Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin expressed frustration with general manager Steve Yzerman following the team’s failure to make the playoffs.
The Red Wings missed the postseason for the ninth consecutive year, and Larkin, the only player who has been with the team for all nine seasons, felt more should’ve been done at the trade deadline to help their playoff push.
“We didn’t get any momentum from the trade deadline, and it kind of brought the mood down. It would’ve been nice to add someone to give us a spark on the ice and a boost in morale,” Larkin said during his season-ending media session on April 19. While not overtly critical, Larkin’s comments suggested disappointment with Yzerman’s inaction.
At the deadline, Detroit made a modest move, sending Joe Veleno to the Blackhawks in exchange for Petr Mrazek and Craig Smith—far short of the impactful additions Larkin had hoped for.
The Red Wings finished the season 39-25-8, falling five points short of a playoff spot. Larkin still has six years remaining on his eight-year, $69.6 million contract. This season, he tallied 30 goals and 40 assists for a total of 70 points in 82 games.
Larkin Believes Red Wings Can Turn it Around
Despite missing the playoffs for a ninth consecutive season, Dylan Larkin remains optimistic about the Red Wings’ future.
Larkin expressed confidence in the team’s core and in head coach Todd McLellan, who took over midseason and made a strong impression.
“Todd is a really good coach, and I’ve been very impressed,” Larkin said. “Having a full Training Camp with him, our young players, and our core group will be huge. I believe Todd can help turn things around here.”
Forward Andrew Copp echoed Larkin’s sentiment, praising McLellan’s leadership and approach.
“From what I experienced, he came in with a strong presence,” Copp said. “He held us accountable but also trusted the leadership group and empowered us to play with instinct.”
McLellan replaced Derek Lalonde partway through the season and guided Detroit to a 26-18-4 record. However, the team’s early struggles ultimately kept them out of the postseason.
Red Wings Believe in Core Group
Although the Red Wings have now missed the playoffs for nine straight seasons, there’s a strong sense of belief within the organization about the team’s foundation.
Veteran forward and future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane is among those who see potential in Detroit’s current core.
“It’s disappointing to end the season like this, but even after we were officially eliminated, you could see how much the group still cared,” Kane said. “We continued to compete, stuck to the system, and played for one another. No one was out there doing their own thing, and that speaks volumes about the coaching staff and the leadership in the room. I really believe there’s a strong core and foundation in place here.”
Kane, who is set to become a free agent, could opt to re-sign with Detroit and remain a key piece of the team’s future.