Red Wings reportedly have Yzerman's replacement lined up and it's a blockbuster name

The Detroit Red Wings have been operating in near-total silence since Steve Yzerman stepped aside from his role as general manager in mid-July, transitioning into an advisory position for owner Chris Ilitch. That kind of quiet usually means one of two things: either the organization has no idea what it's doing, or it knows exactly what it's doing and doesn't want anyone else to find out. Based on what's starting to leak out, it might be the latter.

The timing of Yzerman's departure caught a lot of people off guard. Most GM hiring cycles wrap up well before mid-July, meaning Detroit missed out on some of the offseason's marquee candidates. Sunny Mehta landed with the New Jersey Devils, and Chris MacFarland took the president of hockey operations title in Nashville. The Red Wings were left to pick through what remained, but that doesn't mean the cupboard is bare. Far from it, actually.

A Dallas Star Rising to the Top

According to multiple reports, including one from The Grind Line Podcast and another from NHL insider Jeff Marek, Scott White has emerged as the clear front-runner for the vacant position. White has served as the Dallas Stars' assistant general manager since 2013 and has run their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, since 2009. That's nearly two decades of continuity inside one of the league's most stable and successful organizations.

Dallas GM Jim Nill reportedly considers White his right-hand man, which says a lot about the trust he's earned behind the scenes. The Stars finished last season with 50 wins and 112 points, good for third overall in the NHL. Detroit, by contrast, went 41-31-10 for 92 points and missed the playoffs entirely. If the Red Wings are looking to import a winning culture, White's pedigree fits the bill perfectly.

White isn't the only name floating around, though. Brendan Shanahan has also surfaced as a candidate, which would make for a fascinating storyline given his history as a former Red Wings player and his experience running the Toronto Maple Leafs. Internal candidates like Shawn Horcoff and Kris Draper are reportedly getting consideration as well. Horcoff, currently an assistant GM in Detroit, managed the Grand Rapids Griffins to a standout AHL season, while Draper is a beloved figure within the organization. Marek noted that the process has been "really, really sealed up," but confirmed that White will likely get an interview at minimum.

One name that fans can stop speculating about is Jim Rutherford. According to Marek, there is nothing connecting the veteran executive to the Red Wings' search.

A Complicated Inbox Awaits the New GM

Whoever ultimately lands this job isn't walking into a calm situation. Dylan Larkin, the team's captain who posted 34 goals and 67 points last season, has reportedly submitted a trade request. That's a massive complication for any incoming executive, and it will likely be the very first item on the new GM's to-do list.

Beyond the Larkin situation, the new hire will inherit a roster still largely shaped by Yzerman's moves and will need to chart a path toward legitimate Stanley Cup contention. The Red Wings have also signaled they're open to both internal and external candidates, and there's been speculation that the organization could lean toward a more analytics-driven approach. The Ilitch family's other pro sports team, the Detroit Tigers, has already gone down that road, and names like Sam Ventura of the Buffalo Sabres and Darren Yorke of the Carolina Hurricanes represent that kind of data-forward philosophy.

Other intriguing external candidates include Brett Peterson, an assistant GM in Florida who helped build the Panthers into a back-to-back Cup champion, and Ryan Martin, a current Rangers executive who spent 16 years in Detroit's front office before moving on. Evan Gold, recently departed from the Boston Bruins, and several others round out what remains a deep candidate pool despite the late start.

No hire is official yet, and reports suggest the Red Wings may not finalize their decision until September. But with White's name continuing to gain momentum and the Larkin situation adding urgency, this search feels like it could reach a resolution sooner rather than later. Detroit's next chapter is about to begin, and the hockey world is watching closely to see who gets the keys.