It's certainly looking like Shawn Horcoff will be named the Red Wings' next GM

With the Detroit Red Wings still searching for a permanent general manager, Shawn Horcoff’s name is starting to look like a more realistic option than it did just a few weeks ago. Horcoff represented the Red Wings as their general manager at today’s NHL Board of Governors meeting, another indication of the important role he is currently playing inside the organization. With training camp rapidly approaching and the GM search still unresolved, there is a growing argument that Detroit may already have its next GM working in-house.

Horcoff has quietly built an impressive résumé since his playing career ended. The former NHL centre played 1,008 games during a career that included lengthy stints with the Edmonton Oilers, as well as stops with the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks. After retiring in 2016, he immediately began transitioning into the management side of the game, joining the Red Wings as their director of player development. (NHL)

That first role gave Horcoff a chance to work closely with Detroit's prospects and development system. He spent six seasons overseeing and evaluating players in junior, college and European leagues while also running the organization's development camp. He then moved into the front office as assistant director of player personnel before eventually being promoted to assistant general manager in 2022. (NHL)

Perhaps even more importantly, Horcoff has also served as general manager of the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit's AHL affiliate, since 2022. That has given him something that not every NHL assistant GM can claim: actual experience running his own hockey operation. His responsibilities in Grand Rapids have included personnel decisions, contract negotiations and player movement, while also requiring him to remain closely connected to Detroit's NHL roster and prospect pipeline. (OilersNation)

That experience could make Horcoff an especially attractive candidate for Red Wings owner Chris Ilitch. Detroit has been searching for a replacement for Steve Yzerman since Yzerman stepped down following seven seasons without a playoff appearance. Horcoff has been part of the organization throughout that entire era and knows its personnel, prospects and organizational philosophy extremely well. (Spectors Hockey)

There is also the timing factor. Reports indicate that Horcoff is currently handling day-to-day operations on an interim basis, although he has been restricted from making trades. (Yahoo Sports) Meanwhile, Detroit still has major issues to resolve, including Simon Edvinsson's contract situation and the uncertainty surrounding Dylan Larkin.

The case for Horcoff became even stronger this week when MLive's Ansar Khan suggested that Detroit should seriously consider promoting him, particularly if ownership isn't sold on any of the external candidates. Khan pointed out that Horcoff has already spent three years as an assistant GM while simultaneously running the Griffins. (Yahoo Sports)

Of course, there is no guarantee that Horcoff gets the job. The Red Wings may still prefer an outside voice capable of taking the organization in a completely different direction. But if the external search fails to produce the right candidate, promoting Horcoff could suddenly make a lot of sense.

At this point, he isn't simply an assistant GM waiting for his opportunity. Horcoff has spent a decade learning the organization from the inside and has already demonstrated that he can run an AHL franchise. Now, with the GM search dragging into September, the former NHL captain could be closer than ever to getting his first opportunity to run an NHL team. (NHL)