Red Wings' Larkin, Atlantic foes hunkering down during pandemic

When it comes to what's going on in the world, hockey players are just like everyone else, although perhaps trying to stay in better shape than most.

That applies to Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara, Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares and Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk, who all appeared on a Zoom conference call Monday afternoon, which was arranged by the NHL.
"I'm at home here in Detroit with my girlfriend," Larkin said. "We just got a puppy. Just trying to develop a routine, gather more information and stay safe, more importantly. I've been home and hanging out. That's about it."
Larkin revealed his new puppy, Ellie, in a recent Instagram post.
Instagram from @dylanlarkin71: Home workouts are going well with my new trainer 🐶 Welcome home Ellie!! Hope everyone is staying safe out there ❤️
When the NHL season was paused due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Chara spent his 43rd birthday driving with his family to Florida, where they have more ways to spend time outdoors while maintaining social distancing.

"Just went out for a little walk and spending as much time as I can with my family, kids," Chara said. It's been a little bit different than what we're used to but at the same time trying to make the best out of the situation."
While Chara has older kids, Tavares has a baby boy, Jayce, who was born in September.

"I'm still in Toronto, my home, with my son and wife," Tavares said. "Just trying to grasp what's going on. First couple of days just get an understanding of where things are at, what's kind of hit us. Since then just try to develop some sort of routine, some type of structure to create some normalcy and just really enjoy spending some time, especially with my son.
"When we're traveling throughout the year you're in and out so quickly, you don't get to experience that consistency until the offseason. I'm just having that time to be around them on a daily basis and help out and spend time with them has been fantastic. Just trying to make the best of it."
At 20, Tkachuk is the youngest of the four players who appeared on the call. He left Ottawa to return home.
"With my family in St. Louis," Tkachuk said. "Pretty crazy thing going on, this whole world. Spend time with family, hang out. You don't get to spend as much time with family throughout the year, to be together at this time has been good. But we're all just concerned about everybody who's been impacted."
While all of the players are enjoying the extra time with their families, they are also focused on trying to stay in shape as they don't know when or if the season will resume.
But since they can't access their usual gyms or the team facilities, they're having to make do as much as they can.
"Had to get creative," Larkin said. "I have just a stationary bike and using that as much as I can and dumbbells. The staff from Detroit sent us workouts and kind of following that, waiting to see what happens, more information.
"It's been a bit of a positive to let the body heal at this time and for myself, I haven't had a time like this, just hanging at home and taking care of my body and resting. That's been one little positive."
Tavares said he is doing similar things.
"Having time to spend with family, whether we go for a walk or playing with (young son) around the house. I got a few dumbbells, a bike as well. With the uncertainty, it's a good time to disconnect and rest as well and kind of slowly build yourself back up as hopefully some positivity comes around the corner and we get some more news."
Tkachuk has one advantage in that he has another current hockey player in his family in older brother, Matthew, a 22-year-old forward for the Calgary Flames.

"We got the Peleton downstairs and keeping active, play basketball," Tkachuk said. "It's been good. Stuff we're not used to but trying to make the most of it. Trying to stay active as much as we can."
Tavares said he was most interested in hearing some tips from Chara, whose workouts have achieved legendary status for helping him remain in the NHL for 22 years and 1,553 games.
"Pretty much like everybody else, first few days you're kind of taking it easy and just using your imagination, your body and then as you go further, been lucky, I have a few things down there, some dumbbells, stationary bike, access to a pool," Chara said. "That was one of the reasons we decided to drive down here, to spend a little more time outside.
"Our training staff from Boston is sending us a few options as far as programs, bike options, guys can do at home. And then maybe go for a jog or use roller skates, whatever you can do to stay in shape."
Being with family is obviously the best option but Larkin and the others were asked which teammate they would most and least like to be quarantined with for an extended period of time.
"I would probably say I would probably want to be with Robby Fabbri," Larkin said. "I haven't seen it but he always brags about his cooking so I think that would come in pretty clutch right now. He's a true professional as well, he's always taking care of his body so I think he'd be able to show me a couple things.
"The least is tough. I don't know. That's a tough one to be put on the spot. Maybe (Tyler) Bertuzzi, he's kind of a slob. His stall, he's always got things everywhere so he would make a mess and I'd be picking up after him, although we would have a good time."
Of course everyone is watching some television to pass the time and almost everyone seems to be obsessed with the Netflix documentary series, Tiger King.
"I don't know, it's just pretty interesting," Tkachuk said. "You see those animals but to see the people behind it, it's kind of cool."
Larkin interjected: "You think it's cool, Brady?"
"I just think it's nuts. I couldn't find the right word," Tkachuk said.
Larkin said he has watched the popular series.
"It's just interesting, the characters in the show," Larkin said. "I'm not a big fan of big cat captivity and some of the behind-the-scenes stuff but I'm glad it's not my place to be as vocal about it as some people were on the show. It's just interesting, that's all I'm going to say. I wouldn't say cool for the people."
"Wrong choice of words, my bad," Tkachuk replied.
Tavares said his wife has been the one most invested in it.
"I've seen bits and parts of it," Tavares said. "I think probably gotten as much attention as it has because pretty mind-boggling, at least from what I've seen, some of the stuff that's gone on in the show."
The Red Wings have started the DBoss Challenge for fans to post videos of their best hockey moves and celebrations using the #DBossChallenge and #TogetherDetroit hashtags.

Now it sounds like Larkin himself might get back in the game with a new DBoss video.
At least he didn't rule it out.
"It might come. I don't know," Larkin said with a laugh. "I got a little shooting area in the garage, the Dungeon 2.0, so I might have to get out there and make a video. Fans might like it. We'll see. Depends on the day, I guess."
Larkin may or may not have been kidding about a new Boss video but he was very serious in his final message for the fans.

"I just think we're all in this obviously together," Larkin said. "It's uncertain times but it's a great time to spend with loved ones, obviously in a safe way and looking out after your family is most important. We're going to come out of this and hopefully come back to normal.
"It's about people that are on the front lines of this in the hospitals, the nurses, doctors, emergency responders. They're on the front lines and they're the real heroes in this so I appreciate everything they're doing for us right now."