Steve Yzerman Steps Down as Red Wings General Manager but Will Stay On as Senior Adviser

Steve Yzerman stepped down as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday after seven seasons in the role. The team announced his transition from executive vice president and general manager while he continues as senior adviser to governor and CEO Chris Ilitch, who is leading the search for a new head of hockey operations that will consider both internal and external candidates.

"I am sincerely grateful to Chris and the entire Ilitch family," Yzerman said in a statement. "This organization has given me incredible opportunities, from my time as a player to the privilege of returning as GM." Yzerman had a Hall of Fame career as a center for the Red Wings, retiring in 2006 with 692 goals and 1,755 points along with three Stanley Cup wins.

He joined the front office in 2006, served as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2010 to 2019, and returned to Detroit that year with the goal of restoring the franchise to contention. The Red Wings did not reach the playoffs in any of Yzerman's seven seasons as general manager. Issues intensified this offseason when star captain Dylan Larkin, 29, made a trade request public.

Larkin, who grew up a Red Wings fan and holds a contract through the 2030-31 season, provided a short list of destinations under his no-trade clause. On June 27, Yzerman stated his job required acting in the best interest of the Red Wings and that he could not guarantee Larkin's request would be met. He stepped away just over two weeks later.

"Clearly, we are not where we and our fans expect to be as an organization," Ilitch said in a statement. Yzerman will stay in his current role through the transition and serve in an advisory capacity on the search committee that also includes Ilitch Sports + Entertainment president and CEO Ryan Gustafson. Internal candidates include Nicklas Lidstrom, Shawn Horcoff and Kris Draper.