Detroit is still without a permanent general manager, and training camp opens Sept. 17. Shawn Horcoff is running day-to-day operations on an interim basis, with one significant restriction: he cannot make trades. Chris Ilitch has brought in an outside search firm, and the list of outside names has already been trimmed.
Most of the attention has gone to the candidates coming from other organizations. But three of the most credible Red Wings GM candidates already work in the building, and the Wings need to at least consider looking at them.
Steve Yzerman's tenure in Detroit was less than fruitful; fans and ******* ysts both tried to stay faithful to the so-called "Yzerplan." Yzerman stepped down on July 15 after seven seasons that produced zero playoff berths, and he remains with the organization as a senior adviser to Ilitch rather than having been fired outright. During his tenure there seemed to be no urgency to help the team make it back to the playoffs, even though they were within range the past three seasons.
Now, this is not the complete fault of Yzerman, as he was handcuffed by Chris Ilitch. Reports have come out that Yzerman needed approval from Ilitch on certain deals, more specifically signing Steven Stamkos as a free agent, just to see him put up productive seasons — 69 goals across two campaigns for the Nashville Predators, 27 in his first year and 42 in his second.
Yzerman's highlights of acquisitions for the team are trading for Alex DeBrincat and signing Patrick Kane coming off hip surgery. He also had his fair share of misses, such as Andrew Copp ($5.625 AAV/5 years), J.T. Compher ($5.100 AAV/5 years), Michael Rasmussen ($3.200 AAV/4 years), Vladimir Tarasenko ($4.750 AAV/2 years), and the list can go on. He made poor contract extensions and signed aging superstars to try and get any juice that they had left.
#chris
Most of the attention has gone to the candidates coming from other organizations. But three of the most credible Red Wings GM candidates already work in the building, and the Wings need to at least consider looking at them.
Steve Yzerman's tenure in Detroit was less than fruitful; fans and ******* ysts both tried to stay faithful to the so-called "Yzerplan." Yzerman stepped down on July 15 after seven seasons that produced zero playoff berths, and he remains with the organization as a senior adviser to Ilitch rather than having been fired outright. During his tenure there seemed to be no urgency to help the team make it back to the playoffs, even though they were within range the past three seasons.
Now, this is not the complete fault of Yzerman, as he was handcuffed by Chris Ilitch. Reports have come out that Yzerman needed approval from Ilitch on certain deals, more specifically signing Steven Stamkos as a free agent, just to see him put up productive seasons — 69 goals across two campaigns for the Nashville Predators, 27 in his first year and 42 in his second.
Yzerman's highlights of acquisitions for the team are trading for Alex DeBrincat and signing Patrick Kane coming off hip surgery. He also had his fair share of misses, such as Andrew Copp ($5.625 AAV/5 years), J.T. Compher ($5.100 AAV/5 years), Michael Rasmussen ($3.200 AAV/4 years), Vladimir Tarasenko ($4.750 AAV/2 years), and the list can go on. He made poor contract extensions and signed aging superstars to try and get any juice that they had left.
#chris
18 hours ago
