Insider Suggests Yzerman Could Be Given Surprising New Role

The Detroit Red Wings are struggling at the wrong time. Now sitting outside a playoff spot and tied with the Ottawa Senators, Detroit’s 4-5-1 record in the last 10 games has people wondering what happens if the team misses the playoffs again. Could Steve Yzmerman be moved out and a new GM brought in?

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According to one insider, a new general manager might be hired, but it won’t be because Yzerman is relieved of his duties. Instead, it might be because he’s promoted.

Currently the executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on his most recent 32 Thoughts podcast: “There is this conversation right now, is Yzerman in trouble if they don’t make it?” Many believe that could be the case. Friedman isn’t so sure.

He adds, “May I present an alternate theory: My alternate theory is Yzerman goes up to President of Hockey Ops, and they promote Kris Draper or Shawn Horcoff to be the new GM.”

Yzerman Is Beloved, But Maybe Not As GM

In other words, someone else might be tasked with building a roster as the GM, but Yzerman is not going to be moved out by the organization. His responsibilities will simply be reduced in the everyday GM grind. He may still have a say in most big transactions.

If true, it’s an interesting situation. The Red Wings would essentially be saying, ‘You couldn’t do what you were supposed to do as GM, but we’d rather give you a different role than tell you to go. They’ll stick him in an executive suite instead of on the NHL unemployment line.

Some would argue that Yzerman deserves to be let go. He’s been working on his “Yzerplan” for years now, and nothing positive has come of it. What other team would allow a GM to keep his role after eight seasons of no playoffs? Probably no one, yet the Red Wings might promote him.

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