Steve Yzerman, the architect hired in 2019 to rebuild the Red Wings, officially stepped down Wednesday morning, leaving owner Chris Ilitch scrambling for a replacement and the entire organization on thin ice. It's a move that caught everyone off guard, throwing a wrench into what was supposed to be a steady path forward.
The Timing of Yzerman's Exit Is Just Wild
Beat reporter Ted Kulfan didn't pull any punches on Episode 149 of The Detroit News' OctoPulse podcast, saying he was "shocked" by the timing of Yzerman's decision. Seriously, who wouldn't be? Kulfan questioned why owner Chris Ilitch would even let Yzerman handle the draft and free agency if a change was coming this quickly. It doesn't make sense, right? Kulfan even hinted that the ongoing Dylan Larkin saga could've been the final straw. That deal is clearly not getting done anytime soon, which is a massive headache. Kulfan himself thought Yzerman was locked in for "at least a couple of years," noting he hadn't shown any signs of backing down in his press conferences. This exit is sudden, and it definitely feels like there's more to the story.What's Next For This Bleak Red Wings Future?
Let's be real, the immediate future for the Red Wings looks pretty grim. Kulfan flat out stated, "This team's future in the near term isn't very good." They're not making the playoffs this year, not with Larkin still apparently looking for a situation where he has a chance to win. That's a tough pill to swallow for fans who have been patient through this rebuild. Larkin might not be "public enemy No. 1," but he's "definitely not one of the most popular folks in Detroit" right now. Kulfan expects fans will "boo the heck out of him on opening night," and it probably won't get any quieter. Whoever steps in as the new GM will likely have a "longer leash" and a tough decision to make: trade Larkin, who's a "valuable chip," for "draft picks and future young players." Talk about starting from scratch. So, who's even in the running for this mess? Kulfan mentioned assistant GMs Kris Draper and Shawn Horcoff, ex-Sabres GM Kevyn Adams, and even Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger. Whoever it is, they're walking into a firestorm with a team that's clearly not ready to compete. The Red Wings have some serious work ahead to get out of this mess Yzerman left behind.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.