Steve Yzerman Out as Red Wings GM; Future of Dylan Larkin Remains Uncertain
The Detroit Red Wings announced on July 15 that Steve Yzerman has been relieved of his duties as general manager and executive vice president. Yzerman, who was hired as GM on April 19, 2019, will remain with the organization as a senior adviser to CEO Chris Ilitch.
Chris Ilitch Removes Steve Yzerman from Red Wings Front Office
The move follows a tenure in which the Red Wings failed to reach the postseason. Under Yzerman’s leadership, the team compiled a record of 224-251-9. While the team saw improvements in points percentage in recent seasons, they missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 10th consecutive year last season, finishing seven points out of a spot. “Clearly, we are not where we and our fans expect to be as an organization,” Ilitch said. “I’m looking forward to bringing in new leadership to build the championship-caliber organization Hockeytown deserves.”
Larkin Trade Request Looms Over Leadership Transition
A primary challenge for the incoming general manager will be resolving the future of captain Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade in June. Larkin, 29, has expressed interest in waiving his no-movement clause for the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers. Reports linking the Dallas Stars to a potential trade remain unconfirmed.
Dylan Larkin Weighs Options With Wild, Golden Knights, and Panthers
Larkin has five seasons remaining on an eight-year, $69.6 million contract. During his tenure, Yzerman had been cautious regarding the trade request, stating that any move would depend on whether the return was worthwhile. With Yzerman exiting the GM role, the team’s path forward regarding its captain is unclear. It remains to be seen whether a new executive will negotiate a trade, if Larkin will rescind his request, or if the situation will remain unchanged.
Red Wings Search for Successor to Lead Hockey Operations
The Red Wings have initiated a search for a new leader of hockey operations, which will be led by Ilitch and include both internal and external candidates. Yzerman, a three-time Stanley Cup champion as a player and a Hall of Famer, expressed gratitude for his time in the role and his continued commitment to the franchise.
Find more reporting in our Sports section.
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