Steve Yzerman's Detroit Red Wings role has taken another turn under head coach Todd McLellan, with his hockey operations influence now set to disappear.
Detroit already stunned the hockey world earlier this summer by removing Yzerman from his general manager responsibilities while announcing that he would stay with the organization in an advisory role.
That announcement left one major question hanging over the Red Wings: how much power would Yzerman still carry once a new GM walked into the front office?
Elliotte Friedman has now provided an answer, and it makes Detroit's decision even more significant. The organization is telling GM candidates they will have autonomy rather than working under Yzerman's shadow.
Friedman explained that Detroit is making sure prospective hires understand that “candidates know that they will have autonomy.”
That changes the meaning of Yzerman's advisory position. Instead of remaining involved in major roster calls, the franchise icon appears set to move completely outside the hockey operations chain of command.
Detroit draws a clear line around Steve Yzerman
Friedman also addressed the belief that Yzerman could still retain influence behind the scenes once Detroit hired his successor.
According to Friedman, that interpretation is wrong, adding that “that's not going to be the case” when it comes to Yzerman maintaining a hockey operations role.
It's a striking separation for a figure who returned to Detroit as GM in 2019 and once appeared firmly entrenched as the man directing the Red Wings' rebuild.
The bigger consequence now falls on Detroit's GM search. Candidates aren't being asked to share authority with the previous general manager or seek Yzerman's approval on roster decisions.
That should make the position considerably clearer. Whoever takes over will be responsible for shaping the roster, making personnel calls and setting the direction of the hockey department.
For Yzerman, the message is equally clear. His name may remain attached to the organization, but Friedman's reporting indicates that the next Red Wings GM will be given room to run the club without interference from his predecessor.
Detroit didn't simply change general managers. The Red Wings are drawing a firm line between the Yzerman era and whoever takes control next.
Did the Red Wings make the right decision by removing Steve Yzerman from hockey operations?
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