Steve Yzerman Out as Red Wings General Manger

by | Jul 15, 2026

Steve Yzerman Out as Red Wings General Manger

The Detroit Red Wings announced that Steve Yzerman is moving out of his role as general manager to become a senior advisor to team governor and CEO Chris Illich.

According to the press release, Illich is leading the search for a new general manager.

Yzerman had been the Red Wings’ GM since 2019. During that tenure, the club failed to make the playoffs, a drought that has now lasted a decade.

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman (NHL.com).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This might look like a promotion for Yzerman, but it isn’t. The only reason he’s staying with the organization is his legendary status as one of the greatest players in franchise history.

As a player, Yzerman became a Red Wings legend, the captain who led them to three Stanley Cup championships. However, he was unable to replicate that success as their general manager.

When Yzerman took over as the Wings’ GM, he was coming off a successful tenure building up the Tampa Bay Lightning into a Stanley Cup contender. He had drafted cornerstone players such as Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy, as well as centers Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli, all of whom remain with the Lightning today. He was named General Manager of the Year in 2015.

It was expected that Yzerman would have the same front-office success when he returned to the Red Wings in 2019.

For a while, it appeared the Red Wings were heading in the right direction. He drafted defensemen Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson and winger Lucas Raymond, traded for Alex DeBrincat, and signed free agent Patrick Kane. In recent years, their prospect pipeline has been considered among the league’s best.

The Red Wings’ record gradually improved. In each of the last three seasons, they were holding playoff berths entering March, only to collapse down the stretch. A lack of reliable goaltending, blueline depth, and scoring punch remained issues that Yzerman struggled to address.

However, Wings fans were growing impatient over the club’s inability to get over the playoff hump. They booed the club off the ice during their final home game last season.

Team captain Dylan Larkin publicly criticized Yzerman’s inability to acquire help during the March 2025 trade deadline. Last month, it was reported that he requested a trade, which has been fodder for the rumor mill ever since.

The ongoing Larkin situation may have been the last straw for Illich. Whatever prompted this move, the fact remains that Yzerman’s tenure as general manager will be considered a failure.

He leaves the role with a team captain wanting a trade, a roster riddled with questions, and a fan base that has lost faith in the club’s direction.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 15, 2026

by | Jul 15, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 15, 2026

Check out the latest on Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier, Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DOES CUTTER GAUTHIER WANT THE SAME DEAL AS LEO CARLSSON?

DAILY FACEOFF: cited a recent episode of the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, in which Keith Yandle said he was “fed a little tidbit” that Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier “will not be taking one dollar less” than what teammate Leo Carlsson received on his new contract.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (NHL Images).

Carlsson, 21, signed a five-year, $90 million offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers on July 3, which the Ducks matched six days later. The average annual value is a league-leading $18 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jimmy Murphy of The Sick Podcast said there was no truth to this report, adding that there has been no confirmed ask from Gauthier.

Gauthier’s asking price will likely exceed $10 million annually now that Carlsson’s new AAV has become the league benchmark. However, first-line centers are usually more valuable than wingers, which is why the Ducks had to match that offer sheet for Carlsson.

The Gauthier camp could be waiting to see what Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson receives on his next contract. The 26-year-old winger filed for salary arbitration on July 5. He’s reportedly seeking an AAV of $14 million, while the Stars countered with $12 million.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN

THE ATHLETIC: Joe Smith reports Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin remains in play, but things are currently quiet.

Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman remains patient in his search for the right return. Smith wouldn’t be surprised if Larkin is still with the Red Wings when training camp opens in September, though the situation could become uncomfortable in Detroit if it comes to that.

The Wild have made their offer to the Red Wings, who are seeking roster players rather than futures. Regarding Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos’ report that the Red Wings want Matt Boldy in return for Larkin, Smith doesn’t see a scenario in which the Wild move on from Boldy.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Smith believes the Wild will wait if they can’t trade for Larkin. Other options could become available over the course of the summer or during training camp.

UPDATE ON ZEGRAS AND DRYSDALE

NHL.COM’s Bill Meltzer cited two team sources claiming the Flyers expect new contracts for forward Trevor Zegras and defenseman Jamie Drysdale to be hammered out before their scheduled arbitration hearings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Players usually file for arbitration to set a deadline for signing their new contracts, rather than having them drag on throughout the summer. Few end up needing arbitration to settle things.

Drysdale’s hearing is scheduled for July 20, and Zegras’ is July 22.

TEAMS ARE SHOWING INTEREST IN ARBER XHEKAJ

TVA SPORTS: cited Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, claiming more than one team has contacted the Montreal Canadiens about Arber Xhekaj.

The 25-year-old Canadiens defenseman is a restricted free agent this summer. He’s completed a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.3 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Xhekaj sees third-pairing minutes while also serving as the Canadiens’ enforcer. His physical style has made him popular among his teammates and a fan favorite in Montreal. Nevertheless, some Montreal pundits believe he could be traded to make room for one of their up-and-coming blueliners.

The Canadiens could wait and see how things shake out in training camp and the preseason before deciding whether to move Xhekaj.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 15, 2026

by | Jul 15, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 15, 2026

Check out the latest on Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, Senators forward Claude Giroux, Flames defenseman Simon Nemec, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka reports San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini is the cover athlete for EA Sports’ NHL 27 video game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Notable stars who’ve graced the cover of previous EA Sports NHL games include Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers (NHL 18), Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL 20, NHL 22), Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals (NHL 21), and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche (NHL 24).

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (NHL Images).

Celebrini is in the final season of his entry-level contract and is eligible to sign a contract extension. His next deal will most likely make him one of the NHL’s highest-paid players, but he told ESPN that he’s not necessarily going to seek every available dollar.

“Obviously, guys want to get paid – as they should, because you’ve got to make a living,” Celebrini said. “There are guys that deserve those numbers that are getting them, but of course, you want to put your team in the best possible spot, where you give a team the ability to make moves necessary to win. I think all that goes into the decision.”

Celebrini also said that there’s no rush to get a deal done because he has a year left on his contract. “I think it’s just whenever it makes sense for both sides.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The maximum average annual value for 2027-28 (the first season of Celebrini’s next contract) is $22.7 million. He could become the league’s first $20 million man after Leo Carlsson got $18 million on a five-year deal from the Anaheim Ducks after they matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet last week.

However, it sounds like Celebrini’s open to leaving a little money on the table to give the Sharks some salary-cap flexibility to bolster the club’s overall depth. He could seek an AAV between $18.5 million and $19.5 million on a four- or five-year contract, enabling him to sign a more lucrative deal when he enters the prime of his career.

TSN: Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell continued to downplay the trade rumors that swirled around superstar defenseman Zach Werenski last month.

Waddell claimed the media reports regarding his talks with the Werenski camp were different than what was actually discussed. He pointed out that the two sides cannot discuss a contract extension until next summer, but that was mistaken as the Blue Jackets wanting to trade him and him wanting to be traded.

“It was always discussed that, if there was something that made some sense, I would bring it to him,” Waddell said, referring to a trade offer.

Waddell said it was well known that the Blue Jackets were talking with the Dallas Stars about a trade when he called Werenski’s agent. “Within an hour, I got a call back saying that Zach doesn’t want to go anywhere and he wants to be a Blue Jacket.”

According to Waddell, he subsequently had “a great meeting” with Werenski, who said he’s been with the Blue Jackets for 10 years, wants to get the team back into the playoffs, and is fully committed to the team.

“What the future holds, we’ll figure that out when the time comes,” Waddell said. “But for now, he’s very excited about staying here and taking the team where we need to get back to: the playoffs.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The media wouldn’t have gotten involved if somebody from the Blue Jackets management or the Werenski side hadn’t spoken to them about the situation. The same goes for the trade talks with the Stars. These stories don’t get reported without a reliable source from one side or the other leaking it to a pundit.

Since those stories broke, Waddell and Werenski issued statements claiming the situation was blown out of proportion by the media, stressing the blueliner’s desire to stay in Columbus and help the Blue Jackets win.

I’m not questioning Waddell’s version of events or Werenski’s sincerity about staying in Columbus. However, questions about his future with the Blue Jackets will resurface next June, leading up to his eligibility to sign a contract extension starting on July 1, 2027.

OTTAWA SUN: Claude Giroux said his return to the Senators for another season was a family decision. The 38-year-old forward recently signed a one-year, $2 million contract.

“We just had to talk it over and make sure that we were doing the right thing here,” Giroux said. “When you’ve got three boys, it’s not just about me anymore.”

CALGARY SUN: Kent Wilson believes Simon Nemec’s contract is one of the biggest gambles by Craig Conroy as the Flames’ general manager.

Conroy acquired the promising but inconsistent Nemec from the New Jersey Devils last month, giving up two conditional first-round picks as part of the deal. He subsequently signed the 22-year-old defenseman to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $7.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Conroy is betting on Nemec blossoming into the top-pairing, puck-moving blueliner he was projected to become when the Devils chose him second overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.

The Nemec trade could become Conroy’s best move if the young rearguard develops as hoped. It could also cost him his job if Nemec fails to pan out.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins avoided salary arbitration with Nick Robertson, signing the 24-year-old winger to a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.25 million.

The Penguins also hired Brandon Pridham as a hockey operations consultant. Pridham spent 12 seasons as an assistant general manager with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’s reuniting with Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas, who was GM of the Leafs for most of Pridham’s tenure in Toronto.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins hired former Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams as a Senior Advisor to Bruins GM Don Sweeney.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The New York Islanders’ third-jersey competition for 2027-28 surpassed 65,000 entries from creative fans.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 14, 2026

by | Jul 14, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 14, 2026

Are the Canucks getting any closer to trading center Elias Pettersson? Are they interested in Kraken center Shane Wright? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ELIAS PETTERSSON SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance was asked if the Vancouver Canucks will give center Elias Pettersson the chance this season to regain some semblance of his previously high-scoring form to increase his trade value.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

Drance believes the Canucks’ preference is to trade the 27-year-old Pettersson if the opportunity presents itself. However, it’s a complicated move to pull off because of his declining production and expensive long-term contract.

TSN: Travis Yost believes the question that teams should ponder if they’re interested in Pettersson is whether he’s an intriguing buy-low trade candidate or one that screams, “buyer beware!”

Yost dives into the analytics to lay out how Pettersson’s performance has dropped over the past two years, particularly how his skating has changed since his productive seasons. He also pointed out how much the quality of talent around Pettersson has declined.

Ultimately, Yost believes Pettersson’s days are numbered in Vancouver. If his play improves this season, he could garner more attention in the trade market, noting that the rising salary cap would make his contract go from toxic to intriguing.

OILERS NOW WITH BOB STAUFFER: CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal was asked about trade speculation linking Pettersson to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Dhaliwal believes the Penguins “have some level of interest” in Pettersson. He noted there’s a rumor claiming the Canucks want center Ben Kindel in return. However, Dhaliwal rejected that idea, saying the Penguins aren’t giving up a promising young player such as Kindel for a bad contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A strong bounce-back performance this season will definitely enhance Pettersson’s value in the trade market. Teams will likely still prefer the Canucks retain salary to facilitate a trade, but with the cap rising in 2027-28 to $113.5 million, his contract could become more palatable for some clubs willing to take the risk.

Dhaliwal doesn’t believe a Pettersson trade to the Penguins (or anyone else) is close to happening. He said Pettersson has not been approached by the Canucks about waiving his no-trade clause.

THE CANUCKS ARE INTERESTED IN SHANE WRIGHT

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports the Canucks are the preferred destination for Shane Wright. The Seattle Kraken are reportedly shopping the 22-year-old center.

According to Kuzma, the Canucks are intriguing to Wright because of what the club could become in a few years. He has a year remaining on his entry-level deal, which gives him incentive to produce and contribute to the Canucks’ rebuild, and if he does, they can lock him up.

OILERS NOW WITH BOB STAUFFER: Rick Dhaliwal recently said the Canucks were interested in Wright. However, he indicated that the Kraken’s asking price was high. Dhaliwal believes they want players like Zeev Buium or Tom Willander in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken aren’t under pressure to move Wright. They’ve indicated they want what they consider a fair return and won’t be forced into making a move they don’t like.

Speaking of the Canucks, Dhaliwal also indicated that the Anaheim Ducks called them about taking forward Frank Vatrano off their hands. He believes the Ducks must include some sweeteners in the deal to “get rid of guys like Frank Vatrano.”










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 14, 2026

by | Jul 14, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 14, 2026

The latest notable contract signings, the Sabres hire John Davidson, an update on Flyers winger Matvei Michkov, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres avoided salary arbitration with Peyton Krebs, signing the 25-year-old forward to a four-year, $18 million contract with an average annual value of $4.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Krebs had a career-best 39 points in 82 games last season. He was coming off a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.45 million, so he’s getting a substantial pay raise.

It’ll be interesting to see where Krebs plays this season. He spent time on the fourth line, but as the report noted, he spent the second half of last season on the first line alongside Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch, who was traded to the Washington Capitals last month.

Speaking of the Sabres, they hired John Davidson as a senior advisor.

Davidson, 73, previously worked with Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen during their tenures with the Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not surprising that Kekalainen is reuniting with Davidson. In addition to their previous work experience together, Davidson has nearly 20 years of front-office experience with the Blues, Blue Jackets, and New York Rangers.

NEW YORK POST: The Rangers avoided salary arbitration with Braden Schneider, signing the 24-year-old defenseman to a one-year, $5.5 million contract.

New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schneider completed a two-year contract worth an AAV of $2.2 million. This new deal means he’ll be eligible for RFA status with arbitration rights again next July.

The report indicated this new contract doesn’t provide any clarity regarding Schneider’s long-term future with the Rangers. He’s been the frequent subject of trade speculation since last summer, but he’s also indicated that he’d love to remain with the Blueshirts.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov is expected to return to Philadelphia in early August to continue his offseason training. Michkov, 21, is currently training in his home country of Russia.

The 2026-27 season will be a significant one for Michkov, who struggled through his sophomore season amid criticism of his training last summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Michkov acknowledged that he wasn’t in proper shape for training camp last fall. Having undergone a full season under head coach Rich Tocchet in 2025-26, it’s expected the promising young winger will be better prepared for his third NHL campaign with the Flyers.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: The Jets signed prospect forward Viggo Bjorck to a three-year entry-level contract. Bjorck, 18, was chosen eighth overall by the Jets in this year’s NHL Draft.

THE DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche signed Fabian Lysell to a one-year, two-way contract worth an AAV of $850,000 at the NHL level.

Lysell, 23, was acquired from the Boston Bruins in exchange for winger Ivan Ivan during the NHL Draft last month.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lysell was once considered to be one of the Bruins’ top prospects, but he struggled to crack their roster, playing 12 games last season.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former New York Islanders forward Josh Bailey was inducted into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame.

Bailey spent his entire NHL career with the Islanders from 2008-09 to 2022-23, becoming the third player in franchise history to play 1,000 games (1,057).

DAILY FACEOFF: Defenseman Jordan Oesterle has announced his retirement after 12 NHL seasons. From 2014-15 to 2025-26, Oesterle played with the Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, and Calgary Flames. He finishes with 96 points in 409 regular-season games.

RDS: The NHL and NHLPA have invested $4 million to establish a support program for former NHL players and their families to receive care following their playing careers.

NHL alumni members Paul Coffey and Glenn Healy brought up the recent tragedy of former NHL star Claude Lemieux, who died by suicide on May 28 at age 60.

“People have problems. They need somewhere to go for help. Look at what happened to Claude Lemieux,” Coffey said. Healy claimed that Lemieux’s passing “shook us all tremendously,” adding that the Alumni will do everything it can to make a difference for former players who are struggling.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens promoted Daniel Jacob as the new head coach of their AHL affiliate in Laval. He spent the past two seasons as the club’s assistant coach in charge of defensemen and penalty-killing units.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 13, 2026

by | Jul 13, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 13, 2026

Will the Jets trade Connor Hellebuyck this summer, and could they go shopping for second-line depth? What’s the latest on the Predators? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST JETS SPECULATION

MIKE MCINTYRE ON SPORTS: Winnipeg Free Press columnist Mike McIntyre firmly believes Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will be traded this summer, putting the odds “somewhere north of 95 per cent.”

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

McIntyre isn’t sure when the deal will go down or where Hellebuyck will be traded, but he believes the Buffalo Sabres are the most logical landing spot for the 33-year-old netminder. He also suggested the San Jose Sharks as a suitable destination, with the Carolina Hurricanes a distant third.

Hellebuyck has five years left on his contract. That means Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff can afford to be patient in waiting for the right deal for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner.

One reason McIntyre is certain Hellebuyck will be moved is that the Jets didn’t re-sign backup goalie Eric Comrie, instead signing former Edmonton Oilers starter Stuart Skinner to a two-year contract as a free agent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed the Jets and Sabres had a deal in place involving Hellebuyck, but it fell through before the opening round of last month’s NHL Draft weekend. Some observers claim he’s still willing to waive his no-movement clause to go to Buffalo, but working out the return remains the sticking point.

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was rumored to be part of the return in that June trade scenario, but he has a five-team no-trade list, and the Jets may have been on it.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Massimo De Luca-Taronno doesn’t share McIntyre’s certainty that Hellebuyck will be traded. He felt that it was “increasingly likely” that the Jets’ franchise goalie would report to training camp this fall. He believes if a truly tempting trade offer were out there, Cheveldayoff would’ve pulled the trigger by now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s a long summer, and deals involving big-name players can happen when we least expect it. For example, Erik Karlsson was traded from the San Jose Sharks to the Pittsburgh Penguins in August 2023.

Nevertheless, the longer the summer goes without any sign of a Hellebuyck trade, the less likely it’ll happen before the start of the regular season.

De Luca-Taronno felt the Jets must bolster their second-line forward depth. He suggested Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn, New Jersey Devils forward Dawson Mercer, Vegas Golden Knights’ forward Brett Howden, and Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright as trade candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Quinn was believed to be part of last month’s failed Hellebuyck trade to Buffalo. He could be part of the Jets’ asking price if the two clubs revisit that deal.

Howden’s performance last season makes it unlikely that the Golden Knights will part with him right now. Mercer frequently surfaced in trade rumors over the last two years, but new Devils GM Sunny Mehta could be reluctant to part with him. Wright is available, but the Kraken want a good young player in return.

UPDATE ON THE PREDATORS

THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty recently listed the players most likely to be moved by the Nashville Predators following their recent additions of forward Mavrik Bourque, defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, and winger Alex Kerfoot.

The moves leave the Predators with 26 active players under contract, meaning three must be dealt to get down to the maximum of 23.

Daugherty doubted that Lyubushkin would play a game for the Predators. Acquiring him was a key part of the trade that brought Bourque to Nashville. He could be peddled to a club in need of blueline depth during training camp.

It may be time to find Jonathan Marchessault a new home. The 35-year-old winger’s production has declined since signing with the Predators two years ago. However, it could be difficult to convince a team to take on his $5.5 million average annual value through 2028-29.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored the Montreal Canadiens were interested in signing Marchessault before he opted to join the Predators. Given his age and how his production has sagged, it’s doubtful they’ll revisit that interest.

Joakim Kemell could also be peddled. The 22-year-old forward has offensive potential, but his development with the Predators’ AHL affiliate has stalled.