With Connor McDavid down with injury after a brutal hit in his game against the Flyers, it would appear that the race for the Calder Memorial Trophy is wide open. After what was described as a long term, upper body injury, McDavid looked noticeably shaken after what could have been the hardest hit he has taken so far in his hockey career. The first overall pick will be gone for quite a while it seems, which means that another rookie who has been playing well will have a great chance to win the Calder Memorial Trophy.
His name is Dylan Larkin. The rookie for the Detroit Red Wings has been sensational in the few games I have seen him this season. The first time I saw him was actually a preseason game against the Penguins. Larkin jet started the power play thanks to his first period goal that made the game 2-0.
He would score again in the third period to make him a gimmie for third star of the game. The teenager also looked strong in all facets of the game, frequently making smart decisions in his own zone and not allowing a goal when he was on the ice.
Of course that was just pre season. Larkin needed to prove that he could produce when the games actually started. In the season opener against the Maple Leafs, Larkin once again proved he was the real deal. He scored a goal and notched an assist to win the second star of the game, only behind Justin Abdelkader and his hat trick.
He again was impressive on the defensive end, ending up with a 3 +/-. Perhaps most impressive at all, he looked completely composed in front of 20 thousand people despite being only 19.
The success did not stop there for the young Larkin. In the next game he got an assist and an incredible 3 +/- despite playing only playing 15 minutes. He went on a five game point streak to start his NHL career, and eventually played his way to the top line. In a key early season match up against Montreal, he played 20 minutes on the top line with future hall of famer Henrik Zetterberg. He scored a goal and notched a 1+/- despite the team losing 4-1.
Perhaps with Larkin, it is not the production that matters, but it’s when he produces that truly what makes him such a promising player. With the defending Eastern Conference Champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in town, it was only fitting Larkin would do something spectacular. In the third period, the game was still tied 1-1.
After fighting to regain the puck in his own zone, Larkin joined a 3-2 rush. He received the puck from Abdelkader along the sideboards and let loose a devastating backhand that would end up being the game-winning goal. The goal meant that Larkin had scored on both Montreal and Tampa Bay, two of Detroit’s biggest rivals for the Eastern Conference title.
While Larkin has been producing in the offensive end, it has been his play on the defensive end that has been his biggest contribution. Despite the fact that Larkin only has two points in his last five games, Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill is set to put out of the top line in the next game against Toronto.
This is because of Larkin’s incredible two-way forward ability. Right now, Larkin is third in the NHL in +/-. His 10 +/- in only 12 games is amazing for a rookie who should still be adjusting to the pace of the NHL. Perhaps it is because Larkin played with Blashill last year that Larkin is playing with such ease.
He joined Blashill and the Grand Rapids Griffins when they were in the middle of a playoff push. Larkin scored five points in six games, proving to Blashill that he can be thrown into intense environments and play sensational, which should help Larkin moving forward.