Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde suggested that refraining from making any moves might be the boldest strategy ahead of the trade deadline on March 8th. However, his stance shifted after announcing that team captain Dylan Larkin would be sidelined for two weeks due to a lower-body injury. Larkin’s absence, given his significant contributions to the team’s performance this season with 26 goals and 28 assists in 55 games, raises questions about the Red Wings’ playoff aspirations.
Lalonde disclosed that Larkin sustained the injury during a recent game against the Florida Panthers, a match in which the Red Wings were dominated physically, reminiscent of their struggles in the previous season when they missed the playoffs. The team suffered further setbacks in subsequent games against the Ottawa Senators, where Brady Tkachuk’s aggressive play led to numerous penalties for the Red Wings.
This isn’t the first time Larkin has faced injury this season. A previous incident involving a hit from Mathieu Joseph resulted in Larkin missing nine games due to an undisclosed injury. The fallout from that incident included penalties and suspensions for players involved in the altercation.
Despite Larkin’s injury, Lalonde expressed confidence in the team’s depth, indicating satisfaction with the forward lineup during practice. The team’s ability to spread scoring across multiple players this season has bolstered Lalonde’s optimism.
There’s a consensus among some NHL commentators that the Red Wings need to toughen up, especially with players like Larkin and Alex DeBrincat, who may not excel in physical confrontations, particularly as playoff intensity rises. The latest injury to Larkin underscores the necessity for additional support within the team to address physical challenges, suggesting a need for strategic acquisitions rather than major overhauls at the trade deadline.
While currently holding a wild card spot, the Red Wings face a challenging schedule ahead, including matchups against top-tier teams like the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights. These games will test the team’s resilience, particularly in Larkin’s absence, as they strive to secure a playoff berth.
The Red Wings’ playoff drought, spanning eight years after a remarkable 25-year streak, underscores the importance of navigating through upcoming games without Larkin and avoiding pitfalls against physically imposing opponents like the Senators and Panthers, unless the team chooses to counter with its own aggressive additions before the trade deadline.