Detroit Red Wings must have big plans for their 22-year-old center Dylan Larkin since they just made him the highest paid player on the team. Red Wings confirmed on Friday that they had signed Larkin to a five-year deal which will keep him with the franchise through 2022-23. Larkin, who was a restricted free agent this summer, will earn $30.5 million over the course of the contract, or $6.1 million annually.
UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today re-signed center Dylan Larkin to a five-year contract. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/MgmOCykUf2
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 10, 2018
“In Dylan’s case, he’s been here for three full seasons.” – said Red Wings’ general manager Ken Holland. “He led our team in scoring, has been selected to play for USA the last two world championships. His resume is a little more accomplished and that’s why we signed him to a longer-term commitment.“
“He’s becoming a young player that has those leadership qualities in him. He earns respect because he plays hard and loves the game,” – Holland added.
Larkin is also happy to stay in Detroit for a long run and said that he wishes to become a leader of the team and get the Red Wings back to playoffs.
“It’s something my family and myself feel very proud that they made this commitment to me,” – he said after inking the deal. “As these five years go on and I’ll be a Red Wing for eight years by the time this is done, I want to drive the bus. I want to be the go-to guy that is going to turn us around and get us back to the playoffs.”
Dylan Larkin was taken 15th overall by the Red Wings in 2014 NHL Entry Draft and made his professional debut in 2015. Thanks to his exceptional games he was named to the 2016 NHL All-Star Game in his rookie year while leading the Red Wings in scoring. He managed to do the same in the last season, scoring 16 goals and dishing impressive 47 assists.
