The more we hear about the Detroit Red Wings and their search for a new GM, the clearer the picture becomes.
Yesterday, insider Sean Shapiro shared an update revealing multiple interview candidates for the open Red Wings GM role. This time around, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed a few major updates for the Red Wings surrounding interview candidates and the status of former GM Steve Yzerman.
"They've started to interview candidates. I think they interviewed internal candidates first. Andrew Thomas (who used to work for the Minnesota Wild)...I don't know that Andrew Thomas is going to be ready for this now, but I've heard that they think very highly of him. That is a name to remember although I'm not convinced the opportunity is going to be his now."
Thomas is the current assistant general manager for the Detroit Tigers under GM Jeff Greenberg. Thomas, per Friedman, isn't likely to get the role, but it's likely the Red Wings tap him for an AGM position in the future. Greenberg, coincidentally enough, got his fair share of mentions by Friedman as well.
"There have been some reports of Brett Peterson, Jeff Kealty...but Jeff Greenberg is the name here that interests me the most. He works for the Tigers and worked for the Blackhawks and the Cubs in the past. When this opening first came up, a couple people said to me 'Watch Jeff Greenberg on this one'. When I was away, a few people indicated they weren't sure he was part of the process, but I'm under the impression he still is."
As of right now, it appears that Greenberg, like Peterson and Kealty, is still in the interview process with the organization. Friedman mentioned that other internal candidates like Shawn Horcoff were interviewed as well, though he had no updates on any leaders in the process.
Friedman provides update on Yzerman's status with Red Wings
When asked about former general manager Steve Yzerman's status, Friedman offered some clarity on the position. He made it clear that the next general manager would have complete autonomy without having to worry about Yzerman's involvement. "Whoever takes this job is going to report to ownership," Friedman said. "They'll have their hand on the rudder of steering the ship."
One particularly interesting tidbit came at the end of the Red Wings segment. Friedman revealed that, despite his initial theory, there's a chance the Red Wings actually made the choice to move on from Yzerman.
"Initially I thought that maybe Yzerman resigned. I don't believe that's the case. I believe the Red Wings made the choice to move on."
This, in turn, comes with a handful of additional questions. Did the Red Wings choose to move on because he took too long to trade disgruntled captain Dylan Larkin? Did they do this as an attempt to mend fences with Larkin's camp? It's hard to say. Perhaps some of it had to do with free agents avoiding the Red Wings -- something Friedman believes the next GM will have to address.
"I think the Red Wings have been shocked and surprised at getting people to want to play for them and be there. I think that's a very big part of this. Explain to us how we can get back to being the Red Wings again...where people want to play for us."
All in all, it sounds like the next GM has their work cut out for them.
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