Larkin is dealing with a minor unspecified injury, as relayed from coach Jeff Blashill, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Larkin wasn't with the team for Monday's 5-3 win over the Blackhawks, which happened to be the preseason opener. According to Khan, the fleet-footed pivot hasn't skated for a few days, though it does sound like the Wings are simply being extra careful with Larkin, especially with consideration to a groin injury that he sustained in the IIHF World Championship.

Larkin (groin) is ready to go for training camp, Dana Wakiji of the Red Wings' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The injury caused Larkin to prematurely bow out of the IIHF World Championship tournament in May, but Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill even said at the time that it wasn't a major concern. Larkin can safely be nabbed in the early rounds of fantasy drafts after he banked a career-high 32 goals and 73 points over 76 games of the 2018-19 campaign. Also, it wouldn't surprise us if the Wings name him the primary captain ahead of puck drop for the season opener -- Larkin's a consummate professional and true leader at the tender age of 23.

According to Team USA coach Jeff Blashill, Larkin (groin) will miss the rest of the IIHF World Championship tournament, but he'll "be fine," Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Americans may be packing their bags if they fall to the Russians in Thursday's quarterfinal match anyway, so this news doesn't come as a surprise. There's no reason to believe Larkin's groin issue is overly serious, so he should be back to 100 percent well ahead of next season's training camp. The 22-year-old pivot will be looking to build on a 2018-19 campaign in which he set career highs in goals (32) and points (73) in 76 contests.

Larkin (groin) is doubtful to suit up for Team USA in Thursday's 2019 IIHF World Championship quarterfinal clash with Russia. Coach Jeff Blashill told reporters, "I don't have that final word yet, but it doesn't look like he will be available (Thursday), Igor Eronko of Sport-Express reports.

EDGE Analysis

Larkin's absence will certainly hurt the Americans' chances of getting past a stacked Russian squad that includes Nikita Kucherov, Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. Of biggest concern to fantasy owners will be the 22-year-old Larkin's long-term health, which doesn't seem to be in question at this point. The dynamic center should be ready to go for training camp in the fall and figures to challenge for the 80-point mark.

Larkin was hurt blocking a shot in the first period of Tuesday's World Championship clash with Canada, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Larkin was hit in a rather sensitive area while blocking a shot and didn't come back onto the ice for the second period. There is little reason to think this will be a long-term injury, though he could certainly miss some time for Team USA. The center ended the 2018-19 campaign with 11 points in eight games, setting new career highs in goals (32), points (75) and shots (73). Larkin -- who is expected to be named the captain for Detroit next season -- could push for even more points in 2019-20 and figures to get back over the 70-point threshold once again.

Larkin is expected to be named captain of the Red Wings ahead of the 2019-20 season, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This isn't the least bit surprising, as the 22-year-old is a natural born leader and fresh off a team- and career-high 73 points (32 goals, 41 assists) for the 2018-19 campaign. With Henrik Zetterberg forced to retire due to injury, Larkin spent the season as one of four assistant captains, but GM Ken Holland wants a young leader steering the club in a better direction after three consecutive years of missing the playoffs. "If you look at our assistant captains, the other three are older players," Holland said. "Ultimately, the next captain of the Detroit Red Wings is going to be somebody young."

Larkin posted three assists in a 4-1 victory against the Penguins on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Wings are on a six-game winning streak, and Larkin has a point in each of those wins. During the streak, he has five goals and 11 points with a plus-11 rating. Larkin already had career bests in the offensive categories before this run, so really this is just icing on the cake, but the 22-year-old has 32 goals and 73 points in 74 games this season.

Larkin collected an empty-net goal and a helper in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

Larkin is up to five goals and three assists with a plus-9 rating during his five-game point streak. He's also fired 26 shots on goal in that span. The fourth-year center has reached 70 points for the first time in his career. With a career-high 280 shots, he ranks ninth in the league for putting pucks on net.

Larkin scored a goal and an assist in Friday's 4-0 win over the Devils.

EDGE Analysis

He also fired a game-high eight shots on net while recording a plus-3 rating. Larkin has found the scoresheet in four straight games, piling up four goals and six points, and the 22-year-old is now two points shy of his first career 70-point campaign with four games left on the schedule for Detroit.

Larkin scored twice Thursday in a 5-4 overtime win over the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

And with that, Larkin has hit the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career. It is likely the first of many. Larkin is on a three-game, four-point streak that includes three goals. Use him well.