Dylan Larkin is the only Detroit Red Wing left from the roster general manager Steve Yzerman inherited from his predecessor Ken Holland, the only Red Wing left from the last Detroit team to crack the playoffs, and of course, Larkin is the Red Wings' captain.  In his comments from training camp in Traverse City, the 28-year-old from Waterford established the standard for his team's coming season, stemming from the sting of last spring's disappointment.

"In April, we all bought in," Larkin said, fielding a question about lessons from the near miss.  "Guys playing through injuries, guys laying it all out there, the focus when we went on the road within the team.  There were some guys that didn't have that, and that was addressed in the offseason, and we've got a ton of guys that are committed.  All of the guys that are here are committed."

Detroit is anything but an odds-on favorite to realize its postseason ambition.  Instead, most prognosticators perceive a playoff berth as a near impossibility.  However, in his comments, Larkin makes plain his own standard for the coming year, and as has been the case for nigh his entire career, it's a standard for the rest of the Red Wings to follow.

To Larkin, there can be no alternative to collective buy-in, because of course, for Detroit to achieve its ambition of defensive tightening, such buy-in will be essential.  And of course, it's hard to ignore the nugget in Larkin's comments that some players didn't buy in, and "that was addressed."  It seems in that sentiment we have the shadow of an explanation for a certain trade that sent out a veteran defenseman for a bafflingly scant return and why a certain winger fell out of favor by the end of his time with the team and wound up signing for under $1 million as a UFA.

Larkin Aims for Strong Season After Breakout Year

Dylan Larkin, captain of the Detroit Red Wings, is eager to build on an impressive last season where he achieved a point-per-game pace with 69 points in 68 games. With aspirations of reaching a "next level," Larkin emphasizes the importance of maintaining his health after missing 14 games due to injuries last season. He expressed a strong desire to dominate on the ice again, as he prepares for the 2024-25 season. Currently healthy, his performance will be critical for the Red Wings, who narrowly missed the playoffs last season, potentially influenced by his time on the bench. Larkin remains optimistic, acknowledging some aspects of injury management are beyond his control.

Staying Healthy a Key Factor

It was Dylan Larkin’s most productive season by one measure, his most frustrating in other ways. The Detroit Red Wings captain averaged more than a point a game for the first time in his career (1.01) on the best team he’s played for since his rookie season. But missing 14 games due to injuries and personal reasons and missing the playoffs on the final night of the season fuels his drive for 2024-25.

"Still pushing myself … I know I have a next level, and I would like to see what I can do," Larkin said. "I’d like to be a dominant player like I have been when I’m healthy. And that’s a big thing for me, is staying healthy this year and trying to dominate and not do too much. Just play my game and be a good playmaker, someone that makes everyone around me better."

Red Wings Aim for Playoffs After Narrow Miss

The Red Wings started training camp Thursday in Traverse City with the customary complement of new faces and optimism that they can take the next step and end an eight-year playoff drought. Having fewer regulation wins than Washington cost them a season ago.

"It stung for a while, and it was extremely hard to get over that," Larkin said. "But I think we found out what we had in our room with our guys. We battled hard. We came up short by one point. And you learn how valuable every point is. We showed ourselves last year through adversity what winning hockey looks like and mucking it up, winning a point when we maybe don’t deserve it. And I thought you saw growth in everyone and growth as a team, growth from young players. And then we made some adjustments, some new additions that I think will really complement our team."

The new additions are led by veterans Vladimir Tarasenko, a scoring winger, and Erik Gustafsson, a defenseman who’ll man the point on the power play, as well as skilled winger Jonathan Berggren and big defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who unlike last season will be with the club from the start. Cam Talbot is the potential new No. 1 goaltender.

"We got a lot of new faces again, which is always a little bit of a challenge," Larkin said. "But I think that’s why Traverse City is so important. And getting the guys together, making everyone feel comfortable and you look at the guys we added, they kind of bring maybe a little bit more youth and a little bit of the same roles of guys we lost. So, I’m expecting that we have a hard October, but we’re going to have a great camp and hopefully hit the ground running."

Larkin skated on a line with Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat on the first day while J.T. Compher centered a line with Patrick Kane and Tarasenko.

Coach Derek Lalonde said the combinations are fluid.

"I think we’re going to have a lot of different looks going into camp and then into the exhibition season," Lalonde said.

The Red Wings will practice and scrimmage at Centre I.C.E. Arena through Sunday, when camp concludes with a Red and White game (2 p.m., streamed on detroitredwings.com). The preseason opener is Wednesday in Chicago.

Larkin's Focus: Team Chemistry and Setting an Example

"Just try to get the legs going, build chemistry with your teammates, linemates, make everyone feel comfortable as the captain," Larkin said. "Try to get the guys together for golf or dinner, whatever it may be, and just really have a positive day and try to set the example out there. That’s been my focus this weekend. Today was a great start."

If Larkin can stay injury-free this season, he may surpass his previous performance levels, significantly impacting the Red Wings’ playoff ambitions. Health is paramount for Dylan Larkin; if he remains on the ice, he has the potential to be a dominant force for the Red Wings and help them secure a playoff spot.