DETROIT – Dylan Larkin did everything he needed to do to become the first teenager to crack the Red Wings’ opening-night roster in 25 years.
“I’d say his play had to be such that he grabbed the job,” Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. “I think if he didn’t grab the job the easier thing to do would be to put him in (Grand Rapids) and see where we’re at and see how his play goes but we just felt – I specifically felt – that he makes us better.”
Speed, quickness and a very good scoring touch proved to be too much for the Red Wings’ coaches to overlook the Waterford, Mich.