C Dylan Larkin (2014, 15th, DET)

[The Zetterberg Era]

I like Mrazek a lot, but lets be real... he was spitting out rebounds like a pez candy dispenser all night long.

Zetterberg was just doing what Zetterberg does best, but Larkin made things happen on both lines he played on.

Mrazek was spitting out rebounds with purpose though. I mean I wish he absorbed more at times, but he was kicking/blocking to corners or kicking/blocking the puck out of danger. It is an improvement, the juicy sitter in the slot was not really what he was bouncing back out there.

 

[SpookyTsuki]

This was really impressive. Our only line which did get chances at first 2 periods was Zetterberg line, where Larkin was.

Then, after line sufflings, Pulkkinen wakes up and scores 2 goals... on a line where Larkin was. Larkin did a nice forecheking pressure on that 2-2 goal (which lead to bad Cane-defenceman turnover), but didn't get a point of that.

Detroit has scored 8 goals at this season, 6 when Larkin is on the ice.

I bet the other 2 where when Larkin directly got off the ice

 

[Heraldic]

Detroit has scored 8 goals at this season, 6 when Larkin is on the ice.

And how many when Zetterberg has been on ice? 7? 8?

Against Toronto Larkin had a great game. Against Carolina not so much, despite having a point. He lost puck battles many times and was pretty invisible with the puck. Noah Hanifin outmuscled him with ease, and Larkin took a stupid penalty after it. Larkin wasn't exactly bad, but he wasn't anything particular either. Noah Hanifin was the best rookie on the ice by a wide margin.

Henrik Zetterberg.... Man. Does someone still say that he is just an average first line center?

 

[gretskidoo]

And how many when Zetterberg has been on ice? 7? 8?

Pretty sure it's 6 goals for Zetterberg as well, as he wasn't on the ice for Pulkkinen's goals last night.

Against Toronto Larkin had a great game. Against Carolina not so much, despite having a point. He lost puck battles many times and was pretty invisible with the puck. Noah Hanifin outmuscled him with ease, and Larkin took a stupid penalty after it. Larkin wasn't exactly bad, but he wasn't anything particular either. Noah Hanifin was the best rookie on the ice by a wide margin.

Yeah, what a scrub. Hopefully we can trade him for Hyman before he's exposed as the bust that he is.

 

[Heraldic]

Pretty sure it's 6 goals for Zetterberg as well, as he wasn't on the ice for Pulkkinen's goals last night.

Okay, so it's one goal for that Larkin has been on the ice without Zeterberg being there at the same time?

Yeah, what a scrub. Hopefully we can trade him for Hyman before he's exposed as the bust that he is.

That's exactly what I said.

And I really can't understand how clueless some people can be (referring to this Hyman thing).

Is it really so damn difficult to understand that there can be two players on the same line who actually complement each other rather than just the other is totally driving a shotgun? Yes, I understand that as Wings fan you might think so for now watching Abdelakader doing it second season a row, but usually that's not the case.

There was at least one poster saying that Hyman was a product of Larkin, and having seen them both playing on the same line several times, that's just ********.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

Pretty sure it's 6 goals for Zetterberg as well, as he wasn't on the ice for Pulkkinen's goals last night.



Yeah, what a scrub. Hopefully we can trade him for Hyman before he's exposed as the bust that he is.

Why would Toronto trade Hyman away? He's the straw that stirs the drink.

Although he's probably the only straw allowed in the Leafs dressing room right now.

 

[Plamglotis]

Okay, so it's one goal for that Larkin has been on the ice without Zeterberg being there at the same time?

So you know that "Larkin wasn't exactly bad, but he wasn't anything particular either", but you don't know that Blashill changed the lines in the third, put Larkin with Pulkkinen who then directly scores TWO goals?

 

[obey86]

The entire Red Wings team looked tired and sluggish last night in the 2nd game of a back to back where they had to travel. Probably aren't in true game shape this early in the season either which doesn't help.

 

[Mad Dog Tannen]

Larkin is off to such a great start. Congrats on the great pick wings fans, definitely an NHL ready player!

 

[Heraldic]

So you know that "Larkin wasn't exactly bad, but he wasn't anything particular either", but you don't know that Blashill changed the lines in the third, put Larkin with Pulkkinen who then directly scores TWO goals?

Yes, I did notice that Nyquist was playing with Zeta and Abdelkader and Larkin with Tatar and Pulkkinen.

Larkin didn't do anything particular in those goals, they were more of the result of Pulkkinen being in the right place at the right time. Like I said, he wasn't bad, but nothing particular either. Made mistakes, and right plays as well.

Or are you implying that the mere presence of Larkin gave some chakra-related innerpower to Pulkkinen? I know Larkin has been labeled as a surefire franchise player already, but that is something that even Gretzky and Mario would have envied.

Larkin absolutely is NHL-ready, no doubt according to these two games.

 

[Yemack]

Yes, I did notice that Nyquist was playing with Zeta and Abdelkader and Larkin with Tatar and Pulkkinen.

Larkin didn't do anything particular in those goals, they were more of the result of Pulkkinen being in the right place at the right time. Like I said, he wasn't bad, but nothing particular either. Made mistakes, and right plays as well.

Or are you implying that the mere presence of Larkin gave some chakra-related innerpower to Pulkkinen? I know Larkin has been labeled as a surefire franchise player already, but that is something that even Gretzky and Mario would have envied.

Larkin absolutely is NHL-ready, no doubt according to these two games.

you are right that there are areas larkin can improve but I dont think being outmuscled and taking a penalty which did not really lead to much for a rookie is such a knock against Larkin as 19 years old.

as you said he made alot of right plays that you can see he has a very good instinct on what works and what doesn't and he is sure about it beyond any doubt. I dont think many veteran NHL even has that trait.

I take it you are somewhat miffed by your perceived level of overhyping Larkin by wings fan and try to be as critical while try to downplay his good side. There is no doubt Larkin has a bright future in NHL and while he has not been eric lindross on ice he has been making alot of good decisions past 2 games in NHL level, produced 3 points and +6.

you want to talk about Hyman kid? instead of trying to knock down Larkin to pump him up, tell us about him when he's actually in NHL.

 

[slappipappi]

And how many when Zetterberg has been on ice? 7? 8?

Against Toronto Larkin had a great game. Against Carolina not so much, despite having a point. He lost puck battles many times and was pretty invisible with the puck. Noah Hanifin outmuscled him with ease, and Larkin took a stupid penalty after it. Larkin wasn't exactly bad, but he wasn't anything particular either. Noah Hanifin was the best rookie on the ice by a wide margin.

Henrik Zetterberg.... Man. Does someone still say that he is just an average first line center?

I didn't see the game, but the box score also says he was a +3 and led the RW with 4 shots on goal.

 

[obey86]

I really like Larkin's aggressiveness to the net and willingness to shoot the puck.

 

[Heraldic]

you are right that there are areas larkin can improve but I dont think being outmuscled and taking a penalty which did not really lead to much for a rookie is such a knock against Larkin as 19 years old.

Of course it's almost irrelevant in the big picture. But after the Toronto game, if you read about Larkin here, you might get the picture that he is already outskating and outmuscling players in NHL. Well, that's exactly not the case, and there really isn't anything surprising in a wrong way.

as you said he made alot of right plays that you can see he has a very good instinct on what works and what doesn't and he is sure about it beyond any doubt. I dont think many veteran NHL even has that trait.

I think that remains to be seen ultimately. But in general through experience players tend to end up making better decisions. But, while he had a great game against Toronto, there were couple of situations, when he was skating with the puck, and there was zero indication that he was even looking for passing options - just wheeling to create a space in order to deliver the puck to the goal - and that he ended up trying to do, but it was blocked and the possession lost. That's not a knock really against him, but that's just an example that at least this moment he isn't really a player who you can see ending up a great playmaker like the players he has been compared to. IMO he is rather a high-motor, straightforward guy.

I take it you are somewhat miffed by your perceived level of overhyping Larkin by wings fan and try to be as critical while try to downplay his good side. There is no doubt Larkin has a bright future in NHL and while he has not been eric lindross on ice he has been making alot of good decisions past 2 games in NHL level, produced 3 points and +6.

Mostly I have just been a devil's advocate. I have many times said that he has great skating, good shot and he is really strong on his skates considering his age. And most of all, I have been saying he is a great prospect. Surefire franchise player? That's where I disagree.

you want to talk about Hyman kid? instead of trying to knock down Larkin to pump him up, tell us about him when he's actually in NHL.

I don't really care about Hyman as an NHL-prospect. I have all the time talked about him as Larkin's linemate in Michigan, and the fact that Hyman wasn't just a product of Larkin.

If you ask me, I don't care even if ALL the Leafs' prospects bust.

 

[Dotter]

Larkin didn't do anything particular in those goals, they were more of the result of Pulkkinen being in the right place at the right time.

This confirms you have no clue what you're even talking about.

 

[Birko19]

Against Toronto Larkin had a great game. Against Carolina not so much, despite having a point. He lost puck battles many times and was pretty invisible with the puck. Noah Hanifin outmuscled him with ease, and Larkin took a stupid penalty after it. Larkin wasn't exactly bad, but he wasn't anything particular either. Noah Hanifin was the best rookie on the ice by a wide margin.

To be fair, the whole team was playing bad for a stretch of the game, but to say he was invisible seems absurd, I would say behind Mrazek and Zetterberg he was the most noticeable Wing out there, as soon as Blash moved him to second line center his line scored two goals and even though he did not assist in any of them he was clearly part of the play.

Hanifin played a decent game, but outside of his assist he did not really do much.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

I think we're confusing terms a little bit. When Wings fans say Larkin is a playmaker, we're not talking about the possess-the-puck-all-day-and-gift-your-linemates-tap-ins Joe Thornton type. Larkin is more of a guy who uses speed and hard work to get the upper hand, and then puts his linemates in dangerous scoring position with smart, understated plays. The Zetterberg goal from last night is a great example. It wasn't a technical play, but it was a really smart way to get Zetterberg a really good scoring chance. Larkin set that up for him. That's what we mean.

But just because he isn't Joe Thornton doesn't mean he isn't a good playmaker. He's just a different kind.

 

[DetBigWangs]

Or are you implying that the mere presence of Larkin gave some chakra-related innerpower to Pulkkinen? I know Larkin has been labeled as a surefire franchise player already, but that is something that even Gretzky and Mario would have envied.

I think I did see a 9-tailed demon fox in the rink.

Damn, I'm such a nerd.

 

[nbwingsfan]

Yes, I did notice that Nyquist was playing with Zeta and Abdelkader and Larkin with Tatar and Pulkkinen.

Larkin didn't do anything particular in those goals, they were more of the result of Pulkkinen being in the right place at the right time. Like I said, he wasn't bad, but nothing particular either. Made mistakes, and right plays as well.

Or are you implying that the mere presence of Larkin gave some chakra-related innerpower to Pulkkinen? I know Larkin has been labeled as a surefire franchise player already, but that is something that even Gretzky and Mario would have envied.

Larkin absolutely is NHL-ready, no doubt according to these two games.

Pulks first goal was a direct result of Larkin pressuring the D in the corner and creating a turnover, so I'm not sure where you got that idea from (guessing you didn't watch as much as you say). At 19 in his second NHL game of course he's going to have things to work on. Sure fire Franchise player McDavid has obvious things to work on too.

And if you keep saying Hymen wasn't a product of Larkin, then how do you explain him scoring more points in his season with Larkin than all 3 of his previous seasons combined?

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

To be fair, the whole team was playing bad for a stretch of the game, but to say he was invisible seems absurd, I would say behind Mrazek and Zetterberg he was the most noticeable Wing out there, as soon as Blash moved him to second line center his line scored two goals and even though he did not assist in any of them he was clearly part of the play.

Hanifin played a decent game, but outside of his assist he did not really do much.

I don't think that is fair to Hanifin... I thought he was excellent last night, almost had as much impact on the proceedings as his rookie counterpart Larkin. Good game from him, liked a lot of what I saw, great skater and good puck mover. Hardly ever put a foot out of place all night, he was very impressive.

 

[Henkka]

To be fair, the whole team was playing bad for a stretch of the game, but to say he was invisible seems absurd, I would say behind Mrazek and Zetterberg he was the most noticeable Wing out there, as soon as Blash moved him to second line center his line scored two goals and even though he did not assist in any of them he was clearly part of the play.

For the first 30 minutes, Red Wings had 3 scoring chances. Larkin was involved in 2 of these.

He has been team-high at both games in scoring chances + created chances with 11 chances. Abdelkader is next with 9, Zetterberg with 7, Franzen/Pulkkinen/Tatar with 6.

That's quite remarkable thing when he is better than any Red Wing straight from the start. Like, we aren't suddenly some crap team with crap forwards, where it would easy to shine. There's some serious talent he is outplaying right now.

HE IS A REAL ****ING THING.

Just watch him and enjoy.

 

[NHL Dude 120]

Nice to see a prospect change Holland's stance on player development.

 

[Claypool]

Nice to see a prospect change Holland's stance on player development.

If Helm and Datsyuk are healthy Larkin isn't sniffing the NHL. Nothing has changed Detroit's stance at all. He'll likely be sent down once they return.

 

[Pavels Dog]

If Helm and Datsyuk are healthy Larkin isn't sniffing the NHL. Nothing has changed Detroit's stance at all. He'll likely be sent down once they return.

Will be difficult with the way he's playing. I think he stays.

 

[drw02]

If Helm and Datsyuk are healthy Larkin isn't sniffing the NHL. Nothing has changed Detroit's stance at all. He'll likely be sent down once they return.

Kinda disagree. If he keeps producing he's not going anywhere.