The Detroit Red Wings announced that center Dylan Larkin is sidelined for the remainder of the regular season after undergoing successful surgery for a core muscle injury. His expected recovery time is somewhere between eight to ten weeks.
An update on captain Dylan Larkin.
Details: https://t.co/VETd3uG3Ac pic.twitter.com/5IH9dUxeM5
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 18, 2022
Dylan Larkin Playing Injured
The Dylan Larkin surgery comes after a number of “maintenance days” where the Red Wings captain was withheld from practicing with the team. It is clear that Larkin has been playing hurt for some time. However, the Red Wings did not comment on where Larkin sustained the injury.
Larkin scored 31 goals and 38 assists for 69 points to go along with 47 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 49.6 percent Corsi and a 5v5 relative Corsi of 3.7, per Hockey Reference.
The 15th overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft, Dylan was serving in his second year as team captain. During his seven-year career, all with the Red Wings, he has posted 147 goals and 211 assists for 358 points.
What This Means for the Future
In what has been a difficult season, the loss of Dylan Larkin is pure salt in the wound for the Wings. Having been eliminated mathematically from the playoffs, Detroit has been plagued by inconsistency issues. Larkin has been a driving force in trying to motivate the team. He has not hesitated to call out the entire locker room, including himself. He has insisted that there is still something to play for even if it is simply the honour of wearing the Winged Wheel.
While his production on the ice will surely be missed in the last six games of the season, it is that leadership and accountability that Larkin brings to the room and the bench that will be most glaringly lacking. The Wings will get their captain back most likely in time for training camp next season. Losing Larkin guarantees the bleeding will only continue as Detroit drags itself across the 2021-22 finish line.
Main Photo:
