Remembering Steve Yzerman’s Return as Red Wings GM on This Day in 2019

Time flies, and on this day in 2019, the Detroit Red Wings welcomed back a true franchise icon, Steve Yzerman. The beloved former captain, who led the team to three Stanley Cup championships and earned numerous accolades during his illustrious playing career, returned as the team’s new general manager.

Yzerman faced a daunting task upon his return, inheriting a team with a significantly depleted prospect pool and a roster burdened by several cumbersome contracts tied to underperforming players. Former general manager Ken Holland, who had been at the helm since shortly after the club’s 1997 Stanley Cup victory, initially stepped aside to take on a role as Senior Vice President before leaving to become the new GM of the Edmonton Oilers.

“I’m extremely excited to be back in Detroit with the Red Wings,” Yzerman expressed during his introductory press conference at Little Caesars Arena. He acknowledged the unwavering support he received from the city, Red Wings fans, and the state of Michigan throughout his playing career. “I am very excited to return to the organization and join the Red Wings again, with our goal of getting the team back in contention for Stanley Cups and the championship that is expected and has come to be expected in Detroit,” he added.

Having previously transformed the Tampa Bay Lightning into a powerhouse during his tenure as general manager, Yzerman’s first move with the Red Wings came just months later at the 2019 NHL Draft, where he selected German defenseman Moritz Seider. Seider has since emerged as the club’s top defender and is now a strong contender for the Norris Trophy, thanks to his stellar performance in the recently completed 2025-26 season.

Despite Yzerman’s efforts, the Red Wings endured their worst season in over three decades during his first year, surprisingly landing fourth overall in the NHL Lottery instead of the coveted top pick. However, their selection of Lucas Raymond proved to be a silver lining. Other notable draft picks under Yzerman include Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson, Marco Kasper, and Axel Sandin-Pellikka, while Nate Danielson and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård made their NHL debuts this past season. Emmitt Finnie, a seventh-round pick from 2023, played in all 82 games during the 2025-26 season and registered 30 points.

Additionally, a promising group of players is on the horizon, including goaltenders Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine, along with forwards Max Plante, Carter Bear, and Amadeus Lombardi. Yzerman’s acumen has also been evident in his trades, most notably acquiring Alex DeBrincat, Detroit’s first 40-goal scorer since the 2008-09 season, and goaltender John Gibson, who was among the league’s best at his position for a significant stretch this year, helping the Red Wings build a solid cushion in the playoff race by the end of January.

Despite steadily improving in the standings every season since Yzerman’s return, with the exception of the 2024-25 campaign, the Red Wings have yet to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nonetheless, Yzerman’s position appears secure, with ownership fully backing his long-term vision for the franchise.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.