Steve Yzerman is no longer serving as the executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings. The organization announced on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, that Yzerman is stepping down from his leadership role to transition into a new position as a senior advisor to Governor and CEO Chris Ilitch.
The move marks the end of a tenure that began on April 19, 2019, when Yzerman returned to the franchise where he spent his entire 22-season playing career. While Yzerman will vacate his duties as the head of hockey operations, he will remain in his current role temporarily to facilitate the transition and handle day-to-day operations until a successor is named. Additionally, Yzerman will serve in an advisory capacity on the search committee tasked with finding the team’s next leader.
A Decade-Long Playoff Drought
The leadership change arrives in the wake of the Red Wings missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 10th consecutive season. This marks the longest active postseason drought in the NHL. Under Yzerman’s guidance, the team never reached the playoffs, finishing seven points out of a spot last season.
Statistically, the team showed signs of fluctuation during Yzerman’s tenure. The Red Wings recorded an overall record of 224-251-9 under his management. After a difficult first season in 2019-20, where the team finished with a 17-49-5 record, the franchise saw incremental improvements. By the 2023-24 season, the team reached a 41-32-9 record, followed by a 41-31-10 performance last season. Despite these shifts, the organization has failed to return to the postseason, a streak that follows a historic team record of 25 consecutive playoff appearances.
“Clearly, we are not where we and our fans expect to be as an organization,” Chris Ilitch said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to bringing in new leadership to build the championship-caliber organization Hockeytown deserves.”
The Future of Captain Dylan Larkin
One of the most pressing challenges for the incoming head of hockey operations will be resolving the future of team captain Dylan Larkin. The 29-year-old center requested a trade following the conclusion of the most recent season, a request that became public on June 4. Reports indicate that Larkin’s list of preferred trade destinations includes the Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, and Florida Panthers, with the Dallas Stars also mentioned as a potential candidate.
Larkin is currently signed to an eight-year, $69.6 million contract that runs through the 2030-31 season. During his tenure, Yzerman had indicated that he did not feel pressured to move the captain and expressed comfort in retaining him if a suitable trade could not be negotiated. Larkin, a native of Waterford, Michigan, remains a central figure for the franchise, having recorded 643 points in 808 regular-season games.
Leadership Transition and Next Steps
The Red Wings have officially begun an expansive search for a new head of hockey operations. According to the organization, both internal and external candidates will be considered for the vacancy. The search committee is being led by Chris Ilitch and includes Ryan Gustafson, the president and CEO of Ilitch Sports & Entertainment.
For Yzerman, the transition represents a continuation of his long-standing relationship with the franchise. In his statement, Yzerman expressed gratitude for his time as general manager and his history with the Ilitch family.
“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. “I want to thank our passionate fanbase for their support, as they are what makes Detroit and the entire state of Michigan a very special place in the hockey world.”
Steve Yzerman’s Tenure at a Glance
The following timeline and statistics detail Yzerman’s time as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings:
| Metric | Detail |
| :— | :— |
| Start Date | April 19, 2019 |
| End Date | July 15, 2026 |
| Overall Record | 224-251-9 |
| Playoff Appearances | 0 |
| New Role | Senior Advisor to Governor and CEO |
Yzerman, a three-time Stanley Cup champion as a player and a 2009 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, previously served as the general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2010 to 2019. He will now shift his focus to supporting the organization in his advisory role as the search for new leadership proceeds.
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