In Red Wings Land

Red Wings are ice cold and Dylan Larkin says he has to be ‘way better’ | Detroit News

“And he came out and played excellent. It’s hard, he’s competitive and it’s hard grinding away and you’re not getting results. But as we’ve talked about a ton, all you can do is learn and move on, and he has to do it at 23 years old, perceived as leading the franchise, and he has to stand up in front of everybody (media) every night and that’s a hard thing.

“But he’s grown and what makes Dylan special is he has great self-recognition, so he knows when he has to make an adjustment, his perception, the way he looks at things. He knows it.”

Detroit Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin acting like a captain as losses mount: Blame me | Freep

The Wings are 3-8, their 3-1 start fading into memory. Larkin, who sounds like a captain every time he speaks, isn’t happy to be at two goals and seven points.

“I haven’t been good enough offensively or defensively,” he said. “You want to point fingers, point them right at me. I have to be way better for this team and carry the load up front and put the puck in the net.”

That’s my captain.

I’m not sure there’s enough talent on this Red Wings team as it currently stands to turn things around and become a playoff team, but I am sure that Dylan Larkin understands his role on this team and what it means to be a leader. He knows he’s the face of the franchise and he’s embraced it wholeheartedly.

This team might be tough to watch on the ice sometimes, but it’s great to know that off the ice there isn’t anything to worry about.

Around the League

Lafreniere taking Hughes’ advice as top prospect for 2020 NHL Draft | NHL.com

Hughes, who has two points (one goal, one assist) in eight games for the Devils this season, said the biggest thing is blocking any outside interference that could distract from having a productive season.

It seems to be working for Lafreniere (6-foot-1, 196 pounds), who leads the QMJHL with 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists) in 14 games this season. He has 10 multipoint games, including five with at least four points. He had a season-high five points (one goal, four assists) in a 9-2 win against Quebec on Oct. 20.

Alexis Lafrenière?

Quinton Byfield?

Someone else?

Who do you want to see wearing the winged wheel?