The difference is noticeable. Have never been this excited about a US born player, he and Seth Jones are the long awaited superstar/generational talent guys that we have been hoping for since they redid the youth setup. I know people will bring up Kane here, but it is important in terms of the position both guys play and I look more to the generational talent element. Both guys to some degree have that promise, USA hockey is making great strides. Larkin would appear to be a part of that if his development continues, Eichel and Jones really are already fixtures at this point as far as I am concerned.
But let's get real. Larkin is a great prospect with underrated offense, but he's not on Eichel's level offensively. Eichel has superstar level skill.
Just like Toews is not on Crosby's level offensively. That's not his game.
Just like Toews is not on Crosby's level offensively. That's not his game.
You gotta remember, this is the World Championship. Most top 15 picks at Larkin's age are 4-5 years away from playing in this tournament. The kid was over his head offensively in that situation, and it's okay. Lots of talented offensive players at his age would be. But he was potentially the best defensive forward on the team, and that's very impressive.
Should we be worried that he only had 1 point? No. He's only 18, and 18-20 are incredibly important developmental years, even for offensive players. He's got the hockey sense and raw skill, so I think the finishing will come with time.
If you ask me, he looked a little bit intimidated, offensively. He was a lot more offensively inclined at the WJC. He didn't try any sneaky little moves like he did at the WJC. He gave up shooting position in order to be in defensive position. He spent almost no time in front of the net, which is unlike him. But that's not surprising, I guess. He was asked to play a specific role, and I'm sure he was just trying not to screw it up.
Last edited:
