The Detroit Red Wings have eight games to avoid disaster. After Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman traded a first-round pick and more for defenseman Justin Faulk, Detroit has collapsed. The team is one point out of the Stanley Cup playoffs and has no first-round picks. However, Yzerman’s job may also be in jeopardy.
If the Red Wings miss the playoffs, Yzerman’s job as Detroit’s general manager could be in trouble, as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports on the 32 Thoughts Podcast. The former Red Wings forward has been Detroit’s general manager since April 2019 after leaving the same position with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Red Wings have not made the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2016, and time is running out for the team to make it during the 2026 NHL season. After a terrible run of games in March, Detroit needs to move forward as an organization over the next two weeks, otherwise Yzerman may not be a general manager any time soon.
Possible replacements if Steve Yzerman leaves the Detroit Red Wings
If the Red Wings miss the Stanley Cup playoffs after being in good shape over the winter, patience with Yzerman may be at an end. Detroit may look in a different direction to give the team a better future. If so, who could replace Yzerman as general manager of the Red Wings?
Friedman suggested an alternative theory as to what Detroit could do with Yzerman. An NHL insider proposed the possibility of Yzerman becoming president of hockey operations while promoting Chris Draper or Shawn Horcoff as the new general manager.
Draper is the current Director of Amateur Scouting and Assistant General Manager of the Red Wings. The 50-year-old spent 17 years in Detroit as a player and has been with the organization since 2011. Horcoff is also Detroit’s assistant general manager; However, his appeal may be greater due to his other work.
The 47-year-old is the general manager of the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, who are breaking records left and right during the 2025-26 AHL season. It may not be very desirable to promote from within the organization, but Horcoff would be the best internal choice.
Detroit needs to make the Stanley Cup playoffs, as another collapse would be detrimental to the entire organization. Players are not living up to expectations and ultimately everyone is suffering the consequences. If things don’t change soon, Yzerman could be out as Red Wings general manager.
READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings almost got a different defenseman at the trade deadline
#Detroit #Red #Wings #Steve #Yzerman #hot #seat #team #misses #NHL #playoffs
