The Steve Yzerman era in the Detroit Red Wings front office is coming to an end.
The Red Wings announced Wednesday that Yzerman will transition out of his positions as executive vice president and general manager and move into a senior adviser role with the organization.
Yzerman will serve as an adviser to Red Wings Governor and CEO Chris Ilitch after Detroit completes its search for a new head of hockey operations.
The organization said Yzerman will remain involved in day-to-day hockey operations during the transition and assist with the search for his successor.
Detroit plans to consider both internal and external candidates.
“Clearly, we are not where we and our fans expect to be as an organization,” Ilitch said in the team announcement. “I’m looking forward to bringing in new leadership to build the championship-caliber organization Hockeytown deserves.”
Detroit Begins Search for New Hockey Operations Leadership
Ilitch will lead the search committee alongside Ilitch Sports + Entertainment President and CEO Ryan Gustafson and other organizational leaders.
Yzerman will serve in an advisory role during the search.
The Red Wings did not announce a timetable for hiring their next hockey operations leader.
Yzerman will continue overseeing daily operations until Detroit names his successor, a structure intended to preserve continuity during the transition.
The change arrives after another season without playoff hockey in Detroit.
The Red Wings finished the 2025-26 season with a 41-31-10 record but missed the postseason for a 10th consecutive year. Detroit now holds the NHL’s longest active playoff drought.
Yzerman Will Remain With the Red Wings
The leadership change does not represent a full departure from the organization.
Yzerman will remain connected to the franchise as senior adviser to Ilitch.
“My commitment to the Red Wings and this community will never waver, and I look forward to supporting the organization in whatever role is needed to achieve our collective goals,” Yzerman said.
Yzerman also thanked the fan base and described Detroit and Michigan as special places within the hockey community.
Ilitch praised Yzerman’s lifelong connection to the franchise and said the organization valued his continued involvement.
“Steve’s lifetime of contributions to the Red Wings has meant more to this franchise than words can truly express,” Ilitch said.
The Yzerplan Ends Without a Playoff Appearance
Detroit hired Yzerman as general manager in April 2019, bringing one of the greatest players in franchise history back to lead a major rebuild.
The move created immediate excitement throughout Hockeytown.
Fans embraced the rebuilding process under the nickname “The Yzerplan,” trusting the former captain’s record as an NHL executive and his history with the Red Wings.
Detroit added several young foundational players during Yzerman’s tenure, including Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper.
The Red Wings improved from the bottom of the NHL standings into a team competing near the Eastern Conference playoff line.
The postseason breakthrough never arrived.
Detroit missed the playoffs throughout Yzerman’s seven seasons as general manager, extending a drought that began after the 2015-16 season.
The organization reached 41 victories during the 2025-26 season but finished outside the playoff field again.
Ilitch’s statement made clear that ownership expects the next hockey operations leader to move the organization beyond gradual improvement and into sustained contention.
Yzerman’s Legacy Extends Far Beyond His Time as GM
Yzerman remains one of the most important figures in Red Wings history.
He spent all 22 seasons of his NHL playing career in Detroit and served as team captain for two decades. His 1,303 games as captain established the NHL record for the longest captaincy with one franchise.
Yzerman retired in 2006 with:
• 692 goals
• 1,063 assists
• 1,755 points
• Three Stanley Cup championships
His 1,755 career points rank among the highest totals in NHL history.
Detroit retired Yzerman’s No. 19 in 2007. The captain’s “C” appears on his banner to recognize his historic leadership with the franchise.
Yzerman entered the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.
After retiring as a player, he worked in Detroit’s front office before becoming general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010.
He returned to Detroit in 2019 as the franchise’s general manager.
What Comes Next for Detroit
Detroit’s next leadership decision will shape the direction of the franchise.
The incoming hockey operations leader will inherit a roster built around players including Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Alex DeBrincat and Simon Edvinsson.
The next executive will also inherit pressure to end a decade-long playoff drought.
Detroit has accumulated young talent and improved its regular-season results, yet ownership now appears focused on turning development into postseason success.
The search process will draw significant attention across the NHL.
Internal executives will receive consideration, but Detroit’s decision to open the search to outside candidates signals a willingness to examine new organizational direction.
