Inside the Article:
Dylan Larkin is currently in the final year of his current contract with the Detroit Red Wings, and he has made it very clear that he would like to sign a long-term extension to remain in his hometown. According to reports, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman has offered Larkin an 8-year, $64 million contract, but Larkin's camp does not feel that is a fair amount for their client. That being said, Larkin said on Thursday that he does not have any hard feelings toward Yzerman, despite the fact that they have not been able to agree on an extension.
Why it Matters
Larkin is originally from Michigan, he played college hockey at the University of Michigan, and now he is the Captain of the Red Wings.
- Larkin loves playing for the Red Wings
- He is currently the Red Wings Captain and their best player
- Trading Larkin would be a setback for a team that wants to contend soon
Dylan Larkin has no hard feelings toward Steve Yzerman
On Thursday, Larkin spoke to reporters and he said his goal is to just show up every single day, play hard, and focus on playing hockey.
“I just try and show up to the rink every day and be myself and play the game hard,” Larkin said after Thursday's morning skate at Centre Bell. “I try not to look at it and let my agent do it. It’s nothing anyone can really do about it, at least on my view of things. When something happens, there are conversations, there’s talk. But I’ve been trying to just focus on playing.”
Larkin added that even though he and Yzerman are currently on the opposite side of the table when it comes to his contract negotiations, there are no hard feelings.
“It doesn’t seem like there are any hard feelings, it is just the way it is going,” Larkin said. “With Steve, I don’t really expect anything else. It’s been very professional and we’ve had a lot of conversations about the team and certain things that come up during a season with guys or whatever it may be. It’s been pretty status quo.”
Bottom Line
The bottom line is really pretty simple. If Larkin really wants to stay in Detroit long-term, and the Red Wings really want Larkin to remain in Hockeytown for the foreseeable future, the two sides are going to have to meet in the middle. As I have been saying for some time now, it seems like an 8-year, $68 million deal ($8.5 million AAV) seems fair for both sides.
