Dylan Larkin quote:

"I think there’s also maybe a shift in mentality with our team," Larkin told reporters in Toronto after lifting the Wings over the Leafs in overtime for their third straight win and seventh out of eight. "Yes, winning is fun, coming to the rink when you’re winning is way better than when you’re losing, but I think our team is pushing for more and maybe not even satisfied with where we’re at."

12 comments

  1. They’re getting better, and they know it.

    They also know that improvement is not the end goal. It looks to me that they actually believe that they are a first place, playoff caliber hockey team

  3. I’m sure losing to the bruins the other day didn’t feel good and they hated it. They did everything to prove to us since that is the case.

  5. This team is just so f’n exciting to follow right now. Just waiting for one big move or guys like Kasper or Finnie to really get goin again. Part of me cant help but be nervous about big losing streak, but this is starting to get real fun.

  6. The team looks like a team that’s sitting at the top of a division now. The stars are better than ever, Cat and Seider are really just driving the offense this year, and Seider of course is on a whole other level defensively. He’s our superstar, he’s our franchise altering talent. And of Gibby hitting his stride has been a revelation.

    But the biggest thing that’s made this team great, the 23-24 team hit on it too, is Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond don’t have to be the hero every night. They finally have depth contributions. Maybe not always on the scoresheet, but you’re getting consistent play out of Copp, Kaner can still contribute, JVR has won them games by himself, ASP has been underrated, and even guys like Finnie, Ras, and Soderblom are out there checking, taking pucks away, winning battles, just making shit happen. There’s different heroes every night.

    This team is finally playing like a team. They really do believe in themselves.

  7. Do we think they will/should bring in some additional weapons for a playoff run? And if so, what does that look like? Would they have to trade away prospects or can they get away with draft picks only?

  9. I hope they’re not satisfied. There’s still plenty of room for this team to play a better brand of hockey that will make success in the playoffs more likely.

  10. This is the difference I’ve noticed that Todd has brought to the team. Listening to his pressers, he has a very high expectation for this team and playing good isn’t good enough. I appreciate him instilling this mentality. It’s really nice to see it playing out on the ice.

  12. ToddFather has instilled so many important intangibles this team was missing: mental fortitude, leadership, continuous improvement, and a general winning culture. He knows how to keep the team hungry.

    It’s shown in Larkin a la this quote. You haven’t heard many quotes from him like this in the past, even when they were playing well.

    If I had one constructive critique of him, it would to be more assertive and active in he communicates. He often uses passive voice and is not as assertive as he could be.

    Re-imagine the quote: “…winning is way better than when you’re losing, but our team is pushing for more and not even satisfied with where we’re at.”

    Removing the “I think”s and “maybe”s seems so pedantic, but its the difference between someone who’s setting the tone and stating what they want from their team versus someone who’s framing themselves as a passenger (mentally).

    I don’t think he’s actually a passenger and speaking skills are not a prerequisite for leadership. But how you speak is reflection of how you think and influences how others who look up to you for leadership think.

    Please don’t misconstrue this as an Azizination of Lark’s character. It’s me voicing wishful thinking. I feel like teams should offer their captains speaking coaches in the off-season.

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