Larkin's Leadership Through Player Safety Call Out Last week, Detroit Red Wings captain gave a press conference in which he was visibly uncomfortable—tired, mired in a losing streak, having just returned from injury, far from eager to deliver the message he did. Dylan Larkin—addressing the media for the first time since missing four games after being knocked unconscious against the Ottawa Senators—discussed the play that caused the injury, the response from his teammates, and the response (or lack thereof) from the NHL. He said that he was "embarrassed" by the experience, and he questioned the league's commitment to player safety. Specifically, Larkin cast doubt on the efficacy of the NHL's Department of Player Safety, clarifying that he believes the NHL has the best officials in the world and that instead ambiguity from the league office leaves players feeling unsafe on the ice. On the most recent episode of The Silky Mitten State, Connor Earegood and I discussed Larkin's comments and how they showed a unique form of leadership in a sport whose culture has long been defined by conformity. For a sample of that conversation, check out the featured video above. You can find the entire conversation and full episodes of The Silky Mitten State on Spotify and Apple Podcasts: ALSO FROM THN DETROIT Red Wings Call Up Simon Edvinsson; How Can He Provide a Spark? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/red-wings-call-up-simon-edvinsson-how-can-he-provide-a-spark] Kane, Larkin, Seider Power Red Wings Through Chaos and Dubious Goaltending: Red Wings-Flyers Statistical Review [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/analysis/kane-larkin-seider-power-red-wings-through-chaos-and-dubious-goaltending-red-wings-flyers-statistical-review] Red Wings 7, Flyers 6: Patrick Kane Carries Detroit Through Chaos and Out of Losing Streak [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/red-wings-7-flyers-6-patrick-kane-carries-detroit-through-chaos-and-out-of-losing-streak] Another Disheartening Week of Red Wings Hockey, Larkin Shows Leadership on Player Safety, and Team USA WJC Excitement: The Silky Mitten State Episode Nine [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/features/another-disheartening-week-of-red-wings-hockey-larkin-shows-leadership-on-player-safety-and-team-usa-wjc-excitement-the-silky-mitten-state-episode-nine] Detroit Solid at Five-on-Five, Undone by Breakdowns and Goaltending, DeBrincat-Larkin-Kane Shows Promise: Red Wings-Jets Statistical Review [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/analysis/detroit-solid-at-five-on-five-undone-by-breakdowns-and-goaltending-debrincat-larkin-kane-shows-promise-red-wings-jets-statistical-review] "It's Kinda Spiraling Right Now, and It's a Lot of Hockey, but We Can't Make Excuses": Red Wings React to Loss in Winnipeg [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/its-kinda-spiraling-right-now-and-its-a-lot-of-hockey-but-we-cant-make-excuses-red-wings-react-to-loss-in-winnipeg] Red Wings 2, Jets 5: Detroit's Fragility on Full Display in Fourth Straight Loss [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/red-wings-2-jets-5-detroits-fragility-on-full-display-in-fourth-straight-loss] "It's Hard to Feel Safe Out There. It's Hard to Know How to Protect Yourself": Dylan Larkin Questions NHL's Commitment to Player Safety after Scary Injury [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/features/its-hard-to-feel-safe-out-there-its-hard-to-know-how-to-protect-yourself-dylan-larkin-questions-nhls-commitment-to-player-safety-after-scary-injury]
