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.