Fans have been wondering when it would happen, and there has been little to no movement until Monday. Detroit Red Wings beat writer Ansar Khan broke the news Monday morning that Dylan Larkin and the Red Wings have agreed on an eight-year term. Khan went on to say that the Red Wings are offering $8M AAV while Larkin’s camp is asking $9M AAV.
It has been a busy two days for the Red Wings and reports and rumors. As many by now know that Vancouver Canucks C- Bo Horvat is being heavily linked to Detroit by many insiders by way of a trade. Now comes a report that fans have been waiting for, a contract extension for the team captain.
Larkin has transformed his game to a point-per-game player and has taken to blocking shots, and is playing perhaps the best defense since being drafted by the Red Wings. At just 26 years old and not even in his prime years yet, this looks like a good move for the Red Wings.
As far back as the end of last season, Red Wings FM Steve Yzerman said he wanted to resign Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi. Yzerman repeated this recently. For a while, it was said the two sides were far apart. Given the two sides have agreed that term is good, the news that (depending on your source) have Larkin and the team no more than $1M apart, and things look promising. It seems like the gap has closed.
Steve Yzerman has always been tough but fair at contract negotiations. Seldom does he budge from what his offer is. Dylan Larkin has certainly earned a sizable raise has his game has gone to the next level. Both sides seem to want to get a deal done, and now it is heading to the finish line.
Larkin, who is a native of Michigan, played at The University of Michigan and was drafted to the Red Wings; he has played all eight of his NHL career in Detroit and has always seemed destined to play his entire career in Hockeytown.
There was never any thought of trading Larkin. Do not believe anything that says otherwise. It would set the rebuild further back, something Yzerman understands. Ansar also said that Pat Brisson, Larkin’s agent, has maintained good communication with Yzerman, and the two have been talking regularly.
Where it is tricky is as solid as Larkin has been, he still can do more. Sometimes in games, he needs to step up and be more assertive on both ends of the ice. While his numbers are good, they are not among the best in the NHL, which is why $8M AAV really feels about right. Larkin is well within his rights to ask for $9M AAV.
It seems that the long path to an extension is near. Everyone should be happy.
