Red Wings GM candidate turns down job due to "a lack of full autonomy"

The Detroit Red Wings are still searching for a permanent general manager, but the answer to their front-office questions might already be sitting inside the organization. Interim GM Shawn Horcoff looks like an increasingly obvious candidate to take over the job full-time, especially after reports surfaced that Detroit Tigers manager Jeff Greenberg turned down an opportunity to become the next general manager of the Red Wings.

According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, Greenberg reportedly received an offer to take over the Red Wings in September but ultimately declined because of what was described as a "lack of full autonomy" to do the job. If that report is accurate, it raises some serious questions about how much authority candidates are actually being offered in Detroit and whether ownership is willing to give its next hockey boss the freedom necessary to build a contender.

Greenberg's reported decision is particularly interesting given his existing connection to Detroit's professional sports landscape. As the manager of the Tigers, he is already working under the ownership of Chris Ilitch, who also oversees the Red Wings. That familiarity presumably would have made him an intriguing candidate, but it appears that the prospect of taking on a second major leadership position wasn't enough to overcome concerns about the level of control he would have over hockey operations.

And that brings us to the biggest question surrounding this search: How much power is Ilitch actually willing to hand over?

There have been persistent rumors that the Red Wings' owner is reluctant to loosen his grip on hockey-related decisions and would prefer to maintain a significant degree of control over the franchise. If prospective candidates believe they won't have the final say on important personnel decisions, it could make the GM position considerably less attractive than it should be for a historic Original Six organization.

The reported Greenberg rejection also makes Horcoff's candidacy that much more compelling. The former NHL forward has been with Detroit since 2016, initially working in player development before becoming an assistant general manager in 2022. He has also served as general manager of the Grand Rapids Griffins, giving him experience overseeing both the NHL organization and its AHL affiliate.

Unlike an outside candidate, Horcoff already understands Detroit's organizational structure, its prospect pool, its contracts and the decisions that helped bring the franchise to this point. He doesn't need an extended orientation period, and he has already been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing hockey operations while the search continues.

Of course, familiarity alone doesn't guarantee that Horcoff is the right person for the job. Detroit needs someone capable of making difficult decisions, particularly with the club coming off a 10th consecutive season without a playoff appearance and significant questions surrounding the future of Dylan Larkin. The next GM will have to determine whether the current roster can finally break through or whether more substantial changes are necessary.

But if Greenberg really did walk away because he wasn't comfortable with the authority being offered, Horcoff's willingness to remain in the position could become a decisive factor. The question is whether he would be given the freedom to make those difficult decisions himself.

Pagnotta's report adds fuel to concerns that Ilitch may want the benefits of hiring an experienced hockey executive without relinquishing the control that normally comes with the position. If that perception spreads around the league, Detroit could have trouble attracting the kind of established executive capable of turning things around.

There is, however, an important distinction here: the Red Wings have publicly stated that Horcoff has full authority over hockey operations during his interim tenure and remains under consideration for the permanent position.

That doesn't settle the broader questions about ownership's preferred management structure, but it does establish that Horcoff is being trusted with significant responsibility.

For now, the Red Wings have a decision to make. They can continue searching for an outside candidate who may or may not be comfortable working under Ilitch's leadership, or they can promote Horcoff and give him the opportunity to prove himself.

After the reported Greenberg rejection, the internal option looks increasingly logical. If Horcoff can demonstrate that he has a clear vision for the franchise and the ability to execute it, Detroit might not need to look much further.

One correction to the opening terminology: Jeff Greenberg is the Detroit Tigers' general manager, not the team's field manager.