Dylan Larkin has given everything to the Detroit Red Wings. He’s battled through tough seasons, led through adversity, and played at a high level year after year
Yet, the ultimate goal—a Stanley Cup—remains just out of reach.
As he enters the next phase of his career, the window is still open. The pieces are slowly falling into place, and if the Red Wings can make the right moves, Larkin’s dream—and the city’s—could still come true. Until then, the wait continues.
The 2024-25 season is now in the books, and while it ended in heartbreak, it also provides an opportunity for growth and reflection.
The Red Wings have talent, leadership, and one of the league’s most respected general managers. What they need now is to find the resolve to take the next step.
Breaking a playoff drought this long requires more than talent. It demands resilience, consistency, and a refusal to accept moral victories.
If the Red Wings can learn from their collapses and use this disappointment as fuel, they just might begin to look like a contender again.
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Table of Contents
Dylan Larkin’s Honest Assessment
Captain Dylan Larkin did not mince words after the game. In his postgame interview, he acknowledged both the disappointment of the loss and the overarching sense of underachievement that hung over the entire season.1
“It’s a disappointing night to finish off a disappointing year,” Larkin said. “A lot of games like that, especially with how we had the lead… there’s something to play for, to get the 40 wins was big for our team, and we didn’t do that. And it’s kind of a story of this season.”
Larkin’s comments reflected a broader frustration — one not just about a single game, but about the repeated inability to close out winnable contests. That pattern became a defining characteristic of the Red Wings’ second half.
Congratulations Jason. Always inspiring to see the great work you do in our community with kids and the passion you have for hockey and the Red Wings! https://t.co/aNJMC0LDfw
— Dylan Larkin (@Dylanlarkin39) June 27, 2023
The Post-4 Nations Faceoff Slide
Before the 4 Nations Faceoff, Detroit seemed to be in the hunt, playing competitive hockey and staying within reach of the postseason conversation.
However, after the international break, the team fell into a troubling spiral. The Red Wings posted a 9-13-2 record following the tournament — a mark that speaks volumes about their lack of consistency and inability to build momentum when it mattered most.
Fatigue, poor execution, and injuries played a part, but so did mental lapses and shaky performances in clutch moments.
Games like the finale against Toronto were emblematic of a team that couldn’t quite figure out how to win under pressure.
Dylan Larkin: Ninth Consecutive Playoff Miss
A Harsh Reality
Detroit’s failure to make the playoffs for a ninth consecutive season is now the longest such drought in the team’s storied history.2
For a franchise that once represented the gold standard of consistency and success in the NHL, the current era has been tough to swallow for fans and players alike.
The Red Wings’ last playoff appearance came in 2016, the final season of Pavel Datsyuk’s tenure and the tail end of Henrik Zetterberg’s prime. Since then, the rebuild has been slow and, at times, frustrating.
There have been flashes of hope, particularly with the emergence of young talent and the leadership of GM Steve Yzerman. But tangible success — in the form of postseason play — remains elusive.
Yzerman’s First Step Back
Under Steve Yzerman’s leadership, the Red Wings have largely been moving in the right direction — at least until now.
This season marked the first time Detroit failed to improve its record year-over-year since Yzerman took over as general manager in 2019.
With a final record of 39-35-8, Detroit finished with one fewer win than the previous season. While that might seem like a marginal dip, it represents a symbolic setback for a team that’s been preaching progress.
The expectation was clear: this year, more than ever, the Red Wings were supposed to take the next step.
The Cost of Inconsistency
One of the most glaring issues plaguing the Red Wings this season was inconsistency. For every impressive win against a top-tier opponent, there was a baffling loss to a lottery-bound team.
Stringing together victories proved difficult, and the team rarely looked comfortable playing with a lead — something that came back to haunt them repeatedly, including in the season finale.
Special teams were inconsistent, goaltending fluctuated, and defensive lapses at key moments were all too common.
The team’s inability to establish an identity or maintain sustained energy was often the difference in close games.
What’s Next for Dylan Larkin and the Wings?
As captain, Dylan Larkin has carried much of the emotional and leadership burden during Detroit’s rebuild.3
He’s remained loyal to the organization, played through injury, and often been the team’s best player in big moments.
But with another year wasted and his prime years ticking away, questions about what comes next for him — and for the franchise — will inevitably grow louder.
Larkin is under contract and remains committed to Detroit’s future, but the pressure to win is mounting.
The Red Wings must not only surround him with better support but also ensure the team develops a killer instinct — something that’s been sorely lacking.
Bright Spots and Building Blocks
Despite the disappointment, this season wasn’t devoid of positives. Young players like Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider continued to develop and show they could be foundational pieces.
Alex DeBrincat, acquired in the offseason, contributed offensively and brought a new level of scoring depth. Goaltender Ville Husso had moments of brilliance, and the team’s depth, while inconsistent, occasionally rose to the occasion.
If Detroit can build around these pieces and supplement the roster with smart offseason acquisitions, there’s reason to believe they can break the playoff drought next year. But potential has to start translating into results.
Addressing the Needs: Offseason Priorities
The 2025 offseason will be a pivotal one for the Red Wings. Upgrades on defense are a must, particularly with the team’s tendency to break down late in games.
A reliable second-line center and more veteran leadership would help solidify the lineup. Goaltending depth also remains a concern — the Wings need more stability and consistency in net.
Yzerman may also need to look inward and assess the coaching situation. While head coach Derek Lalonde has had some success in developing young talent, the team’s inability to execute under pressure may point to a need for fresh perspective or a tactical shift.
The Fans Deserve Better
Detroit hockey fans are among the most passionate in the NHL. They’ve endured nearly a decade of rebuilding, supported young players, and stayed patient through tough seasons.
But the fanbase is growing restless, and rightfully so. The Red Wings owe it to their loyal supporters to make meaningful strides — not just in player development, but in results.
Selling hope can only go so far. At some point, it has to turn into wins, playoff appearances, and legitimate contention.
Also Read: Alex DeBrincat Speaks Out: Why the Stadium Series vs. Blue Jackets Means Everything?
Dylan Larkin: A Decade of Dedication Without a Cup
Dylan Larkin has become synonymous with the Detroit Red Wings over the past decade.
A hometown hero and the team’s captain, Larkin has consistently delivered strong performances on the ice. Yet despite his individual efforts, one elusive goal remains: winning the Stanley Cup.
The 2024-2025 NHL season once again ended in disappointment for Larkin and the Red Wings, and the wait continues.
A Season of Personal Success
In the 2024-2025 season, Larkin proved once again why he’s one of the league’s most reliable centers. He notched 30 goals and 40 assists, hitting the 70-point mark—an impressive milestone in any NHL season.
It marked his fifth career 30-goal season and his fourth consecutive one, further establishing his consistency and offensive capabilities.
More importantly, Larkin managed to stay healthy and play all 82 regular season games, averaging 20:04 in time on ice.
This durability is no small feat, especially in a league as physically demanding as the NHL. Night after night, Larkin was a key contributor and a leader on the ice, both statistically and emotionally.
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The Red Wings’ Struggles Continue
Despite Larkin’s contributions, the Red Wings once again missed the playoffs, extending their postseason drought to eight years. This was especially disheartening after what had been a promising first half of the season.
The team faltered when it mattered most, especially in March—a month that Larkin himself admitted defined their season in the worst way.
“You can put it a hundred different ways, but we just didn’t win hockey games and that’s on the guys in the room and it’s frustrating to go through it again and sit here outside of the playoffs,” Larkin said, expressing the collective disappointment of a team that came up short yet again.
March Meltdown: The Turning Point
The Red Wings’ collapse in March was a bitter pill to swallow. Going into the final stretch of the season, they were in the thick of the playoff hunt.
But a string of losses, inconsistent goaltending, and an inability to close tight games ultimately sank their chances.
This meltdown wasn’t just a statistical slump—it was psychological. Confidence appeared to wane, mistakes compounded, and the team couldn’t regain its rhythm in time to secure a playoff berth.
For a captain like Larkin, who’s been through multiple rebuild phases, it was another chapter in a frustrating narrative.
Dylan Larkin: Leadership in Tough Times
As the captain of the team, Larkin has worn the burden of expectations both from the organization and the fanbase.
He’s grown into a mature, respected leader who doesn’t shy away from accountability. Whether in front of reporters or behind closed doors in the locker room, Larkin has been the voice and face of the Red Wings during their rebuilding years.
Leadership in the NHL goes beyond the C on the jersey. It’s about setting an example through work ethic, showing resilience in adversity, and maintaining composure when things go sideways. By all accounts, Larkin checks all those boxes—and then some.
Ten Years in the Winged Wheel
Drafted 15th overall by Detroit in the 2014 NHL Draft, Dylan Larkin made an immediate impact when he joined the team in the 2015-16 season.
His speed and skill stood out instantly, and he earned an All-Star nod as a rookie. Since then, he has grown into one of the most complete two-way centers in the league.
Now in his 10th NHL season, all with Detroit, Larkin has matured from a promising young player to the heartbeat of the team.
Yet, despite his loyalty and productivity, he hasn’t come close to hoisting the Cup. For a player of his caliber and dedication, it’s a glaring omission on an otherwise solid resume.
A Captain Without a Crown—Yet
- Hockey is a team sport, and no matter how well one player performs, it takes a full roster to chase a Cup.
- Still, it’s hard not to feel a bit of empathy for Larkin, who has given so much to the franchise and fanbase.
- He’s been the consummate professional, an all-star caliber player, and a loyal leader. But the lack of playoff success continues to overshadow his otherwise outstanding career.
- Fans want to see Larkin raise the Cup—not just for the team, but for himself. He’s earned that moment, and it would be a powerful culmination to a decade of perseverance and grit.
- As the offseason begins, the focus shifts to what Detroit can do to improve.
- Draft picks, roster moves, and potential trades will all be closely scrutinized. But no matter what changes around him, Larkin will return next season as the cornerstone of the Red Wings.
- His hunger to win remains as strong as ever, and so does his belief in this team. “We’re close.
- We have the pieces,” he has said in past interviews. The question now is: how do those pieces come together, and when?
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