Steve Yzerman is back with the Red Wings, per reports Friday morning that he is set to become the team's next general manager. And the man he's replacing is a big reason why.
Ken Holland, who is reportedly moving to senior vice president to make way for Yzerman, has been working on this succession plan for the past 3 months, according to Sportsnet.
I'm told the architect of Yzerman's return to the Red Wings is Ken Holland. He has been working on this for the past 3 months.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) April 19, 2019It's a notable change in heart on the part of Holland, who reportedly declined to step aside as GM during Yzerman's first stint in the Red Wings front office from 2006-09. That's what prompted Yzerman's move to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
10 years later, Holland was willing to hand over the reins. He still has one year remaining on his contract with Detroit.
As for what comes after that, it remains to be seen.
As for DET, there's no doubt in my mind that Ken Holland absolutely facilitated Yzerman's return and he's quite content to move upstairs and it's possible though not fully guaranteed Holland will finish out his stellar NHL exec career with the Wings...
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) April 19, 2019...But the reality is that Holland still enjoys being an NHL GM and if an opportunity presented itself to be a GM elsewhere, you never know. But it would have to be the perfect fit in terms of ownership, team, location, challenge etc.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) April 19, 2019Holland, 63, was asked earlier this month whether he would like to remain with the Red Wings regardless of his position in the front office. He's been with the team since 1983, GM since 1997.
"That's a great question," Holland told the Jamie and Stoney Show on 97.1 The Ticket. "I don't have an answer for you. But I am a proud, proud Red Wing and I love being a Red Wing and I love living in Michigan. We've put roots down. I love the fans, I love the people that work for the Red Wings, I love the young players.
"Certainly would be very difficult for me to leave."
