Insider drops 2 names likely to replace Steve Yzerman as GM.

In recent years there has been a growing sense of frustration among the Detroit Red Wings fan base when it comes to the work that has been done by Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman. While fans were willing to give Yzerman a great deal of leeway due to his status as a legend both within the Red Wings organization and across the entire National Hockey League, patience seems to be running out.

It looked as though this season would cure all those woes with the Red Wings getting off to an incredibly hot start, but March has once again proved to be a nightmare for the Red Wings who are now once again in danger of missing the playoffs.

Recently NHL insider Elliotte Friedman was asked if a failure to make the playoffs once again could spell the end of Yzerman in Detroit, and he put forward a very interesting alternate theory. While Friedman does believe Yzerman could very well be replaced as general manager, it doesn't sound like firing him is in the cards.

"My alternate theory is Yzerman goes up to president of hockey operations and they promote Kris Draper or Shawn Horcoff to be the new general manager," said Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast.

My first question of course would be whether or not that would satisfy fans who have been frustrated in recent years? Yzerman would in theory have final say, so would that really result in meaningful change? Friedman believes that it would.

"It doesn't necessarily [change] who has final say but I think what it could do is, it empowers somebody else, you're in the league meetings," said Friedman.

Friedman acknowledges that Yzerman would remain the top dog, but points to Yzerman's age of 61 years old as another important factor here. Friedman believes that after years of grinding as both a player and an executive, Yzerman could look to lessen the burden on himself as well.

"Ultimately he would keep the power, but I just wonder if it allows someone else to have a bit more of a say, a bit more of a presence," said Friedman. "Yzerman can scale back a little bit, and I think as that happens whoever that GM is starts to have more hands on."

Would you be satisfied with this move? Let me know what you think in the comments.