The Detroit Red Wings spent much of the season in a playoff spot. Then, the club gradually slid, diving out of a playoff spot during yet another March slide.
The club’s playoff hopes are now hanging by a thread. It’s too bad, particularly since this season was supposed to be the year the Wings took that next step. While the team could still make the postseason, the chances are getting slimmer by the day.
The situation is getting so dire that a playoff miss could trigger a change in the GM seat. That’s the sentiment that commentator Nick Kypreos shared.
During a recent episode of the Kyper & Bourne Show, Kypreos discussed the Red Wings’ situation with insider Elliotte Friedman. The two noted that a change might be coming, with Friedman asking:
“Do you think there’s any chance that [Yzerman] would kick himself upstairs and let Kris Draper or Shawn Horcoff be the GM?”
The question alluded to one of the Red Wings’ two assistant GMs potentially taking over for current GM Steve Yzerman. Yzerman, meanwhile, would retreat to the President of Hockey Operations role, leaving the day-to-day management duties to one of the two assistants.
That possibility prompted Kypreos to reply:
“When you feel the pressure of a fanbase…Yes, I do think everything’s on the table.”
That’s precisely the reality the Red Wings are facing. A playoff miss could be catastrophic to the team’s fan base after a solid start to the season. The March slide has raised significant concerns about the team, seemingly placing the blame on the GM.
Whether a change happens or not remains unclear. However, a disappointing end to the season will lead to scrutiny from fans and the media.
Red Wings May Join Other Clubs Searching for New GM
The Red Wings could join two other clubs currently searching for a new GM. The Nashville Predators and the Toronto Maple Leafs are the two teams currently looking for a candidate to take over GM duties.
If the Red Wings choose to name a successor for Yzerman, they might join a crowded field looking to fill such an important vacancy. While there is no shortage of candidates, the field could get a little crowded.
But then again, the Red Wings may not need to find any external help.
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Detroit Has Two Solid Internal Candidates
The thought process is that the Red Wings have two solid internal candidates. Former NHLers Kris Draper and Shawn Horcoff currently serve under Yzerman. In particular, Horcoff serves a dual role, as he is also the GM of the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.
That situation may give Horcoff a bit of an inside track for the GM role. However, Draper, who is also the Director of Amateur Scouting, is no slouch. He’s been a lifelong Red Wings player and executive. He knows the organization as well as anyone and could be a fantastic option for the club.
All told, the Red Wings might not have to go very far to find their next GM, should the organization choose to head in that direction this offseason.
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