That's Larkin's nature, and key as he tries to take the next step in his NHL career and the Red Wings continue rebuilding.
"I want to be the guy," Larkin said. "I honestly don't believe in No. 1 centers in the NHL [in terms of labels]. Who's the No. 1 center in Toronto? Who's the No. 1 center in Pittsburgh? You've got to have two centers. [But] I want to be the guy that's out there whether we're down by a goal and we need to score with a minute left or we're up by a goal and taking that huge faceoff in your [defensive] zone. So just want to be looked at as that, like Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg have for so long in Detroit."
The Red Wings need Larkin to become the guy. Datsyuk left for SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League after the 2015-16 season, the last of Detroit's streak of 25 straight Stanley Cup Playoff appearances. Zetterberg turns 38 on Oct. 9 and has back problems. General manager Ken Holland has said he expects Zetterberg to play this season, but it is not certain.
Larkin turns 22 on Monday. A restricted free agent, he said there are no major issues in contract negotiations. He doesn't feel like a veteran yet, even though he's entering his fourth NHL season and the Red Wings will give opportunities to younger players, including forwards Michael Rasmussen, 19, and Filip Zadina, 18.
"We have one of the best veteran cores in the NHL of people and players," Larkin said. "They're special people, and they're established. When I think of a veteran, I think of someone who's paid their dues and been around and knows the ins and outs and have a lot of respect."
Larkin isn't there yet, though he made strides last season. He had NHL career highs with 63 points, 18 more than ever before, and 47 assists, 25 more than ever before. He averaged 19:51 of ice time in 82 games, 3:18 more than ever before. It wasn't for lack of chances that he scored 16 goals, the fewest of his NHL career. His shooting percentage was a career-low 6.9.
"I want to be a way better player," Larkin said. "I know I can be a way better player to help myself and our team, and I've got a long way to go. I thought I had a pretty good year, but I want to be that guy like I was talking about."