Another Red Wings franchise icon is up for GM role after Steve Yzerman's firing

The Detroit Red Wings are in the middle of a front-office earthquake, and the aftershocks are only getting stronger. Steve Yzerman, who had served as general manager since 2019, was moved out of the role and into a senior advisor position, ending a seven-year tenure that never produced a playoff appearance. The franchise is now scrambling to find a replacement, and one name in particular has already set the hockey world buzzing.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed on NHL Tonight that Brendan Shanahan is among the first names that came to mind when considering potential candidates for the vacancy. Friedman noted that the Red Wings plan to cast a wide net in their search, which is being led by Ilitch Sports CEO Ryan Gustafson. Internal candidates such as Kris Draper and Shawn Horcoff are expected to receive consideration, along with external executive Evan Gold. But it is Shanahan's name that has dominated the conversation.

Why Shanahan's connection to Detroit carries so much weight

Shanahan, like Yzerman, is a bonafide Red Wings legend. He spent a significant portion of his playing career in Detroit and remains one of the most respected figures in the franchise's storied history. On the executive side, Shanahan spent roughly a decade running the Toronto Maple Leafs' hockey operations before the organization parted ways with him following the 2024-25 season. While critics pointed to Toronto's inability to make a deep playoff run during his tenure, the Leafs were consistently competitive in the regular season under his leadership. Some observers have noted that, unlike Yzerman's Red Wings, Shanahan's Maple Leafs at least reached the postseason regularly.

Friedman was careful to clarify that he was not declaring Shanahan a confirmed candidate or even a serious one at this stage. He simply identified Shanahan as a name that will inevitably surface throughout the process. Still, the mere mention has sparked speculation about what a "Shanaplan" might look like in Hockeytown, following the now-concluded "Yzerplan."

The potential Shanahan hire also carries implications beyond Detroit. If he were to land with the Red Wings, he would be running a team in the same division as the Maple Leafs, the franchise that let him go. Former executives often target familiar players and staff when they move to new organizations, and Toronto's current front office under John Chayka may already be bracing for that possibility. A Shanahan-led Detroit could also complicate any trade discussions between the two Atlantic Division rivals, particularly regarding a player like Dylan Larkin.

The timing problem Detroit cannot ignore

Perhaps the most pressing concern for the Red Wings is not who fills the GM chair, but when. The draft has already concluded. The first wave of free agency has passed. Yzerman himself oversaw six July 1 signings, a trade for Keegan Kolesar, and the team's entire draft class before being shifted upstairs. Whoever takes over will inherit a roster and a coaching staff, led by Todd McLellan, that they had no hand in assembling.

That dynamic creates an awkward reality for any incoming executive. New general managers typically want to put their stamp on a team from the very beginning, starting with the draft and free agency. Detroit's next hire will not have that luxury this summer.

Then there is the Larkin situation. The Red Wings captain has reportedly requested a trade, and that decision remains unresolved. It is arguably the most significant hockey question facing the franchise right now. If the trade is completed before a new GM is named, the incoming executive loses control of the biggest move available. If it lingers, the new hire walks into a defining crisis on day one.

Detroit finished the season with a 41-31-10 record, good for 92 points but only 16th overall in the league and sixth in their division. The team limped to the finish line with a 2-6-2 record over its final ten games. Yzerman's tenure produced a 224-251-62 overall record, and ownership clearly felt it was time for a new voice at the top. Who that voice belongs to will shape the Red Wings for years to come, and the hockey world will be watching closely to see whether another franchise icon gets the call.