Dylan Larkin is shaping up to join Detroit’s pantheon of legendary players, and with the 2025-26 season approaching, the captaincy candidate could push his legacy from respected veteran to franchise icon.
From the moment he broke onto the scene, Larkin has carried a leadership aura that fans and management early on believed could make him Henrik Zetterberg’s successor as team captain. Yet his true legend status isn’t defined by a letter on the jersey alone—it’s built on a string of eye-catching accomplishments and ongoing dominance on the ice.
Larkin’s rookie year featured a memorable moment that’s unlikely to be forgotten: he broke the NHL speed record at the 2015 All-Star Game, eclipsing a mark long held by Mike Gartner since 1996. Since then, he hasn’t slowed down, climbing the Red Wings’ all-time charts and showing no signs of retreat.
Among the most telling milestones is Larkin’s place in franchise history as the leading American-born scorer. He already owns that distinction, and he’s closing in on a second landmark: a potential jump into the Red Wings’ top-10 in career points. With a projected 58-point season in 2025-26, Larkin would surpass Brendan Shanahan for 10th on the Wings’ all-time points list.
The 2024-25 campaign underscored Larkin’s sustained impact. He joined a select group as the ninth Wings player to post four straight 30-goal seasons, a feat not accomplished by a Red Wings player since Henrik Zetterberg did it from 2005-06 through 2008-09. That 30-goal benchmark, now a regular fixture for Larkin, has brought his career total into the 30-plus range on multiple occasions, highlighting his proven scoring punch.
It’s not just about raw numbers. The evolution of Larkin’s supporting cast has amplified his production. Since Lucas Raymond arrived in Detroit in the 2021-22 season, Larkin’s production has surged—from a 48-point average to around 71 points per season. The on-ice chemistry with Raymond has been a constant reminder that the Wings’ offense is built to maximize Larkin’s strengths.
Looking ahead, the expectations are bold but grounded in his track record. If Larkin can reach 70 points in 2025-26, he would have a real shot at climbing into eighth place on Detroit’s all-time points list. And if he can reach around 56 points in 2026-27, that pace would likely propel him into eighth place all-time, cementing a career that Detroit fans will be talking about for years to come.
All signs point to Larkin remaining a lifelong Red Wing, with a career trajectory that blends elite production, leadership, and a lasting imprint on the franchise’s history. Should he sustain this level of play, Larkin’s name will be spoken alongside the Wings’ greatest iconography for generations.
What this means for Detroit: a steady, proven core around which the team can build, with Larkin at the heart of its identity and culture. For Wings fans, the next couple of seasons promise not just more wins, but a continuing narrative of a player whose impact transcends the numbers on the scoreboard.
Summary: Dylan Larkin has already carved out a lasting place in Detroit history, and through continued high-level scoring and leadership, he’s positioned to become a true Red Wings legend. His path offers optimism for the franchise’s present and its future, anchored by standout seasons, a growing on-ice relationship with Lucas Raymond, and the potential to climb the franchise’s all-time lists.