Just when you thought the NHL news was slowing down and the league was entering vacation mode, the Detroit Red Wings woke up everyone from their offseason slumber. On Wednesday, the Red Wings announced that Steve Yzerman was stepping down as executive vice president and general manager and transitioning into an advisor's role. Red Wings CEO Chris Ilitch will begin his search for a new head of hockey operations, with Yzerman serving in his current role until a replacement is hired.
This truly was a stunner, considering Yzerman just completed the NHL Draft and free agency. But most importantly, he is the one who held all the cards in the Dylan Larkin trade saga. Earlier this offseason, Larkin requested a trade from the team after 11 seasons. Larkin held a full no-movement clause, but Yzerman had final say. So, there has been a lengthy standoff between the two sides, with no one budging much.
With this latest news, it looks like Larkin won the battle.
Dylan Larkin seemingly won the standoff with Steve Yzerman
One has to wonder if Larkin did have a role in Yzerman stepping down. Did Ilitch step up and push Yzerman out? We don't have any details besides the team's statement. But when looking at everything that transpired throughout the offseason, it looks like Larkin won the standoff.
Red Wings fans know what has caused this trade standoff between Larkin and Yzerman. At the time of the trade announcement, it was reported that Larkin had grown frustrated with the lack of playoff trips during his tenure. That, and he had a frosty relationship with Yzerman, from his contract extension negotiations in 2023, to publicly calling out the front office for lack of moves at the 2025 trade deadline.
Larkin had a full no-movement clause and reportedly told Yzerman he would only accept a trade to the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild. While all three teams are playoff and Stanley Cup contenders, they all didn't have many appealing assets for Yzerman. For the Panthers, they may have had the most before they acquired Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators. After talks between the three teams went nowhere, Yzerman requested Larkin expand the trade list. Larkin did so, but only by adding the Dallas Stars. Talks with Dallas went nowhere, like with the other three teams on Larkin's list.
After the NHL Draft, Yzerman said that while he acknowledged Larkin's trade request, he insisted that he didn't have to fulfill it. Meaning, he was more than willing to keep Larkin around and continue to keep the standoff going. Let's not forget that Larkin is still under contract for five more seasons. So, this had the chance to get really ugly between the player, general manager, and team.
We don't have any official details or reporting whether or not the Larkin saga did play a role in Yzerman's exit. But looking at how things transpired throughout the offseason, it was the biggest story across the league.
Now, we wait and see who the Red Wings hire as Yzerman's replacement. Once that happens, we'll see if the Red Wings can repair their relationship with Larkin now that Yzerman is out. It may take some convincing, especially with their 10 season playoff drought. But just when you thought things couldn't get more chaotic for the Red Wings this offseason, they now have to search for a new head of hockey operations.
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