Excitement Brews As Michigan Native Larkin Readies For His Red Wings Debut
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) -- When the Detroit Red Wings begin their season on Friday, they will have something they haven't had since Jiri Fischer in 1999 -- a 19-year-old on the roster.
Dylan Larkin will be doing something most men his age can only dream of -- making his debut for the Red Wings against Mike Babcock's Toronto Maple Leafs at Joe Louis Arena.
"I think skating out and seeing the big crowd, it's going to be a cool feeling," Larkin said about his excitement for the moment.
The Waterford native gives most of the credit for his success to his parents, who will be in the crowd Friday with 25 friends and family members who made the trip to see his NHL debut.
"Tons of sacrifice, they let me leave home when I was 16," Larkin said. "Not only did they pay for all of my hockey and my equipment they paid for my brother's. I can never thank them enough."
Some have compared Larkin's path to the NHL with that of Red Wings great Steve Yzerman, but first-year coach Jeff Blashill wants to hold off on that narrative.
"Steve was a really prolific, prolific scorer and had to probably learn how to be better defensively," Blashill said. "Dylan's game is more well-rounded coming in."
Larkin was drafted by the Red Wings with the 15th pick in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft. He played one season with the Wolverines at the University of Michigan, where he tallied 47 points -- good for eighth in the NCAA.
Blashill says only time will tell how good Larkin will ultimately be at the NHL level.
"He's a good kid, a good guy, he's very humble," teammate Gustav Nyquist said. "He's done a good job in camp, obviously. He earned his spot here."
Larkin is expected to play on the first line with Henrik Zetterberg and fellow Michigan native Justin Abdelkader.
"If I score a goal or we get a big win I'll be pretty excited," Larkin said. "I just have to go about my business and stick to that route."