Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Derek Lalonde provide an update on the Red Wings' arrival in Stockholm
After the Red Wings got straight to business with a practice shortly after touching down in Sweden, Lucas Raymond, Dylan Larkin, and Derek Lalonde met with the media for some preliminary reflections on the experience. Here's what they had to say:
Jan 17, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) celebrates a goal with left wing Lucas Raymond (23) against the Arizona Coyotes in the second period at Mullett Arena. Dylan Larkin
-On adjusting to practice after a long flight: "We just got in, so it's pretty tough—trying to get our bodies moving, get acclimated as quickly as we can, and kinda work out the plane legs. I thought it was a productive skate. We have a day off tomorrow, which'll be really nice to see the city a little bit and recover from yesterday's game and the flight. It's good to be here."
-On balance between fun of trip and taking care of two important games: "We're here for two games; that's why we're here. We have some time off, but the main objective is two divisional games...we're ready to play some good hockey, and it'll be good for the fans over here to see games like that, mid-season games. Four big points available for us in our division."
Lucas Raymond
-On serving as a tour guide for his teammates: "I'm from Sweden, but I'm not from Stockholm, so I'll do my best. It's gonna be a good time. I think everyone's excited. Sweden is a great country, I love Sweden, so I'm excited to be here obviously and get to show the guys some Swedish stuff."
-On influence of Swedish Red Wings alumni: "If you just look around on the walls walking through the building [in Detroit, you see] the history of the Swedes and what they did for the game of hockey here in Sweden as well. I know a lot of players grow up idolizing those guys, and it's pretty cool to get to see those guys when they come over as well. To talk to them, listen to them, take in as much as possible. Detroit is a great city, and you can tell that they left a big mark."
-On excitement of playing in home country: "Like Dylan said, we're here to play two big games, but at the same time, it's a little bit more special for me—friends and family being able to watch me live. Some are coming up here to see me as well. It's gonna be two big games."
Derek Lalonde
-On getting acclimated early ahead of games later in the week: "We'll see. We've pretty much done exactly what our nutritionists and sports science team asked us to do right from Friday night into the game, travel, recommended skating. Got a light skate today, and we'll try to stay up until a certain time, and hopefully it benefits us going forward."
-On whether the team considered bringing players like Simon Edvinsson or Jonatan Berggren along for the trip: "Yeah, we talked about it even right before we left. Probably just the big picture was more important where some of those guys were with their development—getting games [in Grand Rapids] felt the right decision now. We were sensitive to it. We talked about it, understanding the type of experience it could be...but ultimately, I think the big picture won out on it."
-On balance of enjoying trip and focusing on two important games: "I think the league did that for us. They did a great job to get us in here with plenty of time to get acclimated. The guys will have some time on the front end to experience the city a little bit, and then we get two practices. And today's NHL, getting back-to-back practices, no matter where you are, is hard to do, so I think it works out very well."
-On opportunity for team bonding brought about by the trip: "I also think it's a good time for our guys. I remember coming here with Tampa, and this is a very important, emotional city for me. It's literally on one of my Stanley Cup rings: the word 'Stockholm.' We came here with Tampa flirting around .500. Pat Maroon self-appointed himself social chair; he did some of his best work ever. It was just an opportunity to get away from some of our routine back in North America, and we really felt the guys having some time together bonded, and I think we took off from there. I think all four teams that come out here hope to get a similar experience with it...It's different from the regular grind."
-On whether there is anything about Stockholm in particular he's looking forward to returning to: "Well, I did the Vasa Museum [a maritime museum featuring a well-preserved 17th century warship, the Vasa, which lends it its name] last time, and that was a really neat experience. I'm told it's closed now...the guys raved about the ice bar last time. I skipped that; I was on my best behavior, being an adult, but the guys liked it. Just being around the city, we'll go to dinner tonight as a staff—experiencing something different."
-On opportunity to bring live NHL hockey to Swedish hockey fans: "The interaction with the fans last time was awesome to me. It stood out. We played Buffalo last time—two superstars from Sweden playing in that game on the back end [Victor Hedman and Rasmus Dahlin]. The fans here were so appreciative. It was so energetic. The before and after, there was an energy about it from the fans."