The Detroit Red Wings have changed their approach in the general manager's suite at Little Caesars Arena.
The NHL club announced on Wednesday morning that franchise legend Steve Yzerman is stepping away as executive vice president and general manager.
Yzerman will move into a senior advisor's role to team owner Christopher Illitch.
"This organization has given me incredible opportunities, from my time as a player to the privilege of returning as General Manager," said Yzerman in a media release. "I've appreciated every experience throughout the years, and I’m extremely proud to remain part of this great franchise."
Illitch praised Yzerman for his career-long service to the Red Wings and said that the team will begin a search for a new general manager.
Yzerman will continue to handle day-to-day hockey operations until his successor is named and will serve on an advisory committee on the search.
The change comes as the Original Six franchise, which holds the record for American NHL teams with 11 Stanley Cups, is in flux. The Red Wings have missed the playoffs for the past ten years, the longest active drought in the league. Team captain Dylan Larkin, a Michigan native who has played his entire NHL career in Detroit, has asked for a trade.
Illitch said Detroit fans have grown impatient and expect the Wings to regularly compete for Stanley Cups.
"Clearly, we are not where we and our fans expect to be as an organization," said Illitch. "I’m looking forward to bringing in new leadership to build the championship-caliber organization Hockeytown deserves."
Yzerman's name is forever linked with the Red Wings. The Hall of Famer played his entire 22-season career in Detroit, with 692 career goals for 1,755 points, and three Stanley Cups. After retiring as a player in 2006, Yzerman served for four seasons as the Wings' vice president of hockey operations, and earned a fourth Cup. His number 19 has been retired by the team.
He was also the general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2010 to 2019, setting the franchise up for success that culminated in Stanley Cups for 2020 and 2021.
