C Dylan Larkin (2014, 15th, DET)

[DeYarmond Edison]

Nice highlights but even better was his two way game, which is NHL ready. Can't see how they can send him down.

We've said the same thing multiple times about multiple players multiple times a year. Larkin won't play in the NHL this year. Hell, maybe not even next.

 

[TheMule93]

We've said the same thing multiple times about multiple players multiple times a year. Larkin won't play in the NHL this year. Hell, maybe not even next.

Lol. He is NHL ready. He will get time in the NHL this year. He will be up full time next season at the latest. We don't keep players in the AHL for no reason, we keep them there until they're NHL ready. If Larkin isn't on the team, he'll be there next season, probably in the top 6

 

[DeYarmond Edison]

Lol. He is NHL ready. He we get time in the NHL this year. He will be up full time next season St the latest. We don't keep players in the AHL for no reason, we keep them there until they're NHL ready. If Larkin isn't on the team, he'll be there next season, probably in the top 6

That last bit was meant to hyperbolic. Still, I don't see him playing full time this year. Not based on Hollands track record.

 

[DanZ]

That last bit was meant to hyperbolic. Still, I don't see him playing full time this year. Not based on Hollands track record.

Maybe not to start out, but if he's playing well in GR there's no reason to not bring him up this season at some point. Holland hasn't had a prospect like Larkin since Zetterberg so his track record isn't very relevant here. Holland doesn't usually keep players in GR longer than they need to be, and if Larkin shows that he's too good for the AHL, than he doesn't need to be there. He's not going to be playing in GR for the sake of playing in GR.

 

[newfy]

And the Red Wings are routinely touted as one of, if not, the best teams at drafting and developing in all of pro sports. Maybe they know what they're doing.

They're one of the best but that doesnt make them perfect. If not for injuries, Nyquist would have been in the AHL an extra season. They year he was called up he scored 28 goals in 56 games and was the wings best player. If they kept him in the AHL that year would it have been the right choice? I dont think so but I guess you might.

In Holland's time as GM he hasnt had a prospect like Larkin in North America as ready as he is. This is territory hes not used to. Offensively and defensively Larkin is comparable to Toews coming out of college. As a rookie Toews put up 54 points in 64 games. Even if Larkin doesnt do as well he could still be a 35-40 point scorer that gets the NHL game figured out and gets his adjusting period out of the way.

Question for you. What does Larkin need to go to the AHL to work on?

 

[Brandel*]

They're one of the best but that doesnt make them perfect. If not for injuries, Nyquist would have been in the AHL an extra season. They year he was called up he scored 28 goals in 56 games and was the wings best player. If they kept him in the AHL that year would it have been the right choice? I dont think so but I guess you might.

In Holland's time as GM he hasnt had a prospect like Larkin in North America as ready as he is. This is territory hes not used to. Offensively and defensively Larkin is comparable to Toews coming out of college. As a rookie Toews put up 54 points in 64 games. Even if Larkin doesnt do as well he could still be a 35-40 point scorer that gets the NHL game figured out and gets his adjusting period out of the way.

Question for you. What does Larkin need to go to the AHL to work on?

You're speculating quite a bit here and I have a hard time seeing that to be true to be honest. You can say "if not for injuries" but that's not even a reality in NHL hockey.

 

[SirloinUB]

They're one of the best but that doesnt make them perfect. If not for injuries, Nyquist would have been in the AHL an extra season. They year he was called up he scored 28 goals in 56 games and was the wings best player. If they kept him in the AHL that year would it have been the right choice? I dont think so but I guess you might.

In Holland's time as GM he hasnt had a prospect like Larkin in North America as ready as he is. This is territory hes not used to. Offensively and defensively Larkin is comparable to Toews coming out of college. As a rookie Toews put up 54 points in 64 games. Even if Larkin doesnt do as well he could still be a 35-40 point scorer that gets the NHL game figured out and gets his adjusting period out of the way.

What does Larkin need to go to the AHL to work on?

He simply needs to adjust to the pro game. He plays a mature and responsible game. But what I'm getting at is the pro mentality. I'll let Zetterberg elaborate:

"I think as a young player, when you come in and play regularly with men, it is a different level, not just hockey, with everything around, the traveling, the focus that you have to put in and the mental aspect of it. Everyone goes through it, he will go through it. I just think he has a little head start compared to others."

 

[newfy]

You're speculating quite a bit here and I have a hard time seeing that to be true to be honest. You can say "if not for injuries" but that's not even a reality in NHL hockey.

No I'm not. He had only played as an injury call up before that and was sent to the AHL to start that year.The wings didnt have room for him on the roster and thats why he played less than 60 games that year. Once the wings got injured badly Nyquist got his chance and ran with it, he should've been on the team from the get go. Thats the same time Sheahan got a legit NHL shot and proved he looked better at the NHL level than AHL. Those guys only played that year from injuries.

He simply needs to adjust to the pro game. He plays a mature and responsible game. But what I'm getting at is the pro mentality. I'll let Zetterberg elaborate:

"I think as a young player, when you come in and play regularly with men, it is a different level, not just hockey, with everything around, the traveling, the focus that you have to put in and the mental aspect of it. Everyone goes through it, he will go through it. I just think he has a little head start compared to others."

So why does that mental aspect have to be learned at the AHL level? He's got all the skills to play in the NHL, let Datsyuk and Zetterberg mentor him on the mental aspects of being a pro intead of Jeff Hoggan and Andy Miele. He's at least earned a start with the team to see how it goes, he can always be sent down later if he isn't ready

 

[Brandel*]

No I'm not. He had only played as an injury call up before that and was sent to the AHL to start that year.The wings didnt have room for him on the roster and thats why he played less than 60 games that year. Once the wings got injured badly Nyquist got his chance and ran with it, he should've been on the team from the get go. Thats the same time Sheahan got a legit NHL shot and proved he looked better at the NHL level than AHL. Those guys only played that year from injuries.

I understand how he made it to being in the NHL (because of injuries to the Red Wings). This is all hypothetical because there are injuries in hockey and Holland knew there would be injuries. I just don't see why you think Holland would have let him put up a 100+ point season (his pace) in the AHL without making a move of some sort for a call up (I can see Sheahan staying in the American League for that season given his AHL play). I mean maybe you're right but I think it's a stretch for a young player to put up 110 pts and dominate play in the AHL w/o doing something to get on the NHL roster. Wings didn't need to be injured "badly" either. He was first call up in November IIRC.

 

[Semantics]

Interesting that as soon as Babcock leaves they are rushing their prospects, gotta wonder if that's the right move. With Babcock he'd be in the AHL for 2-3 years to learn the pro game inside out. But it sounds like they might rush him, without a single pro game played. As he says, he likes his prospects over ready.

 

[TheMule93]

Interesting that as soon as Babcock leaves they are rushing their prospects, gotta wonder if that's the right move. With Babcock he'd be in the AHL for 2-3 years to learn the pro game inside out. But it sounds like they might rush him, without a single pro game played. As he says, he likes his prospects over ready.

Larkin played 6 games in the AHL western conference finals, and was the best player on the ice. We haven't had a prospect this good since Zetterberg. Theres a reason he's on the fast track.

What other prospects are we rushing? Mantha? He was gonna get to play with Datsyuk and Z in last years preseason until he broke his leg. Babcock was around. Athanasiou? Hes not being rushed

This has nothing to do with Babcock, and everything to do with the quality of the prospects

 

[hohosaregood]

Yzerman's successor.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Interesting that as soon as Babcock leaves they are rushing their prospects, gotta wonder if that's the right move. With Babcock he'd be in the AHL for 2-3 years to learn the pro game inside out. But it sounds like they might rush him, without a single pro game played. As he says, he likes his prospects over ready.

Detroit has was developing prospects properly well before Babcock. You might think it's rushing him, but then again you're not even aware that he played in the AHL playoffs and was arguably the best player on the ice. So maybe I'll see take your opinion with a grain of salt.

 

[Tatar Shots]

Interesting that as soon as Babcock leaves they are rushing their prospects, gotta wonder if that's the right move. With Babcock he'd be in the AHL for 2-3 years to learn the pro game inside out. But it sounds like they might rush him, without a single pro game played. As he says, he likes his prospects over ready.

This is not true at all. Holland is the one that has always wanted to overripe prospects. In fact Babcock has butted heads with Holland in trying to get prospects he likes into the NHL. Just look at the public spat last year over Ouellet. This is a misperception about Babcock, he wants prospects to play his type of hockey; defensive minded, poised, and strong along the boards are of chief importance to him. These are the last things a prospect generally learns which is why Babcock generally does not like to play prospects.

Also, Larkin is the Wings best prospect since Zetterberg so there is a reason the team is contemplating having him on the team. Even then Holland has stated Larkin won't be on the team unless he is depended on with the game on the line in the final seconds. Any of the other 29 NHL teams and Larkin would be a lock to make the roster.

 

[obey86]

Larkin played 6 games in the AHL western conference finals, and was the best player on the ice. We haven't had a prospect this good since Zetterberg. Theres a reason he's on the fast track.

What other prospects are we rushing? Mantha? He was gonna get to play with Datsyuk and Z in last years preseason until he broke his leg. Babcock was around. Athanasiou? Hes not being rushed

This has nothing to do with Babcock, and everything to do with the quality of the prospects

I agree it has more to do with the quality of prospects but I DO think that Babcock had something to do with it as well.

Holland has said multiple times over the past few seasons that he would keep a prospect in the NHL if he was going to get regular playing time/not play 5 minutes a game on the 4th line/etc....but if he wasn't going to play he would be better served being sent down to GR. A good example is Pulkkinen...Holland said he would keep him up if he was going to play....but then Babcock wouldn't play him in the playoffs so Holland sent him back down. Marchenko too. Holland said he would keep him up if he was going to be in the lineup everyday.....otherwise he was better off being sent down.

All that being said...even if Larkin goes to the AHL, he won't be there long. He'll be a full time NHLer by the start of next season for sure.

 

[SpookyTsuki]

Interesting that as soon as Babcock leaves they are rushing their prospects, gotta wonder if that's the right move. With Babcock he'd be in the AHL for 2-3 years to learn the pro game inside out. But it sounds like they might rush him, without a single pro game played. As he says, he likes his prospects over ready.

That's not how it is. Babcock didn't do anything but change lines. The wings have been letting their prospects sit until they were ready since the 90s

 

[Hector Salamanca]

this kid is special. US talent start to be scary.

 

[TheMule93]

this kid is special. US talent start to be scary.

Eichel Larkin and Matthews down the center at the Olympics sounds nice

 

[Semantics]

Larkin played 6 games in the AHL western conference finals, and was the best player on the ice. We haven't had a prospect this good since Zetterberg. Theres a reason he's on the fast track.

What other prospects are we rushing? Mantha? He was gonna get to play with Datsyuk and Z in last years preseason until he broke his leg. Babcock was around. Athanasiou? Hes not being rushed

This has nothing to do with Babcock, and everything to do with the quality of the prospects

Nah look at what Babcock is doing now with Nylander who is a comparable prospect to Larkin, playing him on the bottom two lines with other rookies or scrubs for linemates, making it as tough on him as possible. Last game one of his wingers was Rich Clune. He said he likes his prospects over ready and you can't tell me a guy who has played a handful of games is over ready. Larkin would definitely be spending 2-3 years in the AHL if Babcock were his coach.

 

[Semantics]

That's not how it is. Babcock didn't do anything but change lines. The wings have been letting their prospects sit until they were ready since the 90s

Yes and if it were up to Babcock, he would be playing on a line with Dan Cleary and a goon from Grand Rapids, getting 12 minutes of ice time a game.

 

[Tatar Shots]

Nah look at what Babcock is doing now with Nylander who is a comparable prospect to Larkin, playing him on the bottom two lines with other rookies or scrubs for linemates, making it as tough on him as possible. Last game one of his wingers was Rich Clune. He said he likes his prospects over ready and you can't tell me a guy who has played a handful of games is over ready. Larkin would definitely be spending 2-3 years in the AHL if Babcock were his coach.

Larkin is definitely more of a Babcock player right now than Nylander is. Babcock would likely be demanding Larkin be on the team.

 

[docbenton]

Nah look at what Babcock is doing now with Nylander who is a comparable prospect to Larkin, playing him on the bottom two lines with other rookies or scrubs for linemates, making it as tough on him as possible. Last game one of his wingers was Rich Clune. He said he likes his prospects over ready and you can't tell me a guy who has played a handful of games is over ready. Larkin would definitely be spending 2-3 years in the AHL if Babcock were his coach.

Except right now Larkin is a far more effective player than Nylander and deserves the ice-time and linemates he's getting.

 

[obey86]

Lol, I was randomly reading an article on Nylander and Babcock is saying the EXACT same things he said in Detroit:

“We think he’s good,” Babcock said. “You see players, you see whether they’re ready, you see if they’re ready defensively, you see if they’re ready offensively.

“You just watch to see if they’re ready. We want our guys over-ready.”

Babcock has never ruled out the possibility of Nylander playing so well it’s impossible to send him back to the minors. He has said it’s up to any younger player to “take someone’s job” in the NHL.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...son/article26544691/?cmpid=rss1&click=dlvr.it

 

[drw02]

Nah look at what Babcock is doing now with Nylander who is a comparable prospect to Larkin, playing him on the bottom two lines with other rookies or scrubs for linemates, making it as tough on him as possible. Last game one of his wingers was Rich Clune. He said he likes his prospects over ready and you can't tell me a guy who has played a handful of games is over ready. Larkin would definitely be spending 2-3 years in the AHL if Babcock were his coach.

Babcock loves putting offensively skilled players with plugs. He doesn't trust a line of all skill players, has to be balance (aka a grinder(s) on every line).

Larkin is more NHL ready player than Nylander, he plays that excellent 200 foot game while Nylander still needs some work in that department, especially if he's gonna play for Babcock. I also think the state of the Leafs factors in, they probably don't want Nylander to be around for what looks like will be a tough season in TO. No reason to risk hurting his confidence and stalling his development. He's better off spending another year with Marlies, keeping his confidence sky high, creating chemistry with his future teammates.

 

[Semantics]

Except right now Larkin is a far more effective player than Nylander and deserves the ice-time and linemates he's getting.

Well, Nylander has been the best forward on the team in camp, Babcock has even hinted that he's seen it that way too. Yet... 3rd line, scrub linemates.

Like I said, if Babcock were still in Detroit then Larkin would be playing with an AHL goon and a rookie.

Larkin would have zero points this preseason if he were playing with Rich Clune and a random rookie/AHL player.