Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has taken a lot of flak following yet another turbulent March. He’s nearing the end of his seventh season in the Red Wings front office, and he has yet to get this team into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Yet once again, he has the Wings knocking on the door.
Detroit Red Wings and NHL Rumours Regarding Steve Yzerman
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman recently speculated on Steve Yzerman’s future with the Red Wings and provided a theory of his own.
Analysis: Missing the playoffs for a seventh-straight season under Yzerman could move him out of his general manager’s seat in multiple ways.
Steve Yzerman’s Time With the Red Wings Has Been Turbulent
On the March 30th addition of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman said, “There’s conversation right now, is Steve Yzerman in trouble if they don’t make it; may I present an alternate theory…Yzerman goes up to president of hockey operations and they promote like Kris Draper or Shawn Horcoff.”
Promoting Yzerman to president of hockey operations would be shortsighted, considering his track record in Detroit. It would also be shortsighted to force him out of the GM’s chair, even if the fans and the organization are showing signs of impatience.
Credit Image: © Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press via ZUMA Press Wire
Yzerman earned his stripes with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa is still relevant today, and Yzerman’s efforts were a catalyst. So, when the Red Wings legend returned home to Hockeytown, fans thought for sure he’d have the team crossing the playoff threshold.
Unfortunately, that may not be the case again this season. But that doesn’t mean Yzerman must go anywhere. No, the Red Wings aren’t deep. And no, they don’t have enough proven stars next to Dylan Larkin, Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, and Alex DeBrincat.
The jury is out on Simon Edvinsson, even if he’s trending upward. Emmitt Finnie is a high-energy player, but isn’t yet a consistent producer. Marco Kasper brings a similar brand as Finnie, but his production tanked this season.
Meanwhile, players like Justin Faulk, John Gibson, Patrick Kane, James van Riemsdyk, and Ben Chiarot are well into their thirties. There are no guarantees any of them will be in town much longer beyond their respective contracts. And the young talent who could replace some of them isn’t proven. That said, it’s tough to move from a general manager who has this team playing meaningful games in March and April.
Steve Yzerman Still Has the Red Wings in Contention Annually
Detroit’s March struggles have become a recurring theme. But in each season, they entered March firmly entrenched in a playoff spot. That alone shows improvement.
When you take a team that had been torn down and embarked on a long rebuilding project, this is what growing pains look like. Growing pains also mean the team has grown, or else they wouldn’t be contending to end their playoff drought in April.
Since the Wings surpassed their 2024-25 points total on Thursday, they grew yet again. So why would anyone consider moving on from Yzerman? The playoffs may or may not happen this season, but getting the team on the verge means the postseason is there for the taking with a few more tweaks.
Steve Yzerman’s Sense of Urgency Must Increase Dramatically
If the Wings miss the playoffs again, two things must happen. One, Yzerman must feel the pressure. Two, because he must feel pressure, he also needs to potentially make blockbuster moves. That might mean giving up prospects to a low-tier team for proven talent. Looking at the big picture, trading unproven youngsters for a player (or two) you know can play shouldn’t take much thought.
It’s not like this team is in the early stages of a rebuild. Even if it means parting ways with a former first-round pick or even a future first-rounder, do it. The good news is that it might not even take a major price to bring in enough talent to all but make the Red Wings a lock for the playoffs in the future.
The bottom six has been inconsistent all season. Even if a big-time trade is off the table, acquiring grinders, depth scorers, and heavy hitters would make for an excellent consolation prize. Getting just three players to retool the bottom six could pay dividends.
Yzerman must also lock up elite talent, like Alex DeBrincat. DeBrincat has been so lights out in 2025-26 that a long-term contract would be a lure to bring in the right players. If Yzerman sticks around and is aggressive in extending top talent and using it to acquire proven talent, the narrative surrounding the Red Wings general manager will shift dramatically.
Main Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
