The Daily: GM Search Starts with Data; Edvinsson Extension Up in the Air

It’s been quiet from the Red Wings front office after Steve Yzerman stepped aside as general manager last month, concluding a near seven year tenure in the role. One thing that hasn’t left the building yet, however, is Yzerman’s culture of secrecy, however, with the team staying tight-lipped about any progression in their search for the next general manager of Hockeytown.

What we do know, at least according to reports by the Free Press’ Helene St. James and Chris Ilitch’s history with his other franchise, the Detroit Tigers, is that the Red Wings are looking for an analytical mind with a data driven approach. St. James also reports that the team has hired an outside firm to consult with and take the lead for their search for their next top executive.

In the meanwhile, the Red Wings are operating under the limited direction of assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff. Considered one of the top internal candidates for the Red Wings’ open GM position due to his work as the Grand Rapids Griffins manager under Yzerman, Horcoff does not appear to have authority over trade talks according to St James.

Whether Horcoff running the day-to-day operations of the franchise includes extension talks with Simon Edvinsson is unclear at the moment, however. The Red Wings certainly will want to prioritize getting that signing done as soon as possible.

Though, given how late in the offseason the franchise signed their last star RFAs, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Edvinsson sitting out for part of training camp. The next Red Wings GM will certainly have a tall task in re-signing the big defenseman to a contract that doesn’t rock the boat with team’s number 1, Mo Seider.

After yesterday’s tease, the Toledo Walleye unveiled their new uniforms going forward from the 2026-27 season. The Red Wings’ ECHL affiliate revealed four new sweaters for the team with four separate logos and designs.

A recent poll revealed that the Red Wings logo and uniform was the most recognizable amongst all NHL franchises.

That kind of brand recognition has more value to the team than any short term marketing gains from redesigning the uniform. However, the team has made several alternate jerseys over the past few years, including last year’s centennial celebration jerseys, and there have been rumblings of a “Hometown Remix” initiative for the NHL, similar to the NBA’s city connect jerseys.