Detroit “The timing, if nothing else, is a bit odd.
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who can begin negotiating a contract extension July 13 on the NHL’s first day of free agency, has decided to change representation.
Larkin is now with CAA, represented by Matt Williams and Pat Brisson, leaving KO Sports.
Larkin, 25, is about to enter the final year of his five-year, $30.5 million contract ($6.1 million per salary cap reached) he signed in 2018.
Kurt Overhardt, general manager of KO Sports, was disappointed to learn of Larkin’s decision in a statement released Thursday.
“Relationally, Dylan Larkin has worked primarily with my business partner, Joe Oliver. Over the past 11 years, Joe has wisely guided Dylan through countless questions both on and off the ice,” Overhardt said in his statement. There was never a single issue raised between Dylan and Joe for their entire professional relationship and Joe was completely blindsided by that decision. For the past few months, Joe had worked directly with Dylan to negotiate his contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings.
“As with all of our clients, our work on Dylan’s behalf was at the highest level in all situations. We are very disappointed with his decision and the timing.
CAA is one of the largest and most prestigious agencies in the NHL, representing Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Patrick Kane, Jack Eichel and Jack Hughes.
Red Wings forwards Jakub Vrana and Lucas Raymond are also clients.
Larkin is coming off one of his best seasons, with 31 goals and 38 assists for 69 points in 71 games. Larkin ended several weeks before the end of the program to undergo core muscle surgery.
At his end-of-season press conference, Larkin, a Waterford native who played at Michigan, said he was confident and hopeful a new contract deal would be worked out – but was ready for anything.
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“I’m pretty confident,” Larkin said of agreeing to a new contract at some point. “I’ve never been in this position with (general manager) Steve (Yzerman) so I’m excited to see what he has to say. I would really like to do something. I don’t know if there’s had some conversation yet, but just waiting to hear.
“Just, as I got older and had more experience in the league, I really saw with my own eyes with my old teammates and friends that I really learned the business side of the game. Being here, I just finished my seventh season and I really love being a Detroit Red Wing, and I love being the captain of the team and this team is going to do some special things in the near future.
“I don’t really imagine myself being anywhere else, but I also understand that there is a commercial side to hockey.”
Although optimistic about the Wings’ future, given the impact of rookies Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, Larkin admitted that losing the Wings in recent years has been difficult.
“It’s tough to be in that position again, yeah, but I love being a Detroit Red Wing and I love the passion our fans have brought to the rink this year,” Larkin said. “I love that we have a great group of young players and a great dressing room that has certainly made the tough times easier by showing up at the rink and fighting with good people.
“But, I don’t think anyone wants to be in this position forever, or much longer, certainly. There is frustration, but I understand what Steve is trying to do and what the end goal is, and that is to win the Stanley Cup for our fans and the city of Detroit.
“I believe in it and I’m excited for the future.”
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan
