from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

Dylan Larkin is recovering, getting better and is optimistic he’ll be ready for September’s start of training camp.

But Larkin also feels a little lucky.

The neck injury Larkin sustained after being crosschecked in the back of the neck by Dallas forward Jamie Benn on April 20 could have been much worse than it was.

“Anytime you’re dealing with the neck, it’s a little scary,” Larkin said Wednesday during an end-of-season media zoom chat. “I always believed I was going to be OK. It’s something minor that needs time to heal and that’s all you can ask for. I’m just resting and trying to do the right things so I can be ready to train here soon.

“I really do believe I got pretty lucky.”

continued

Below, watch Larkin with the media today.