We now know who got Steve Yzerman removed as GM of the Red Wings
Photo credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
New reporting suggests the Detroit Red Wings' front office shakeup was about more than results on the ice.
According to insider Anthony Di Marco, moving Steve Yzerman out of the general manager's chair was partly a calculated step toward repairing the relationship with captain Dylan Larkin.
Di Marco says the Red Wings pushed out Yzerman partly to reconcile with their captain, and that with Yzerman out of the picture, some around the league believe Detroit has a better chance of convincing Larkin to stay.
What Di Marco Learned From a Rival GM
Speaking on TSN 690, Di Marco relayed a conversation with a rival general manager who described Yzerman's departure as a calculated front office decision. He quoted the executive directly.
Speaking with a GM about a month ago, the opinion I got was that they are trying to reconcile with Larkin and part of that was moving Yzerman out.
Larkin requested a trade out of Detroit in early June, with reports indicating he would only accept a move to a handful of teams, including the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild. Friction between Larkin and Yzerman reportedly dates back to the end of the 2024-25 season.
Detroit Shifts From Trading Larkin to Keeping Him
Rather than pushing forward with a trade, Detroit now appears focused on convincing its captain to stay long term.
The Red Wings have shown little willingness to move Larkin without receiving significant value in return, even as Minnesota, Vegas and Florida remain linked to him.
Whether Larkin is open to reconsidering his stance remains unclear, and some reporting suggests the rift may be too deep to fully repair even under new management.
As for Yzerman, his exit did not mean leaving the organization entirely. The Red Wings announced on July 15 that Yzerman became senior adviser to governor and CEO Chris Ilitch.
The move keeps his hockey mind in the building while removing him from day-to-day decisions involving Larkin's future.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Fans react to Ivan Barbashev being traded to Canadiens in latest blockbuster proposal
Fans react to Ivan Barbashev being traded to Canadiens in latest blockbuster proposal