Updated October 15, 2026, 7:05 p.m. ET
Christopher Ilitch described what it was like to hear fans express their anger over his management of the team his family has owned for more than four decades.
“Fans absolutely have a right to tell us how they feel,” the governor and CEO of the Detroit Red Wings said during an 18-minute interview with select reporters on Thursday, Oct. 15, hours before the Wings went 1-3-2 against the Philadelphia Flyers at Little Caesars Arena.
Songs of “Sell the team!” echoed from the stands during the Wings’ opening game on October 2.
“It’s their team,” said Iitch, president of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “I understand the fans’ frustration. I share it, to be frank. And I think the fans want to see our team win on the ice. Me too.
“As the leader of this franchise, that’s why I made this change, and that’s why I’m so deliberate in our pursuit.”
The change
Ilitch said the organizational review that ultimately led to the firing of Steve Yzerman as general manager in mid-July began shortly after the end of the 2025-26 season, with the Wings missing the playoffs for a 10th straight year — the longest active drought in the NHL. The review included discussions with current players.
“In January of last season, our team was first in our division,” Ilitch said. “We were fourth in the NHL, so a change in leadership was not on my radar at all. Then our team slipped in the spring and at the end of the season we decided, I decided, to do a pretty thorough organizational review. And through that review, I really determined that Steve had done a really good job for the organization beyond what he had inherited.
“But it was also clear that the league had evolved and there was an opportunity for new leadership. That’s why I made the decision at that time. It was a difficult but necessary decision.”
On Dylan Larkin
The leadership change is just one of the events that have rocked the organization over the past six months. Then-captain Dylan Larkin requested to be traded shortly after the end of last season, and there is also a contract impasse with restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson.
Ilitch said he had spoken to Larkin, whom the team would like to keep because he is their top center and is in the fourth year of an eight-year contract, but declined to elaborate on the conversation.
“I’m not going to get into private conversations,” he said. “I don’t think it would be appropriate. But I will tell you that I support Dylan. I support every one of our players on our squad. I do everything I can in terms of resources, in terms of support, to make sure that our players can reach their full potential.”
On a reconstruction
Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff, promoted to assistant general manager on Sept. 15, two days before the start of training camp, has been adamant about the direction he wants to take the club, saying “a rebuild is out of the question.” This would rule out accepting picks or prospects in exchange for Larkin, unless those assets can immediately be traded for valued players.
Ilitch said he supports this mindset.
“I support Shawn in the work he does,” Ilitch said. “He’s doing a really good job in his role. He stepped in right away. He hit the ground running. A lot of these issues that he’s dealing with weren’t new to him or the hockey operations team. So he’s doing a good job. I support him in every way. He has my full confidence.
“I’m responsible for the direction of the franchise and also finding the right people to run it. My role has been to find great leaders, provide them with the resources and authority to do their job, and then support them. And that’s what I’ve always done. I did it with Steve, I’m doing it with Shawn and I’ll do it with our next head of hockey operations. I’m not going to sit here and act like a general manager. Ultimately, I support him in leadership that he takes. wants to address a whole series of issues related to hockey operations.
How the research takes place
Horcoff is a candidate to have the “interim” label removed, but the search continues for someone who can move the franchise forward, in part by being adept at analytics.
“I’m looking for a president of hockey operations,” Ilitch said. “I’ll leave it up to that person, once they’re on board, to decide if and when they want to add a general manager and when they want to do it.
“This search could end soon, during this season. It could be at the end of the season. I will make the hiring when I find the right person. It’s just too important for this organization.”
Contact Hélène St. James at Hstjames@freepress.com. Learn more about theDetroit Red Wings and sign up for ourRed Wings Newsletter.
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