NHL Rumor Mill – July 16, 2026
How does Steve Yzerman’s stepping away as general manager affect the Red Wings? What’s the latest on Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
FALLOUT FROM YZERMAN STEPPING ASIDE AS RED WINGS GM
MLIVE.COM: Ansar Kahn reports the Red Wings face several unanswered questions following the club’s announcement that Steve Yzerman was stepping away as their general manager. He will become a special advisor to team owner Chris Illich.
The biggest question is whether it will affect team captain Dylan Larkin’s trade request. It was reported in early June that the 29-year-old center asked to be moved soon after the end of the regular season in April.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).
On June 9, Larkin submitted a three-time list of trade destinations (Minnesota, Vegas, and Florida). A month later, he added Dallas to his list.
Khan believes Larkin’s request may have triggered the timing of Yzerman’s removal. He thinks that the club’s ownership would rather retain its first-line center than a GM who has underperformed during his seven-year tenure in the role.
Another question is whether this news will lead Larkin to change his mind about a trade. If it does, it means the request was due to problems with Yzerman. Otherwise, it will mean that he’s lost all hope of the Red Wings becoming a contender regardless of who’s in charge.
Khan also wondered whether assistant GM Shawn Horcoff or Kris Draper would replace Yzerman, or whether the organization would look elsewhere. He thinks the new GM would be reluctant to fire head coach Todd McLellan because few suitable alternatives are currently available.
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith felt that Yzerman’s departure adds a new wrinkle to the Minnesota Wild’s pursuit of Dylan Larkin.
At a minimum, there will be a further delay for the Wild as the Red Wings conduct their search for a new general manager. However, it could kill off any momentum they had toward acquiring Larkin as Yzerman’s replacement takes some time to meet with the Wings captain and assess the situation.
The new Wings GM must determine whether to maintain a win-now mentality to end a decade-long rebuild or retool by acquiring future assets instead of established players.
It will become a headache for the Wild if Larkin changes his mind. There are no suitable “Plan B” options to fill their first-line center position in the trade or free-agent markets. They passed on an opportunity to pursue Vincent Trocheck in favor of going after Larkin.
Max Bultman also wonders what effect the change in management will have on the Red Wings.
He pointed out that they have a clear foundation with defensemen Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson and winger Lucas Raymond. They also have a deep prospect pool, young players, and some serious tradeable assets, led by Larkin. The option of resetting around a younger core could be enticing to a new GM.
Bultman also pointed out that Alex DeBrincat’s future is another major decision facing Yzerman’s replacement. The 28-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: So far, there’s been no indication that Larkin could rescind his request. He could be waiting to find out who replaces Yzerman before making that decision.
If Larkin changes his mind, it will be a significant relief for the Wings, who were facing the prospect of entering this season without their captain and first-line center.
Trading away Larkin would be a significant setback to the Wings’ hopes of ending their decade-long playoff drought. While the argument can be made that they weren’t able to qualify with him, they’d stand even less of a chance without him.
Should Larkin maintain his request, it could work to the Wild’s favor. Yzerman wanted roster players (especially a center) in return rather than draft picks and prospects. If the Wings opt to go in a different direction under a new GM, the Wild might be able to land without giving up a significant roster player in return.
For now, all we’ve got is speculation about what Yzerman’s replacement could have in store for the Red Wings, especially for Larkin. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long to find out.
UPDATE ON MORGAN RIELLY
TORONTO STAR: Dave Feschuk noted the trade chatter surrounding Morgan Rielly has been loud. The 32-year-old Maple Leafs defenseman struggled over the past two seasons, and a trade might be the best option for both sides.
Shedding his $7.5 million cap hit through 2028-29 would help the Maple Leafs create more flexibility for other roster moves. They’ve also already done some renovations to their blueline, bringing in Darren Raddysh and Emil Andrae while trading away Brandon Carlo.
Rielly has reportedly provided the Maple Leafs with a four-team, Western-leaning list of trade destinations. However, Feschuk feels that if there were a trade to be had, it would’ve happened by now. It could lead to an uneasy offseason for Rielly that bleeds over into training camp in September.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s a long offseason, and trades can still happen. Rielly could also be moved during training camp or preseason should injuries arise that force a rival club into the trade market. Still, Feschuk isn’t wrong about how this could turn into an awkward situation if he’s not moved before the start of the regular season.
Rielly was reportedly under consideration as a trade target by the San Jose Sharks, but they ultimately went with Darnell Nurse from Edmonton.
The Sharks may have been the Leafs’ best chance to unload Rielly and his full cap hit. Any other opportunities might have to involve retaining some salary, depending on which clubs might be interested and how much cap space they have left.
As far as the Wings are concerned, let’s not overlook that what ownership wants is important. They’ve missed the playoffs ten years in a row, have gone through a failed rebuild and they might not want to take a step back. I think they will and should look outside the organization for a GM who might look to reset somewhat but not rebuild. Sort of like the Leafs.
I think Larkin will want to see who the new GM will be. If it’s someone from outside the organization I think he’ll want to give him a chance.
I’m thinking. Draper will get serious look. I would also look to speak with Shanahan if I was wings
The Wings need to stop living in the past and move on from former team stars. Like Shanahan did such a great job in Toronto?
Look how it worked out for Edmonton when they hired alumni to run the team.
Pick the GM based on his qualifications managing, not how they performed on the ice.
I thought Verbeek would have been fired before Yzerman.
For me, I’d want Larkin gone. The fans and most likely the boys in the room see him as a quitter. Not sure those attitudes will be able to be overcome, but I may be wrong.
11 years a Wing is a quitter??????
More like a masochist…😉 Kidding! Just kidding!
Johnny Z, yes, he’s a quitter. He signed an 8-year contract; Bertuzzi was a pending FA who Boston was willing to pay for to not help them – a no-brainer of a trade. That made Dylan angry because Tyler was his friend, so he literally cried to the media.
A year later, the Wings collapsed in March and only missed the playoffs on a tie-breaker. The next fall they were terrible, prompting a coaching change. McLellan came in and the team improved, but the March collapse came again. Dylan complained that management didn’t reward the players with deadline deals (as though that’s the purpose of these things).
They took off the next fall and were in first place in the conference in January. Dylan won gold and (deservedly, I say) partied with his friends. Then the same lackluster effort came in March, prompting another collapse. Dylan’s reaction was to request a trade and limit possible partners to 3 ready-made Cup teams that happen to have his Milan buddies on their rosters.
The theme? He views the Wings (and the NHL) as existing to serve as a place he can play hockey with his buddies and where teams exist to reward mediocre play with more of his buddies. He didn’t respond to an annual collapse by saying he, as a leader, could have done more. He didn’t accept any responsibility for the team just being a bunch of jerseys or suggest that he could change that. He blamed big bad Steve Yzerman for not trading for people who would take that responsibility and make that change.
They can’t get that guy out of town fast enough. And good luck to whichever team gets him. Hopefully they have some character guys to do what he feels is beneath him.
Rusty Skates, great rant.
Sound like a true fan who has played and gets it.
Stick tap.
We have seen this before…the Shanaplan; now the Yzerplan both failed operations and now the new cliché is the reset of the retool of the rebuild. Wow what a long process…poor fans
Re: Rielly, huh, haven’t heard much chatter since Hiller’s hire but Feschuck is one to rely on…but in any case, on one hand you have a GM and head coach saying they want him and be happy to have him, on the other hand you have people not affiliated to the team saying it’s awkward if they can’t/don’t trade him before the season starts. Having the team management saying what they did wouldn’t make things awkward for Rielly at all. He’s already acknowledged it’s a business, etc.
I can see why a trade or no trade (more likely not, see above) would be great for scribes of this sport with no news August around the corner. As for Morgan, I hope where ever he plays next season, he has a great year.
Things would have worked out better in Detroit If they had any lottery luck.
It’s all about timing and favorable bounces of the balls.
Some years there are McDavids and Celebrini’s……other years you get Yakapov and Bob Ryan.
Yzerman worked with what he had from the draft perspective……and he had some misses with FA signings.
C’est la vie?
Some teams have great luck. Miss playoffs once, get the 1st overall. San Jose had 3 top 2 and a top 4 I think.
Agree 100 on that one SOP. Luck plays a role for sure.
The only way to improve the odds of getting a high end guy near the top is to really suck for more than just a year. Need multiple picks in the top 3.
Also agree, can’t change the past, so now what?
Personally, I do what BUF did when they lost Eichel, keep on keeping on, drafting and trading for quality young guys, you will get some hits and get it turned around.
There have a pile of young talented guys coming and already there. They built the D first, kinda like Detroit has & can.
Wait on Larkin to increase his list, play or let him sit. I get you want out but picking only teams that don’t have what DET needs is kinda BS IMO as it isn’t based in reality.
Trade one or more of DeBrincat, Faulk & Copp at the TDL if they aren’t in a playoff spot again. Or right now if a trade for Larkin develops that makes sense and more towards the future.
Build around the younger core of Seider, Raymond etc.
Yep. Just hafta trust the process, Ray.
Teams need to be prepared for bad draft years (talent wise) and seeding based on some lucky ball bounces
Imagine how different the league would look if Burkie and Anaheim won the Crosby pick.
Not a Leafs fan but did Reilly really struggle? Is this totally based on point totals? Always thought he was a good skater with nice size to boot. GM’s still value size. Reilly for 3 years at 7.5m isn’t a bad deal. I’d say he has more value than many think. Trouba the same age. Not as good a skater. Just got an 8.25m aav deal for 4 years. If a team can get Toronto to retain some, would be a bonus.
Reilly doesn’t suck Slick62, but didn’t have a great year. Critics point to his sometimes poor defensive play combined with not high end point totals. And their PP was only average last year.
But ya, he’s a good player, and if you don’t replace him you now have a 20 plus minute hole on your blue line. Plus Tanev is coming off another injury at 36.
Sharks seem to prefer Nurse at a higher ticket, and I do to. Or maybe it was based on the return Leafs wanted. I dunno.
But like Nurse, I think GM’s value Reilly more than some in the fan base.
I wonder if Larkin and Mcavoy are boys so try this one on for size, Boston trades Minten,Hagens and Lohrei for Larkin. Tough to trade those young players but if you want to surround Pasta,, Swayman and Mcavoy with another option there for those guys Larkin is the guy.
Maybe Minten or Hagens, Lohrei and a 1st for Larks.
Gotta hang on to at least 1 of those guys.
Agree with that. Can sub. Zeller and potrias instead of 1st if they prefer
Nope, that’s too much “future” for Larkin. Maybe Zacha, Lohrei, and a second rounder or late first rounder. I like Zacha, he is a good center, and if that offer isn’t enough for Larkin then I don’t think we should pursue.
Sr. That is overpay. Maybe replace Hagens with Potrius. And pull trigger
It’s addition by subtraction for Detroit while getting 3 young impactful players.
I’d pull the trigger on that and karma would have Detroit in the playoffs with Larkin missing yet again.
Separate note, Elias Lindholm, what sweetener would you add to get rid of him.
Thats ridiculous, hasfan30 and I’m pretty sure you know it.
Terrible trade from Bostons perspective.
Way too much for the character coming back.
Also, Lindholm doesn’t need to go anywhere.
He just needs a healthy back.
He should hit a responsible 60+ points this year, if healthy.
Ya, I don’t do all 3 of those for Larkin either. He picks his spot, wait it out and see who blinks first. Wings or Larkin.
High demand for C’s, but Lindholm doesn’t have a lot of value when his contract & age is considered. And a bad back would be concerning for GM’s IMO.
Tough question, but IMO return would be low but no sweetener required. Lower end 2 C when healthy or high end 3C. What is that worth on a long term deal at $7.75?
Wouldn’t even hazard a guess.
Habfan. Based on your theory. Suzuki wants out. And you be ok take 3 youngsters as trade.
Doubt it
The idea being that Boston has been searching since Bergeron retired is a first line center. You can t get them and all the centers in the Boston system and not one is a 1st line center.Elias Lindholm is untradeable so they are stuck with him as a probable third line center. Plus you give Pasta a legitimate first line center to play with.
lol why are you guys all over me, all I said is I would pull the trigger on the offer made by your fellow Bruins fan Sr.
Sr comes up with suggestions that take into account both sides of a trade and realistically looks to improve, willing to give something to get in return.
He’s one of the few Bruin fans here that judges “his” team honestly. I’d include RB and 2422 in that.
I ask about Lindholm out of curiosity, RB obviously understood the “why” behind the question.
The reason we are all over you HF30 is because you asked a Bruin question instead of us rehashing the same topics again about some other team.
Kinda like the first Friday after Dry January. The first cold beer lasts about 2 minutes.
Larkin can’t stay in Detroit. I don’t think fans will welcome him back. He’s always been criticized for being a weak leader & somewhat self centered as a player. Joining the parade of spoiled Team USA players abandoning their team solidified that belief. He’ll be blamed for ending Yzerman’s tenure by the fans who supported Yzerman, and the people who supported Larkin will have sky high expectations he can’t meet, and he will ultimately be blamed for the departures of Kane and DeBrincat. If he stays he will be booed out of town by the end of the season.
Personally, as a Wings fan, I don’t want him to come back. I know he’s a good player, but he’s not a good team player, and he never really has been. Yzerman should have traded him with Bertuzzi and Mantha. They need to move him for picks and prospects & extend the rebuild by 2-3 years. It’s not like they’re getting through Florida right now anyway.
The idea being that Boston has been searching since Bergeron retired is a first line center. You can t get them and all the centers in the Boston system and not one is a 1st line center.Elias Lindholm is untradeable so they are stuck with him as a probable third line center. Plus you give Pasta a legitimate first line center to play with.
Larkin is a 70pt center.
He’s not a 1C.
Hes a good 2C. Just like Zacha and Lindholm.
We don’t need him.
With you on that SOP.
I get he wants to win, fair enough, ask for a trade, but he gave MGT nothing to work with. Unreasonable request IMO.
That has changed my opinion of him.
Shoreorrpark, Zacha had a career year with 30 goals last year.. Previous to that his highest goal total was 18. Larkin had 35 goals last year. He would have been second only to Geekie. Elias Lindholm is a third line center at best now. Larkin is an upgrade over those two.
Larkin had over 30 goals 3 yrs in a row. He is the Wings best offensive player and a 1C on a losing team. I think he plays better on a winning team.
With perfetti and mcmichael signing, Philly overpaid for Zegras.
Ex-NHLer Keith Yandle shares Cutter Gauthier’s reported contract stance – “Not taking one dollar less than Carlsson”
On Spitten Chiclets
Which was duly noted on this site in the July 15 rumor mill…