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After missing all of training camp and the preseason because of an offseason training injury, as well as the first two games of the 2026-27 season, Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin now has six games under his belt.
Larkin scored a goal and added an assist in his season debut during Detroit's 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 6. He has since added another assist, coming in the Red Wings' 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Oct. 15.
However, he hasn't quite looked like himself yet, going without a goal in his last five games while also committing a handful of uncharacteristic turnovers.
Is Larkin still feeling the effects of his original injury, or is he simply playing catch-up after missing so much time during training camp and the preseason? According to head coach Todd McLellan, it's the latter.
"I don't know about it if he is; I haven't been told anything from him or the trainers," he responded when asked if Larkin is still dealing with an injury. "But his injury prevented him from doing what everybody does right before camp, a month before you really ramp it up. The skates become more intense; body contact begins.
You play in tighter areas, you stop and start more than when you skate in late July, because you're taking it up."
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The NHL regular season is even more of a grind now with 84 games being played. Because of the shortened Training Camp and preseason schedule, all players had quicker acclimations to the new season.
Unfortunately for Larkin, who wasn't able to participate in Camp or any of Detroit's four preseason games, it's been baptism by fire.
"Win Scrappy" Todd McLellan Points To Red Wings Identity Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan made it clear on how his team needs to win games moving forward.
"Everybody knew that camp was short this year, so I think the summer skates became a little more important," McLellan said. "He had none of that, so he's playing catch-up. He simply is."
Regardless, the Red Wings are going to hope for Larkin to contribute more regularly on offense as they embark on a four-game road swing that begins on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena.
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Source: Sport
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