Helene St. James | Detroit Free Press

Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press

TRAVERSE CITY — Dylan Larkin has yet to be anointed captain of the Detroit Red Wings, but he sure sounded like one on the first day of this training camp.

Larkin spoke Friday of how he met with new general manager Steve Yzerman and they discussed Larkin’s role on the team, and what Larkin can learn from Yzerman, who was named captain at 21. The Wings plan to start a second straight season without a captain, after losing Henrik Zetterberg to retirement in 2018. Zetterberg succeeded Nicklas Lidstrom, who succeeded Yzerman. All three spent their entire NHL playing days with the Wings.

“Look at the guys that have led on our team before and what I can do to be an all-around leader,” Larkin said. “For me it’s exciting to have conversations like that where someone who has been through it and someone who has done it very well. It’s invaluable to my career. It’s something I’m excited and grateful for.”

Larkin said he isn’t disappointed the decision has been delayed, and that he’s focused on impressing Yzerman.

Raj Mehta, USA TODAY Sports

Yzerman wants to get to know Larkin and all of the players better before a captain is named. There is no better choice than Larkin, who is only 23 and who in four seasons has emerged as the face of the rebuild. Larkin rotated wearing a ‘A’ last season, his first wearing a letter on his sweater, splitting time as alternate captain with Frans Nielsen, but will wear a permanent lette. Nielsen will rotate with newly minted alternate Luke Glendening, and Justin Abdelkader is the other alternate.

Yzerman wants to see every player assert himself.

“I’m looking for them all to step forward as leaders on the ice and off the ice and set the tone the way we’re going to play and the way we’re going to conduct ourselves,” Yzerman said. “I want to get to know all these guys — a few of the veteran guys I know somewhat from when I left the organization, but it’s an opportunity to take the time to get to know everyone and when we eventually do name a captain, I intend that person to be the captain for a long time.”

Yzerman said he does not have a time frame for making an announcement.

Larkin goes into the 2019-20 season as the team’s No. 1 center on a line between Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi. It’s the only line that’s already determined, a no-brainer based on how they clicked down the stretch last season.

Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

“It’s a really good line in terms of how they complement each other,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “Lark’s motor always goes. Bert has a unique skill package in that he’s super hard but very, very smart. He goes to the net, real good defensively as well, and then Mo, when Mo is moving his feet, he is one of the best players in the league. He’s a big monster. It’s been a good chemistry line and we feel good about it to start the year.”

Larkin paced the Wings last season with 32 goals and 41 assists. He plays both special teams, and is on the ice late in games if the team needs a goal or is protecting a lead.

“He took a significant step last year,” Yzerman said. “What impresses me the most is his speed and his competitiveness. He’s just entering the prime of his career. From talking with everyone, from spending a little bit of time with him, he’s a worker. He’s driven. He wants to do well. I expect him only to continue to improve.”

The Wings drafted Larkin 15th overall in 2014. Since he’s come into the organization, he has impressed with his professionalism. As he has become more comfortable in his role as a leader, he has been vocal about how much he wants to lead the team back to the playoffs.

“I want to win, I want to play well, I want to represent the city and my teammates and the fans and my family as well as I can,” Larkin said. “I’m a driven person. I want to be great. I want this team to be great, and I want to have a great season.”

Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.

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