Red Wings GM Search Narrows as Jeff Greenberg Withdraws

Detroit’s search narrows as roster decisions loom

Detroit’s next general manager will inherit two high-stakes roster questions before the 2026-27 season begins: whether to pursue a long-term deal for defenseman Simon Edvinsson and how to handle captain Dylan Larkin’s unresolved trade request. Those decisions will arrive while the club is still choosing the executive who’ll make them. The search has started narrowing, with Detroit Tigers GM Jeff Greenberg withdrawing from consideration on Sept. 7.

Greenberg told the Red Wings he was honored by the opportunity and held the organization in high regard, but remained committed to the Tigers and their plans, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reported. Elliotte Friedman first reported that Greenberg had removed himself from the running. His withdrawal narrows the pool, though it doesn’t clarify who’s now best positioned to take the job or when Detroit expects to make a decision.

His career has crossed baseball and hockey, giving him experience in two professional sports organizations. After an internship with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Greenberg joined the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011, then spent nine years with the Chicago Cubs, including as an assistant general manager. He moved to the Chicago Blackhawks as an associate GM in 2022 and became the Tigers’ GM in 2023. That path made him an unusual candidate for a hockey role, but his decision leaves Detroit to weigh the remaining candidates on their own experience and fit.

Detroit has cut candidates from the field

The Red Wings had informed some interviewees that they were no longer being considered, PuckPedia reported Sept. 4. The club hasn’t disclosed how many candidates remain, so the report signals movement without revealing how close Detroit is to a final choice. That distinction matters: a narrowing search can indicate progress, but it doesn’t tell outsiders what the team values most in its next GM.

Detroit is seeking a successor to Steve Yzerman, who is leaving the GM post for a senior advisor role. A search firm is helping find a full-time hire, with Shawn Horcoff handling interim duties. The interim arrangement gives the organization a person in the role while the search continues, but the long-term roster calls are waiting for someone with permanent authority.

Among the names previously linked to interviews were Florida Panthers assistant GM Brett Peterson and San Jose Sharks assistant GM Jeff Kealty. Max Bultman of The Athletic also identified Carolina Hurricanes assistant GMs Darren Yorke and Tyler Dellow as possible candidates. These names show the range of reported possibilities, but the club has not confirmed which names remain in contention. For now, there’s no public basis to treat any one candidate as the favorite.

Two decisions await the next GM

Detroit has $19 million in available cap space, but that flexibility doesn’t remove the pressure of the calendar. Edvinsson’s representatives have paused contract discussions until a permanent GM is in place, leaving the incoming executive to take up talks that haven’t advanced. The 23-year-old posted 25 points in 72 games in 2025-26 and finished plus-12, second on the team behind Moritz Seider at plus-15. Detroit selected Edvinsson sixth overall in 2021. Those figures describe a young defenseman already playing a substantial role, but they don’t settle what a long-term contract should cost or how the team values his future contribution.

If the sides want an eight-year contract, they must reach an agreement by Sept. 15. AFP Analytics projects a seven-year deal worth $8.77 million per season, a projection that offers a reference point rather than a confirmed negotiating position. The difference between that estimate and an eight-year agreement also underscores that the contract’s length is part of the decision, not just its annual price. The incoming GM will have little time to assess the situation and set a direction. A tight window.

Larkin’s situation may prove even more consequential because it reaches beyond one contract negotiation. The Waterford, Michigan, native requested a trade this summer, but remains with Detroit for now. He scored 67 points in 74 games last season and has spent 11 years with the Red Wings. The next GM must decide whether to keep the captain or move him before the season starts, a choice that will shape the team’s direction as it enters a difficult Atlantic Division race. This is more significant than it looks: the choice will help define what kind of team the new executive intends to build, even before a full season has begun.

The first decisions will set the course

With training camp approaching, Detroit’s search is tied directly to roster planning. The new executive won’t have the luxury of treating the hiring process and the team’s immediate needs as separate matters; the timing connects them. If you’re following the Red Wings, the practical question is whether the club can appoint a permanent GM soon enough for that person to influence both negotiations and the roster decision on Larkin.

That said, the available information doesn’t establish how Detroit will resolve either situation. The club hasn’t confirmed which candidates remain, Edvinsson’s talks are paused, and Larkin is still with the team after requesting a trade. The next GM’s first test may come before the opening game: establish the club’s course on both players while assembling a team ready for the season. The answers will reveal how the organization balances immediate choices with its broader direction.