“I would like to congratulate Ken Holland on his new position with the Edmonton Oilers and thank him for more than three decades of hard work, loyalty and passion for the Detroit Red Wings,” said Red Wings Governor, President and CEO Christopher Ilitch. “When Ken decided it was in the best long-term interest of the Red Wings for Steve Yzerman to serve in the role of General Manager, we knew there was a strong possibility other franchises would inquire about him. It is a testament to how well-respected and admired Ken is around the National Hockey League. Ken is a first-class person and a top-notch hockey man. We’re ecstatic about the future of the Red Wings with Steve in charge, and on behalf of Marian Ilitch and the entire Red Wings family, we would like to thank Ken for 36 wonderful seasons and wish him, his wife Cindi, and the rest of the Holland family all the best going forward."
STATEMENT FROM STEVE YZERMAN
“Ken Holland has been a friend of mine since I was drafted in 1983,” said Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman. “We were teammates, he held various executive roles during my playing career and he served as a mentor to me as I transitioned into management. There are very few General Managers in the history of the National Hockey League who have accomplished what he has, and I consider it a privilege to have been able to learn from him both in Detroit and during our time together with Hockey Canada. I was hopeful that Ken would stay with the Red Wings and was excited to once again work alongside him, but I understand that Ken is a true competitor who loves being a General Manager, and that he still has a burning desire to contend for Stanley Cup championships as the person in charge. I look forward to competing against him and, as a close friend, sincerely wish him the best of luck in his new role with the Oilers.”
Coming off a first-round playoff exit against the Los Angeles Kings, the Red Wings appeared to be fading in 2001. That changed on July 1, when they acquired goaltender Dominik Hasek from the Buffalo Sabres for winger Slava Kozlov and a first-round pick.
The move helped lure free agents Luc Robitaille and Brett Hull as the Red Wings created a super team with nine future Hall-of-Fame players. The Dominator helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup before retiring for one season....
Trade for Brad Stuart
A somewhat under-the-radar move at the 2008 trade deadline, this former third overall pick was acquired from Los Angeles for a second- and a fourth-round selection.
He formed a solid second defense pairing with Niklas Kronwall on the 2008 Cup-winning team and spent parts of five seasons with the Red Wings.
The worst moves
Signing Uwe Krupp
The Red Wings signed the oft-injured 6-6, 235-pound defenseman to a four-year, $16 million deal in 1998, after beating his Colorado Avalanche in the playoffs.
Krupp appeared in only 22 games his first season due to a back injury. The club learned he was participating in dog-sled racing while injured and at one point suspended him. Krupp returned to play eight games in 2001-02. He and the club eventually became embroiled in a legal battle over his contact.
The Detroit Red Wings are in the mix for a skilled Finnish defenseman and have a good chance of landing him, according to his agent.
Oliwer Kaski, a mobile, offensive-minded defenseman with good size (6-3, 187), will decide on his team shortly.
His agent, Todd Diamond, told MLive on Monday that the Red Wings “are under strong consideration and one of the finalists. Obviously, they have a very good chance. But we’ll finalize it in the next couple of days.”
DETROIT - Detroit Red Wings executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced today that the team has hired Pat Verbeek as assistant general manager. Verbeek will serve alongside current assistant general manager Ryan Martin in the Red Wings' front office and will focus on player personnel decisions. Martin will continue to serve as general manager of the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins.
"I'm very excited to return to the Red Wings," said Verbeek. "I want to thank the Ilitch family, Jimmy Devellano, Ken Holland and Steve Yzerman for giving me a start in scouting after my playing career and providing a strong foundation for my managerial career. I'd also like to thank the Tampa Bay Lightning for nine tremendous years. I believe there is an exciting young core here in Detroit, and I'm looking forward to working with the rest of the hockey operations staff to get this team back into contention."
As mentioned on the @TSNHockey#Bobcast on Friday, TB AGM Pat Verbeek will be joining Steve Yzerman in DET. But Jamie Pushor, Stacy Roest and Al Murray will remain with TB. There had been speculation some of them might have gone to DET too but they’re staying with the Bolts.
Some in the Red Wings’ front office might need to decide between Detroit and Edmonton, if not this summer then possibly in the near future.
Here is a rundown of some members of Red Wings management:
Ryan Martin, assistant general manager: Holland hired him in 2005 as a “capologist,” after the NHL implemented the salary cap. He was promoted to his current position a few years later. Martin is the club’s CBA expert and assumed the role of Grand Rapids Griffins GM after Jim Nill left for Dallas in 2013. He is involved in contract negotiations at the NHL and AHL levels. Yzerman tried to hire him as assistant GM in Tampa Bay in 2010.
Kris Draper, assistant to the general manager: He was considered a strong candidate to eventually replace Holland before Yzerman got the job. Draper joined the front office immediately after retiring as a player in 2011, following 17 seasons with the Red Wings, including 12 as Yzerman’s teammate. He has worked closely with Holland in player evaluation at the pro and amateur ranks and does extensive scouting. He has had input on potential trades, free-agent signings and draft selections (he pushed for Tyler Bertuzzi in 2013).
Tyler Wright, director of amateur scouting: The former 12th overall pick of the Oilers seems destined to join Holland in Edmonton. The Red Wings hit the jackpot in Wright’s first draft, selecting Dylan Larkin 15th. Time will tell if his other top picks – Evgeny Svechnikov, Dennis Cholowski, Michael Rasmussen and Filip Zadina -- or other selections pan out. If Wright leaves, Yzerman likely will try to lure Al Murray, who Yzerman named to the same position in 2010 shortly after joining the Lightning. Murray is regarded as one of the best in the business and was believed to be a candidate for the Oilers GM job.
My understanding is, Holland is informing the Ilitch family and the Red Wings today. And as has been speculated all week, the Oilers offer is believed to 5 years at $5 million per.
The paperwork still has to get done. Provided all of that is managed today, expect the Oilers to introduce Holland as the new GM in the next few days. Holland will have autonomy and Nicholson could take on a bigger role as well.
Holland and Nicholson had a friendly discussion a couple of weeks ago, but more about Holland’s job change in Det. The veteran GM still wants to be a GM and needed time to think things through.
According to TSN'S Ryan Rishaug, Ken Holland will accept the job as Oilers general manager, and could be introduced as early as Tuesday.
You can listen to Rishaug on this at the TSN link.
added 12:23pm,
Ken Holland is expected to meet with DET ownership today. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, an announcement of the move to Edmonton will follow at some point.
I caught up with Blashill to get his views on the World Championship, and working with Yzerman.
Is this as talented a roster as you’ve had in three years?
"Yes. It speaks to the depth of U.S. players that I think every country gets people that say no because of a variety of reasons. I think what’s happening in the U.S. is that as our player pool continues to grow, we can absorb enough no’s and still assemble a team that has the potential to be great. I’d also say the teams we brought the last two tournaments – two years ago we lost in the quarters after winning six straight, it showed we were good enough to win. Last year, everybody believed we were good enough to win gold. So I think once you have that belief that the team is going to go over there and be good enough to win gold, you are going to be more likely to sign up. As a result, this is certainly as talented a roster as I’ve taken over.
You and Steve had your first extensive meeting May 1. How did that go?
"I’ve been fortunate over the last four years to have worked with future Hall of Fame general manager Ken Holland. That’s been an unbelievable experience and has helped my growth to a great degree. Now I have a chance to work with another Hall of Famer. I have an opportunity to learn and grow from him, and find ways to push his organization to where we all want it to be, and that’s on top. I know he spoke at the press conference that it takes patience. He is going to make sure he doesn’t take any shortcuts for short team to success, that is very evident. It’s a long-term plan. I think that’s great."
The Edmonton Oilers could soon have an answer to the question of who their next general manager will be.
Sportsnet’s Mark Spector reported on Friday that the club is all-in on acquiring the longtime GM of the Detroit Red Wings, who recently stepped aside from the position in Detroit for Steve Yzerman to take the reins.
The Oilers job is Holland’s if he wants it, and it looks like he’s close to making up his mind.
“I think we’re going to find out one way or the other over the next 24 to 48 hours, it’s expected that he’s going to make his final decision,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on Hockey Night in Canada Saturday night. “They’ve got a big offer on the table, rumoured to be five [years] times five [million].”
Holland’s had some great success in the pre-salary cap era, and that shouldn’t be ignored. But he’s also had some really, really bad, really really bad time in Detroit when forced to work within the confines of the salary cap. This is the guy traded a first round pick and a prospect for Kyle Quincey. Also, the guy who signed Stephen Weiss to a five year deal before buying him out after two injury-riddled seasons. And? He’s got plenty of experience with Bob Nicholson through Hockey Canada, which may suggest loyalty in Nicholson’s favour down the road.
We’ll likely know shortly who will be the next GM of the Edmonton Oilers. For our benefit, we can only hope that a dark horse candidate emerges in the coming days.
added 10:54am, Some comments from Mark Spector's article on Sportsnet yesterday.
Holland got 15 million in LTIR relief, still spends to the cap & came in 28th … this guy is PERFECT for the hapless Oil, hey … have a boo at the masterful job he’s done in Detroit ..
Larkin … 6.1 per … 73 pts …
Nielsen … 5.25 per …35 pts …
Abelkader … 4.25 per …19 pts …
Helm … 3.85 per … 17 pts …
Mantha … 3.3 per … 48 pts …
Athanasiou … 3. Per … 54 pts …
DeKeyser … 5.0 … 20 pts …
I'm torn. Bringing in Ken brings in a veteran well respected proven GM who will not take any guff the OBC.
On the other hand DET has not produced anything in quite some time - has he lost his magic??
I've been on the Hunter(s) GM and HC team since PC was rightfully dumped, but are they ready to lead this cap and mentality challenged team out of this mess??
Whomever it or they are there is work to be done and some of it has to be ugly.
added 7:00pm, Sportsnet saying talks continue with Holland, want to have this wrapped up in the next few days.
from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,
The Edmonton Oilers are all-in on Ken Holland. But is the Detroit Red Wings icon ready to commit to Edmonton?
The Oilers hunt for a general manager, being conducted by CEO Bob Nicholson, is ready to wrap up. The Oilers and Holland have conducted extensive negotiations, with sources telling Sportsnet that the important issue of complete autonomy to hire and fire at will has been granted by Edmonton.
Now it is up to Holland to decide whether or not he will take the job.
The Edmonton Oilers are all-in on Ken Holland. But is the Detroit Red Wings icon ready to commit to Edmonton?
The Oilers hunt for a general manager, being conducted by CEO Bob Nicholson, is ready to wrap up. The Oilers and Holland have conducted extensive negotiations, with sources telling Sportsnet that the important issue of complete autonomy to hire and fire at will has been granted by Edmonton.
Now it is up to Holland to decide whether or not he will take the job.
Although Nicholson has informed some candidates that they won’t be getting the job, the hire has reached that delicate point where the final candidates — which include Mark Hunter, Keith Gretzky and Sean Burke — can not be ruled out, in case Holland decides against taking the job.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work for Ken Holland, to learn tons of stuff and had great interactions with him, and now (for the organization) to bring another Hall of Famer in Steve Yzerman, for me personally, to be able to interact and learn and find ways to be successful. … You think about it, there’s not many organizations that have those types of people in their management departments,” Blashill said.
Yzerman and Blashill met earlier in the week for the first time since Yzerman was hired. Yzerman and Holland had been scouting the under-18 world championships in Sweden.
“It’s great to have a guy like Steve, his pedigree and knowledge, to try to help us continue in this process of building the Red Wings back to where we all want the Red Wings to be,” Blashill said. “It’s a great opportunity and excellent for me to be able to, again, learn from another great voice.”
For coach Jeff Blashill and forwards Dylan Larkin and Luke Glendening, they will represent Team USA. Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi are playing for Canada; Filip Hronek for the Czech Republic.
The tournament, which this year takes place in Slovakia, begins May 10, with the finals on May 26.
“There isn’t a guy on this team who’d wouldn’t rather be in the NHL playoffs,” Blashill said. “That’s a given. (But) I’m a big a believer if you get the chance to continue to work later into May, you don’t get used to being done early, and you’re preparing yourself for the days when you’re going to have opportunities in long playoff runs. It’s the message I’ve given our players – prepare yourself that way.”
The world championships, usually held in Europe, are tough to beat for national pride and excitement.
It’s not uncommon for fans of the participating teams to roam the streets while carrying flags, chanting during games, and generally creating a festive atmosphere.
DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Leonard "Red" Kelly, who passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 91.
"Red Kelly was one of the most accomplished players in the history of the Detroit Red Wings, a tremendously impactful figure to the game of hockey, and a wonderful person and family man," said Red Wings Governor, President and CEO Christopher Ilitch. "I would like to extend our most sincere condolences, on behalf of Marian Ilitch and the entire Red Wings family, to his wife, Andra, and all of his family and friends. Red was a true hockey legend and had the remarkable distinction of being considered one of the best at his position as both a defenseman and a forward during his career. His on-ice achievements speak for themselves, between eight Stanley Cup championships and his collection of league awards and honors. Beyond that, he was a gracious and humble person, and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him."
Ken Kal sits down with new Executive Vice President and General Manager, Steve Yzerman, and new Senior Vice President, Ken Holland in a Red Wings TV exclusive.
In his Tuesday Night 31 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet mentioned this...
Prior to Steve Yzerman’s hiring in Detroit, Holland discussed a return for Pavel Datsyuk. Not sure if the odds would be very high, but Datsyuk was — at least — considering it. He is scheduled to return to Michigan in May, so we’ll see if this goes anywhere.
Below, Pavel Datsyuk confirms hi time is done in the KHL.
The Red Wings have missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, and under new general manager Steve Yzerman, are looking to end that slide as soon as possible.
How they improve, change, add to or subtract, that stockpile of players obviously will decide how soon the losing ends.
Whose individual stock is highest right now? Who's is among the lowest?
The Detroit News takes a stab at ranking the top 50 players in the organization, given success at the NHL level, age, potential, contract situation, and position played.
It’s a list with plenty of hope for the future. But potential has to be realized by those young players, because the present roster appears to have hit its limit and is rather stagnant.
more and see the slideshow, 1. is Larkin, 2. is Athanasiou and 3. is Zadina...
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that.
