Red Wings Blueprint for an Ideal Post-Yzerman Front Office – The Hockey Writers – Detroit Red Wings

It’s been three weeks since the Detroit Red Wings announced that Steve Yzerman was stepping down as general manager and moving into an advisory role. Since then, the team has conducted interviews with a variety of candidates, but has yet to select someone to oversee the hockey operations department. 

Whoever ultimately gets the job will inherit an organization at a pivotal point in its competitive cycle. Detroit has assembled a promising young core, rebuilt its prospect pipeline, and is poised to benefit from a rising salary cap over the coming years. The next challenge is turning that foundation into a perennial playoff contender. 

In the interim, I’ve put together what I consider to be an ideal front office setup for the Red Wings. Let’s dive in.

President of Hockey Operations: Brendan Shanahan

I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out: Brendan Shanahan offers the ideal blend of executive experience, organizational familiarity, and league-wide credibility. During his 11-year tenure leading the Toronto Maple Leafs, Shanahan oversaw every aspect of hockey operations, guiding a full-scale rebuild, hiring key executives, and helping transform the franchise into a consistent playoff contender. Yes, Toronto fell short of its ultimate goal, but the lessons learned from managing one of the NHL’s most scrutinized organizations could make him an even more effective executive in Detroit.

Shanahan also brings an extensive network of relationships with owners, general managers, agents, and league executives built over decades as both a player and executive. His experience communicating with Maple Leafs ownership and setting long-term organizational strategy would make him a valuable liaison between Chris Ilitch and the team.

Just as importantly, Shanahan has embraced modern management practices, supporting the use of analytics, sports science, and data-driven decision-making throughout his tenure in Toronto. Combined with his understanding of the Red Wings’ culture, he could provide experienced leadership while simultaneously reducing the risk in hiring a first-time general manager, which leads me to…

General Manager: Darren Yorke

A top candidate for the job, Darren Yorke has spent the last several years helping build one of the NHL’s most respected organizations in Carolina, where collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making are embedded throughout hockey operations.

The Hurricanes have earned a reputation as one of the league’s smartest organizations. They consistently identify undervalued talent, maximize every dollar under the salary cap, and encourage collaboration between scouting, analytics, player development, and the coaching staff. Yorke has been part of that environment throughout its rise, giving him valuable firsthand experience in how successful modern front offices operate.

“I’ve been very fortunate to work alongside multiple different general managers to gain a lot of different perspectives,” Yorke noted in 2024 when asked what would make him a strong GM candidate. (from ‘Hurricanes’ Darren Yorke on being a GM candidate, and how the team is managing the offseason’ – The Athletic – 5/30/24) “I think I’ve been very fortunate to wear a lot of different hats in the organization, which allows me to see a lot of different viewpoints to ultimately get a decision.”

That broad experience—combined with several years of managing the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate—highlights the value Yorke could bring to Detroit.

If the Red Wings want someone who makes data-driven decisions, is a progressive thinker, and has championship-caliber experience, then Yorke is the ideal hire. He’s certainly capable of modernizing Detroit’s front office and maximizing the organization’s considerable young talent.

Final Word

With a front office led by Shanahan and Yorke, it’s fair to expect meaningful change. Hiring a chief professional scout and bolstering the analytics department would likely be among the organization’s first priorities.

There will almost certainly be some turnover as well. New regimes typically prefer to surround themselves with people they know and trust. That said, I would expect Nicklas Lidstrom, Niklas Kronwall, Dan Cleary, Jiri Fischer, and Kris Draper to remain in place. Each provides value within the organization and should continue to play an important role moving forward.

More broadly, this structure would provide Detroit with something it has arguably lacked in recent years: a balance between experienced executive leadership and fresh ideas. Shanahan would offer stability, strategic oversight, and organizational accountability, while Yorke would bring a collaborative, progressive approach to roster building and player development. Together, they would position the Red Wings to capitalize on the strong foundation already in place, while preparing the franchise for its next competitive window.

In addition to staffing decisions, Shanahan and Yorke will need to re-sign Simon Edvinsson, find a resolution regarding the Dylan Larkin trade request, and finalize the roster – all within roughly six weeks. Talk about hitting the ground running.