So Larkin Made Some Interesting Comments.

[schuelma24]

It's kind of funny, because I think you can make an argument that the biggest long term mistake Yzerman made was exiting the rebuild a year or two too quickly - presumably trying to make Larkin a happy camper.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

Maybe yzerman should have been proactive and tried to do something around the 4 nations break when the team worked their asses off to get back to a playoff spot after the GM watched a horrible coach run the ship into the ground for 3 months

What is this magical move you wanted him to make so bad? He failed when he signed these Bums years ago. We have to try to dump them this summer and push our chips in for a Marner and a top 4 d. No more lateral moves. We need difference makers and I would seriously consider moving Larkin as well.

 

[Coach Reggie Dunlop]

Larkin has been a great soldier throughout the whole rebuild and carried some truly awful teams. He’s not getting any younger and has only ever played on bad teams. He went to the 4 nations and made a huge impact. I think he has every right to be frustrated and deserves to be able to vent. No clue why people are so mad about that.

 

[RED WINGS STOMP]

This is 100% on Larkin. Don't bring Yzerman into this, he's made significant moves and has kept his mouth shut. When other players have acted the way Larkin has, they have been moved.

I feel like I recall Yzerman gets snippy with reporters on his trade deadline presser, or maybe it was the hiring McLellan one. I forget which.

Plus Yzerman keeping his mouth shut has helped dig himself a hole with things like the Walman fiasco.

Sure Larkin could play better down the stretch, but we could have a better roster too. Who in the org will critize Yzerman? Larkin felt the need to step in and say something. Maybe not the best time or place, but I don't have a problem with him getting after the front office after the last 12 months they have had.

And I wouldn't have a problem with Steve coming out and saying we need our captain to stop with all the sulking when something bad happens as well.

 

[Run the Jewels]

It's kind of funny, because I think you can make an argument that the biggest long term mistake Yzerman made was exiting the rebuild a year or two too quickly - presumably trying to make Larkin a happy camper.

Yzerman has done plenty to make the team competitive while his prospects develop. The fact they just missed out on playoff hockey two years in a row should make the fanbase feel good about the direction, but the team captain whines about 4th round draft picks.

 

[Run the Jewels]

And I wouldn't have a problem with Steve coming out and saying we need our captain to stop with all the sulking when something bad happens as well.

I don't think Yzerman is going to say anything publicly. He'll do something like ship Dylan's ass off to Buffalo. Problem solved.

 

[schuelma24]

And I wouldn't have a problem with Steve coming out and saying we need our captain to stop with all the sulking when something bad happens as well.

Well I certainly hope he doesn't do that! I don't love that Larkin went public and now it's a thing, but I'm thinking/hoping Yzerman nips this in the bud quickly.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

The last time Larkin was this honest and dissatisfied was in the run-up to Christmas along with Kane and Copp basically trying to classily put it that Lalonde had lost the room. We had Emily Kaplan come out and say the Wings room was disappointed after the deadline.

I think while everyone carpet bombs his leadership this is him sticking up for the room. They lost Copp and needed to do something was the expectation of the guys. Get into him not playing well with an injury down the stretch. I think it would have been a useful question to ask him what he can do to be healthier since it has severely impacted us two years in a row.

You have your tenured face of the franchise arguing this isn’t good enough, basically the same thing this board argues in Mass and it makes him a beta male. Okay, I see it much more as this is the one guy in that room that has the reach to say this and have the Ilitch family listen.

By the way I am old enough to remember Steve Yzerman saying we need to change something about the roster in the early 90s on a few occasions.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I don't think Yzerman is going to say anything publicly. He'll do something like ship Dylan's ass off to Buffalo. Problem solved.

Full NMC, he gave it to him too.

 

[Run the Jewels]

Full NMC, he gave it to him too.

He sounds pretty bitter, I'm sure he'll be happy to ply his trade elsewhere. Also, zero shock those who supported Ken Holland's abject failure to retool on the fly are also critical of Yzerman. Says something about something.

 

[Sega Dreamcast]

Buying at the deadline would have been a bad gamble even before the Copp injury.

 

[Winger98]

I feel like I recall Yzerman gets snippy with reporters on his trade deadline presser, or maybe it was the hiring McLellan one. I forget which.

Plus Yzerman keeping his mouth shut has helped dig himself a hole with things like the Walman fiasco.

Sure Larkin could play better down the stretch, but we could have a better roster too. Who in the org will critize Yzerman? Larkin felt the need to step in and say something. Maybe not the best time or place, but I don't have a problem with him getting after the front office after the last 12 months they have had.

And I wouldn't have a problem with Steve coming out and saying we need our captain to stop with all the sulking when something bad happens as well.

It was the TDL when someone asked where Mrazek might help the team and Yzerman responded with something like, "I hope he helps us a bit in goal." I thought it was funny.

I don't think Yzerman is going to say anything publicly. He'll do something like ship Dylan's ass off to Buffalo. Problem solved.

I'd be surprised if Yzerman made any notable comment about it. If he does I would take it as a sign that Larkin's exit interview didn't go well. We also don't want Yzerman to say a lot about it. Your GM airing dirty laundry is never a good thing.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

He sounds pretty bitter, I'm sure he'll be happy to ply his trade elsewhere. Also, zero shock those who supported Ken Holland's abject failure to retool on the fly are also critical of Yzerman. Says something about something.

I support the Wings and have defended Yzerman as well. He needs to stop sitting on his hands. Keep in mind I have said I think he has two more seasons before he is in trouble or moves up.

Larkin is going to have a lot of say on where he moves. We had a terrible 12 months. I still love the prospect pool and I still believe Yzerman can lead us out of this.

As someone else said Yzerman can fairly say we need more out of our best players down the stretch, certainly needed a lot more out of goaltenders and depth pieces as well. Team sport everyone should be looking in the mirror and be honest. I expect both of them to be and I expect they will be on the same page come October.

If it devolves into a trade, LA is our best match in my opinion. I just don’t believe we are there yet.

 

[cjm502]

But is Larkin wrong? That is the exact sentiment that the vast majority of this forum was going bonkers about post trade deadline. I don't think it was that extreme or out of line at all. One thing that folks seem to be missing is that he is not just speaking for himself here, he said "the group" and "the guys". For all we know, the locker room could be pissed about the state of things, and Larkin took it upon himself to be the fall guy and speak for the group. I'm not defending their play in March, but it also doesn't make what Larkin said invalid.

Yeah, Larks was bad down down the stretch, but he also picked up injuries during the 4 Nations and couldn't even rule out the possibility for surgery in the summer. He looked like he had bricks tied to his skates for most of March/April, there was more going on than just "not bringing it" or lack of effort. Yeah, a little more accountability or explanation for his play after the tourney would be nice, but that still doesn't make his comments here any less valid or untrue.

 

[Holden Caufield]

I think Larkin wants a culture switch and that is a fair ask.

Yzerman has never projected any type of expectation of winning since he arrived.

This year (before the season), He was flat out asked about making the playoffs…
Yzerman said ‘I don’t know, maybe’. This is after missing by one point.

The last 2 years we were in playoff position at the deadline and crickets. Yzerman just shrugged his shoulders and said we’ll see what happens.

He employed Lalonde for years and Lalonde never expected to win a game. After every loss he just shrugged his shoulders or even proclaimed the team played well.

Larkin has been here through a lot and I think he wants urgency. No more half answers. No more pushing the finish line further away. He wants an expectation of success. And I think he is trying to angle for massive improvements this off-season.

I don’t think it’s professional the way he answered the questions. But I think he decided rocking the boat might put pressure on the right people to bring in some NHL talent improvements.

 

[Tasteslikekevinbacon]

Yes ship Larkin off that’ll go well with your two future franchise faces that signed long term because they love the culture around the team.

I’m of two minds — I actually think there was maybe two deals made at the deadline I probably would’ve made myself. I probably wouldn’t have loved to move pieces like that for some of the players.

That being said this isn’t chel and you can’t turn off player morale and standing pat two years in a row while being in the playoff race is sending a message to your room whether you like it or not.

i can’t blame either side for this, but I hope this summer is a big one

 

[GarlicbreadTB]

Yes ship Larkin off that’ll go well with your two future franchise faces that signed long term because they love the culture around the team.

I’m of two minds — I actually think there was maybe two deals made at the deadline I probably would’ve made myself. I probably wouldn’t have loved to move pieces like that for some of the players.

That being said this isn’t chel and you can’t turn off player morale and standing pat two years in a row while being in the playoff race is sending a message to your room whether you like it or not.

i can’t blame either side for this, but I hope this summer is a big one

Thats where I'm at with this. Only problem I got is I wish that maybe Larkin would've kept this in-house. Because now it's gonna bring unnecessary drama... maybe?

 

[ShelbyZ]

Looks like we're going to see Larkin and a 2nd go to the Sharks for future considerations.

 

[Shaman464]

Larkin has been a great soldier throughout the whole rebuild and carried some truly awful teams. He’s not getting any younger and has only ever played on bad teams. He went to the 4 nations and made a huge impact. I think he has every right to be frustrated and deserves to be able to vent. No clue why people are so mad about that.

Larkin had a huge impact in exhibition hockey. Great. He needs to have a huge impact after the all star break before he gets a pass.

 

[Shaman464]

Yes ship Larkin off that’ll go well with your two future franchise faces that signed long term because they love the culture around the team.

I’m of two minds — I actually think there was maybe two deals made at the deadline I probably would’ve made myself. I probably wouldn’t have loved to move pieces like that for some of the players.

That being said this isn’t chel and you can’t turn off player morale and standing pat two years in a row while being in the playoff race is sending a message to your room whether you like it or not.

i can’t blame either side for this, but I hope this summer is a big one

Larkin is getting old, never has shown he can show up when real hockey is being played and never established himself as anything more than a serviceable first line center on a non-playoff team. And over the last few years he’s been melancholic when talking to the press. He shouldn’t be the face of the franchise, he only gets a pass because his mom spit him out in Michigan. If was Canadian or, Allah forgive me, Ohioan, his rope would have run out by now.

 

[RED WINGS STOMP]

The 'Keep in house' philosophy has been going since Yzerman showed up and to be honest, I wouldn't mind a break from it to an extent. I don't think that philosophy has stopped any drama from happening, consider the nonsense we had from Vrana and Walman and two coaching changes since then. Non stop finger pointing wouldn't be good, but a callout or two for people to be better could be what the doctor ordered.

I don't know. This all sucks, plain and simple, no more soap box for me today.

 

[minimal]

Thats where I'm at with this. Only problem I got is I wish that maybe Larkin would've kept this in-house. Because now it's gonna bring unnecessary drama... maybe?

I don't know if I mind a little drama. I'd like some clarity about what kind of direction is planned for this team.

 

[RedHawkDown]

This is why people saying "you're reading too much into a media comment!!!" are sorely mistaken IMO. This is pro sports, the end of season media availabilty matters a lot, and these comments matter. We saw plenty of Vancouver fans saying "it's just media making s*** up!!!" for months with the JT/Pettersson drama, and they never even said anything this damning to the media.

Larkin's comments are a very, very, very bad look and I'd imagine Yzerman is fuming given how much he seems to value professionalism in the organization and how he was as a captain.

IMO Larkin has just driven the likelihood of him being traded up by a lot. And that sucks because Yzerman has not shown he is good at trading when he's doing it out of frustration (see: Walman). I hope we don't dump him for poor value.

But he should not be captain.

 

[datsyukfan]

What is this magical move you wanted him to make so bad? He failed when he signed these Bums years ago. We have to try to dump them this summer and push our chips in for a Marner and a top 4 d. No more lateral moves. We need difference makers and I would seriously consider moving Larkin as well.

Zetterlund, lindgren, Fowler, Carlo for the right price, frederik before he got hurt, that’s just a few. Stop hoarding mid round picks + b level prospects and use them to acquire middle aged talent

 

[RedHawkDown]

Larkin has been a great soldier throughout the whole rebuild and carried some truly awful teams. He’s not getting any younger and has only ever played on bad teams. He went to the 4 nations and made a huge impact. I think he has every right to be frustrated and deserves to be able to vent. No clue why people are so mad about that.

Because he's the captain and it's an embarrassing way for your captain to behave. You're supposed to be rallying the room and acting as a source of strength/hope/determination for the players, not sulking and whining after every bit of adversity. Larkin isn't a leader in the NHL and has never shown such ability.