Red Wings Larkin Needs to Step up . . . And he Knows it

It’s the captain’s job to lead and Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin isn’t one to sherk from his responsibility.

“I always try and just go out there and play the next shift and play as hard as I can and try and lead by example, try and calm the storm on the ice,” Larkin was telling reporters following Thursday’s practice. “And that’s when I try and lead by example and do the talking on the ice.”

Lately, the talking from the captain’s stick has been the sound of silence. It’s been five games since Larkin was registering a point. He’s gone six games without a goal.

What’s going on with Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin?

Since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off, Larkin has 10PTS in last 19GP and only 3PTS in his last 9GP.

In the stretch, Larkin has gone 11 of those games pointless and is now on a 5 game point drought 🐙#LGRW… pic.twitter.com/tIlB9JhaU7

— Hockeytown Rundown (@HockeytownRD) April 2, 2025

“Been battling,” Larkin admits. “Trying to play defense and check for chances. I’ve been trying to work and work as hard as possible, and I’ve been pleased with that. But it is what it is.”

What it is . . . is not good. When their captain isn’t going, the direction the Red Wings will generally be taking involves a downward spiral.

Like it or not, the Wings go as Larkin goes. He is the straw that stirs their drink.

Red Wings McLellan Not Calling Out His Captain

The captain’s C can at times prove to be as toxic as Hester Prynne’s infamous scarlet letter. Always, it is a magnet for attention. In tough times, it draws scorn and ridicule.

“When you’re wearing the C, you’ve got to be like steel,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “Everything’s got to bounce off you.”

A month ago, McLellan went as far as the call out his captain’s poor performance. This time, he’s not going there.

Dylan Larkin is a longtime supporter of Special Olympics Michigan, an involvement that started in the early days of his NHL career. He’s hosted athletes at games, donated to the organization and helped outfit their floor hockey team.

Notably, the Special Olympics World Games… pic.twitter.com/gvHTWvbZYK

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) March 22, 2025

“He was really playing well,” McLellan said of his captain. “He went to the Four Nations, was dinged up a little bit before he went, came back, and it hasn’t quite been at that level, but he’s pushing through.

“He’s trying to give us what he has right now. And, you know, like anybody, we expect a lot from him. He’s kind of the senior serving guy. And he’s working his way through, but there’s no doubt we’ll need him and the rest of his teammates down the stretch. Not just him, but everybody else.””

Larkin Takes Responsbility For Power Play Woes

Detroit’s very effective power play has also fallen dormant in recent games. The unit is 3-for-15 over the past five games.

Larkin blames himself for this malady.

“I feel like on the power play, I haven’t been contributing,” Larkin said. “And I think as a bumper, part of that is relying on other guys and also relying on getting loose stuff around the net. I feel like I’ve been probably moving around too much and not in position.”

Larkin knows he has to be better. And with only eight games left in the season, that time to be better is immediately.

“I don’t think there’s anyone out there that puts more pressure on myself than I do,” Larkin said. “I’ve always been that way. And I don’t think there’s ever a time, even when it’s going well, that I’m not doing that to myself.”

It’s great that Larkin recognizes and accepts the need for him to step up his game. It would be even more prudent if he actually goes out on the ice and does something about it.