After what felt like an eternity of silence, we finally have some news on the Detroit Red Wings general manager search.
According to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, the Red Wings have hired an external firm to help with their general manager search.
"[Red Wings Owner and CEO Chris] Ilitch and therefore by extension the firm, is believed to be looking for an analytics-driven person to take charge of the Wings," says St. James, "similar to how his Detroit Tigers plucked Scott Harris from the San Francisco Giants in 2022."
This is a huge departure from the traditional approach the Red Wings have taken in the past with hires like Steve Yzerman and Ken Holland. With that said, however, what can be expected from this new hire? And - more importantly - how long will it take?
Horcoff handling day-to-day operations
Per St. James, assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff is handling day-to-day operations with the Red Wings, though this does not extend to making trades. Whether St. James included this as a point of clarity or a hint at a future move is anyone's guess, but, for now, all fans can do is wait in anticipation.
It also begs an additional question: where is Steve Yzerman? Is he the one handling trades, or has he truly taken a step back from his role as a whole? Was this a decision by Ilitch and the organization, or did Yzerman make this choice of his own accord?
Red Wings eyeing contending teams in their search
While there are plenty of general manager candidates available, it appears as if the firm the Red Wings hired have their minds set on one of the contending teams. St. James explicitly mentions teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers, two teams that have utilized advanced analytics to win Stanley Cups over the last three seasons.
St. James posited the Buffalo Sabres and Colorado Avalanche, two analytics-heavy front offices, as options, as well.
The Red Wings have utilized analytics throughout Yzerman's time in Detroit, but have never deployed them for decision-making purposes. St. James believes that, after 10 years of missing the playoffs and seven years of disappointment under Yzerman, Ilitch saw an opportunity for substantial change.
A more analytical focus would mean moving on from the "old boys club" of the hockey world. Rather than recycling the same front office figures, this would be a complete reset of expectations and priorities within the organization.
If things go according to plan, an analytical-minded GM would be more willing to take big swings on trades and offer sheets. After all, this is how contending teams like the Hurricanes, Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights have built out their rosters. For a risk-averse general manager like Yzerman, this seemed out of the question.
A new voice, though, could certainly shift the conversation.
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