Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin’s relentless leadership and consistent elite play continue to drive the Detroit's rise as he anchors the team both on and off the ice.
The Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin continues to lead the team as their steady top line centre since joining the team during the 2015-16 season. This past season, he played in all 82 games while averaging just over 20 minutes of ice time per game and acting as one of the best leaders in the NHL, playing crucial roles up-and-down the lineup like playing on both the power play and penalty kill.
Offensively, Larkin was once again a leader for Detroit with 30 goals and 40 assists for 70 points. It marked the fourth straight season that the 28-year-old recorded 69 or more points and continues to prove that Larkin is an elite NHL forward. Within his own team, Larkin tied for second in total points alongside Alex DeBrincat and ranked second in goals, trailing only DeBrincat, who scored nine more.
Larkin made his biggest impact in the faceoff circle, finishing the season with a 54.5 percent success rate, placing him among the top 12 centres in the league who took at least 1,200 draws.
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On the financial front, Larkin is tied to Detroit through the 2030–31 season after extending his contract on March 1, 2023. His eight‑year, $69.6 million deal carries an average annual value of $8.7 million, with his 2024–25 base salary reaching $11 million and a cap hit of $8.7 million. The former Michigan Wolverine will be with Detroit for at least six seasons with a full no‑trade clause until 2027, which then shifts into a 10‑team no‑trade list. It's safe to say the captain likely isn't going anywhere and if the Red Wings win the cup anytime soon, it'll be Larkin getting the first handoff.
Beyond raw numbers, Larkin’s leadership resonates in locker rooms and rinks far beyond Detroit. During the 2025 Four Nations tournament, hockey fans got a first hand look at Larkin's talents as Team USA started him off on the fourth line before quickly promoting Larkin all the way up to the first line with Auston Matthews and Brady Tkachuk. Head coach Mike Sullivan would also deploy Larkin when they needed clutch faceoff wins.
Through nearly a decade in the NHL, Larkin has evolved into a cornerstone leader, and his 2024–25 campaign only reaffirmed his value. He remains the constant engine and leader that drives Detroit’s rise to hopeful playoff contention next season. Still at a very young age, Larkin still has some of his best years ahead of him and will seemingly continue to be the face and heartbeat of Hockeytown.
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