The Detroit Red Wings announced Wednesday that Steve Yzerman is stepping down as the group’s basic supervisor after seven seasons on the helm.
Yzerman will transition into an advisory position with the franchise whereas the Red Wings start a seek for a brand new head of hockey operations. The gorgeous announcement comes simply three months after Detroit missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the tenth consecutive season and amid an offseason dominated by commerce hypothesis surrounding captain Dylan Larkin.
Steve Yzerman Red Wings rebuild Steve Yzerman steps down
End of an Era
Yzerman returned to Detroit in April 2019 with huge expectations after constructing the Tampa Bay Lightning right into a perennial Stanley Cup contender.
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His arrival sparked hope that the Hall of Fame captain may restore the Red Wings to championship rivalry. While Detroit steadily improved its prospect pool and collected younger expertise, the membership was unable to take the subsequent step.
During Yzerman’s seven seasons as basic supervisor, the Red Wings didn’t qualify for the playoffs every year, extending one of many longest postseason droughts in franchise historical past.
Offseason Filled With Uncertainty
The timing of Yzerman’s departure comes throughout probably the most turbulent offseasons the group has confronted in years.
Trade rumors surrounding captain Dylan Larkin have dominated headlines after experiences surfaced that he requested a commerce and later expanded the checklist of groups he would think about waiving his no-trade clause to affix.
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Although there was no indication that the 2 developments are straight related, each have added uncertainty to the longer term path of the franchise.
Who Could Be Next?
Detroit already has two skilled executives in place.
Assistant basic managers Kris Draper and Sean Horcoff have labored alongside Yzerman for the previous a number of seasons and will emerge as inner candidates throughout the search course of.
Whether the Red Wings select to advertise from inside or look outdoors the group stays to be seen, however the resolution will form the way forward for one of many NHL’s most iconic franchises.
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A Defining Moment for the Red Wings
Yzerman’s legacy as one of many best gamers in Red Wings historical past is safe, however his tenure as basic supervisor will in the end be remembered as an unfinished rebuild.
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Now, Detroit faces one other pivotal second.
With a brand new hockey operations chief on the horizon and questions surrounding the way forward for key gamers nonetheless lingering, the subsequent few weeks may redefine the path of the group for years to come back.