Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Captain Larkin Out For Season After Core Surgery

Published

2 years ago

April 18, 2022

Bob Duff

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin underwent core muscle surgery on Monday. He will be out for the remainder of the NHL sesaon.

The keyboad warriors were out in full force on Monday, calling for the ouster of Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin.

Well, they are getting their wish – sort of. The Red Wings announced Monday that Larkin had undergone successful core surgery. He will be out of the Detroit lineup for the remainder of the season.

An update on captain Dylan Larkin.

Details: https://t.co/VETd3uG3Ac pic.twitter.com/5IH9dUxeM5

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 18, 2022

Larkin underwent the surgery at McLaren Hospital in Lansing, Mich. The procedure was performed by Dr. Troy Ferguson. Recovery time is expected to be 8-10 weeks.

Larkin, 25, has appeared in 70 games for Detroit this season and currently leads the team in both goals (31) and points (31-38-69).

Larkin Brings Passion To The Ice

Certainly, during another struggling campaign for the team, Larkin has sought to lead by example.

“Dylan cares a bunch and he’s worked hard to get better,” Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “Like any player, I think there’s been growth and progress and some steps backwards and then growth and progress.

“One thing he always has done throughout it all is he self-evaluated and went to work. I think that’s why he’s grown and I think that’s why he’ll continue to grow, because of the person he is. He’s an ultra competitor. He wants to be great.

Larkin…showing a lot of Hart#LGRW pic.twitter.com/GdICY84xR6

— Red Wings Rant (@BODHockey) February 18, 2022

“Isn’t always perfect, like none of us are perfect but ultimately I think he grows because he looks in the mirror and says, ‘How can I get better?’”

From Waterford, Mich., Larkin is currently in his second season as team captain. Appearing in 504 career games for the Red Wings, he’s showing a total of 358 points (147-211-358).

Larkin Expressing Frustration

Following Sunday’s 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers at Little Caesars Arena, Larkin was expressing his frustration at how poorly the Wings were playing as the season was drawing nearer to a close.

“We’re running out of runway,” Larkin said. “We have to end the season here on a positive note . . . we have two weeks left to figure something out and end on a positive note to go into the summer.”

At the same time, Dylan Larkin was frank in admitting that he didn’t see the team responding as well to adversity as they were doing earlier in the season.

“It’s a challenge,” Larkin said. “We have to be up for it, or else it’s going to be like (Sunday) and against New York (4-0 loss on Saturday), where we don’t create much, we don’t have any fun playing with the puck. You have to find that yourself. It doesn’t just come. You have to find it.

“We play great teams here. Let’s go out and give it our best. We just haven’t had enough of that. You saw it against Carolina (3-0 win Thursday). We see it at times. We need to see it every night.”

Second Season In A Row That Larkin’s Year Ends Early

Larkin has clearly been playing in discomfort for some time. He hadn’t practised in weeks. While not being specific, Blashill acknowledged that Larkin was dealing with some physical issue.

“I think there’s wear and tear on players as you go through the course of the year,” Blashill explained as to Larkin’s persistent absence from off-day workouts. “Larkin (is) dealing with some things that ultimately we and our medical staff most importantly, make the decision if it’s best to provide rest on those days.”

Larkin’s 2021 campaign also came to an early end. He suffered a season-ending neck injury when cross-checked by Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn following a faceoff.

In a related move, Monday saw the Red Wings recalling center Chase Pearson from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.