Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has been anointed captain. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Dylan Larkin named Red Wings' 37th captain in franchise history

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 1/13/21

The Detroit Red Wings have played the last two seasons without naming a team captain. On Wednesday, and before the start of the 2020-21 campaign, the franchise announced that Dylan Larkin would be the 37th captain in franchise history, succeeding Henrik Zetterberg.

Larkin was drafted 15th overall by the Red Wings in 2014. Since making his debut in 2015, the Michigan native was destined to take over as team captain. He is the first native of Michigan to be team captain in franchise history.

It’s official.

Dylan Larkin has been named the 37th captain in Detroit Red Wings franchise history. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/l05lknUP6B
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 13, 2021

The journey. pic.twitter.com/PPJyxwL9MX
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 13, 2021

Heading into his sixth NHL season, Larkin has compiled 266 points (107 goals, 159 assists) in 389 games. In 71 games last season, he notched 51 points (19 goals, 34 assists) on a Red Wings team that ranked toward the bottom of the NHL standings.

The 24-year-old notched a career-high 73 points (32 goals, 41 assists) during the 2018-19 season.

Larkin has three years remaining on the five-year, $30.5 million deal he signed in 2018. He'll continue to be a staple in general manager Steve Yzerman's rebuild of the franchise.

More must-reads: