Red Wings open camp under pressure
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Has Hockeytown lost its luster?
Why it matters: The Red Wings opened training camp this week after missing the playoffs for a 10th straight season, with questions growing louder about owner Chris Ilitch's stewardship of one of hockey's marquee franchises.
State of play: Detroit's foundation is shaky. The team just named an interim general manager, it has no captain and star Dylan Larkin is returning under unusual circumstances after requesting a trade this offseason.
- The team revealed Wednesday that Larkin suffered an upper-body injury during off-ice training earlier this week.
- There's no timetable for his return, though the Wings hope he can play during the preseason.
The latest: Larkin broke his silence Thursday, saying he doesn't regret requesting a trade but declining to explain what drove him to the decision — or whether the request still stands.
- "There's frustration there. I'm frustrated as well," Larkin said of the fans.
What they're saying: Mike Valenti, one of Detroit sports radio's loudest voices, argued this week on 97.1 The Ticket that Ilitch has presided over the decline of what he called a "Tiffany franchise," akin to the New York Yankees and Boston Celtics.
- "The Wings have the longest playoff drought in the sport, and you're the steward," Valenti said. "You're a part of the problem."
Catch up quick: The Wings' latest season ended with another March collapse and, ultimately, a 41–31–10 record.
- Ilitch then decided to move on from longtime GM Steve Yzerman — but only after Yzerman oversaw the draft and free agency.
- This week, just before training camp, Ilitch named longtime front-office executive Shawn Horcoff interim GM.
The other side: In his first public comments since the offseason upheaval, Ilitch told Detroit News columnist Bob Wojnowski that he has "a clear vision" for the franchise and is taking his time finding the right hockey-operations leader.
Ilitch said the decision to move on from Yzerman came after an organizational review following the spring collapse. By then, he said, the usual GM hiring window had passed and Yzerman's staff had already prepared for the draft and free agency.
What's next: Detroit opens the season Oct. 2.