The Detroit Red Wings' offseason is effectively on pause, and for an understandable reason. After letting Steve Yzerman run the NHL Draft and start of free agency, the team announced a few weeks ago that he would be stepping down as general manager and as the head of hockey operations. So now, the search is on for Yzerman's replacement, and it doesn't seem like the team is in a hurry to make that decision.
Obviously, this will hold up the Dylan Larkin trade request, which rocked the NHL world when that report dropped back in June. But negotiations ultimately went nowhere, with Larkin not budging on his four-team trade destination wishlist, and Yzerman not budging on his trade demands. It will be up on the new Red Wings general manager to decide whether or not
But, as The Athletic's Max Bultman points out, the new general manager that is hired will have to present the Red Wings' leading scorer, Alex DeBrincat, with their vision for the team. DeBrincat is set to hit free agency after this upcoming season.
New GM's plans could deterime whether Alex DeBrincat stays in Detroit or leaves
"A new GM’s vision is arguably even more important in the case of the Red Wings’ leading scorer, Alex DeBrincat, albeit with less time pressure," writes Bultman. "DeBrincat remains under contract for the coming season, but he’s now eligible for an extension, and having a strong sense of his future would also help guide the new head of hockey ops."
It is going to be pivotal for the Red Wings to make the right decision at general manager, as it could very determine whether or not DeBrincat will choose to re-sign with the team this offseason.
Make no mistake about it, if DeBrincat were to hit the open market, he will have his fair share of interested teams. During his three years with the Red Wings, DeBrincat didn't miss a single game, and his production only improved. From 67 points in the 2023-24 season to 70 points in the 2024-25 campaign. This past season for the Red Wings, DeBrincat recorded 41 goals and 44 assists, both of which were season-highs for the forward.
With these numbers, it would be difficult for the Red Wings to replace him.
A lot of dominoes need to fall once Red Wings find Steve Yzerman's replacement
From Bultman's reporting, it doesn't appear that the Red Wings are in a rush to make a decision to hire a new head of hockey operations. That's because that they have no competition for hiring a new general manager, as all other teams are moving forward with their current front office structures. So, that leaves the Red Wings with the chance to do their due diligence and ensure they make the right hire.
The first big domino that will have to fall is Larkin. Will letting Yzerman leave his post as the head of hockey operations convince the captain to stay? Or, would he help out the new general manager by expanding his trade destination wishlist? If Larkin does get traded, it does decrease the Red Wings' chances of contending for the playoffs. In that case, would they enter a rebuild or opt for a retool to try and contend sooner?
This will be a decision for DeBrincat also. Does he want to stay on a Red Wings team that won't have a feasible chance to contend in what has become an even tougher Atlantic Division? A recent report indicates that DeBrincat would like to stay, as long as he is paid market value. If the new general manager doesn't plan on doing so, don't be surprised if DeBrincat is a trade deadline candidate.
So, as Red Wings fans wait on some new updates, all they can do is hope that the next person in charge has a strong enough plan to help the team end their playoff drought and to pick up their 12th Stanley Cup title.
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