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Coaching change ‘one of the reasons’ Larkin signed with Wings

USA v Switzerland - 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Quarter Final

Dylan Larkin

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The Detroit Red Wings have a reputation for letting their prospects stay in the minors until they are overripe, but 19-year-old Dylan Larkin thinks the timing is right for a young player to compete for a roster spot. Part of the reason for that belief is the fact that head coach Mike Babcock has left and been replaced by Jeff Blashill.

“That is one of the reasons I decided to sign and leave college,” Larkin told NHL.com. “There is a new coach and there seems to be some older players who might be on their way out. I think it is a great opportunity for me to learn from them. Growing up in Detroit you hear so much about those guys. I have watched Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk my whole life, so to be in the same room as them would be an incredible experience.”

Larkin had 15 goals and 47 points in 35 games with the University of Michigan last season. It was his freshman season, but the Michigan-native felt that a single year was enough time in the NCAA under the circumstances. He signed with Detroit on May 21, the day after Babcock left the Red Wings.

Regardless of who the head coach is though, Larkin will have a tough time making the roster out of training camp. Red Wings GM Ken Holland suggested as much back in July, noting that Larkin can’t make the team unless Blashill sees a lineup spot for him, as it wouldn’t make sense to keep him with Detroit if he’s just serving as a depth forward.

Taken with the 15th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Larkin is one of Detroit’s top prospects. However, cracking Detroit’s top-12 this year won’t be a small task for him as the Red Wings have a logjam up front with 15 players signed to one-way contracts.

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