Now that the Steve Yzerman era is officially over, it's time for the Motor City to start looking for a new reliable head to pump up the executive duties. But how’s the approach looking so far?

Handing out the major duties to the internal team is one way to go about it, but Sportsnet Journalist Elliotte Friedman sees it differently. His point is that the Detroit Red Wings are likely to give chances to their assistant general managers, but no way they’ll be parking the bus just there.

“They will cast a wide net; they will give their internal candidates, you're talking about people like Kris Draper and Shawn Horcoff, they will give them the opportunity,” he said on NHL Tonight on July 15, 2026. “But they are also going to go outside.”

Both Draper and Horcoff have been the Red Wings assistant GMs since 2023 and 2022, respectively. In fact, Horcoff’s management of the club’s AHL affiliate, Grand Rapids, has been notable. The team made the playoffs in the 2025-26 season, finishing 1^st in the Central Division.

However, there might be a rocky stretch to that. Despite Horcoff’s success with Grand Rapids, he’s been a part of Yzerman’s squad. And the former GM’s stagnant, inactive building process hasn’t really gone down well with the team.

The Red Wings' choice will define the franchise's next era. But if they’re looking outside, who stands out?

Who Else Could Replace Yzerman?

According to The Athletic's journalist Max Bultman, New York Rangers associate GM Ryan Martin shines the brightest after Horcoff. He has been with the Red Wings front office before, for 16 long years, and served as GM for the 2022 World Championship team. A familiarity factor is there.

Bultman’s next case is for former Red Wings player Brendan Shanahan. He served as the president of the Toronto Maple Leafs (2014-25). But his current experience as the leader of a review of men's junior hockey in Ontario for Hockey Canada might translate to something better for the Red Wings.

Lastly, the assistant GM of the Boston Bruins, Evan Gold, who is set to leave Boston this August. Per Bultman, Gold was recently a finalist for the Vancouver Canucks’ general manager opening. His experience can also be useful in Detroit.

The Red Wings have options; execution is the challenge. The question is how wise they'll be about their pick this time.

Got another name to add to the list? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy