Steve Yzerman abruptly steps down as Red Wings GM - ESPN

Steve Yzerman is no longer general manager of the Detroit Red Wings after seven disappointing seasons running a franchise for which he was a Hall of Fame player.

The Red Wings announced Wednesday that Yzerman is transitioning from his role as executive vice president and GM but will continue serving the organization as senior adviser to governor and CEO Chris Ilitch. The team is searching for a new head of hockey operations.

«I am sincerely grateful to Chris and the entire Ilitch family,» Yzerman said in a statement. «This organization has given me incredible opportunities, from my time as a player to the privilege of returning as GM. I've appreciated every experience throughout the years, and I'm extremely proud to remain part of this great franchise.»

Yzerman had a Hall of Fame career as a center for the Red Wings, retiring in 2006 with 692 goals, 1,755 points and three Stanley Cup wins. A team captain for two decades, Yzerman is one of nine Red Wings to have his number retired.

After joining Detroit's front office in 2006, Yzerman took over the Tampa Bay Lightning as GM in May 2010. He oversaw the building of a championship team in Tampa Bay through NHL draft success and strong player development, although the Lightning would win their back-to-back Stanley Cups after Yzerman left for Detroit in 2019.

Under Yzerman, the Lightning made the Stanley Cup Final in 2015, the same season in which he won NHL general manager of the year.

Yzerman returned to Detroit to restore the luster to the Red Wings, who had missed the playoffs for three straight seasons and hadn't won a playoff round since 2013, when they still had legends such as Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg on the roster. His stated goal when hired by team