Detroit Red Wings owner Chris Ilitch addressed growing fan anger before Detroit faced the Philadelphia Flyers at Little Caesars Arena, defending a deliberate search for new hockey leadership while acknowledging frustration over the team's performance and 10-season playoff drought.
The Red Wings entered the Flyers game with a 1-3-2 record, according to the Detroit Free Press and Sportsnet.
Fans had repeatedly chanted for the team to be sold at Little Caesars Arena.
Ilitch acknowledged that supporters have the right to criticize the franchise and said their dissatisfaction reflects the results on the ice.
"Fans absolutely have the right to tell us how they feel," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
The owner said winning remains the central expectation for supporters and ownership. He linked that expectation to his decision to change the hockey department's leadership.
"This is their team, so I understand their frustration. I share it, to be frank.
My thoughts are that fans want to see our team win on the ice and I do to, and as the person who is accountable for this franchise, it's why I made the change (in general managers) we are deliberate in our search," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
Ilitch said the executive search remains open and that he will not impose a deadline simply to fill the position.
"I'll make the hire when I find the right person," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
"It's too important to this organization, we have to find the right leader."
The organization is seeking a leader for hockey operations while Dylan Larkin's trade request remains unresolved. Ilitch declined to discuss his private conversations with the former captain.
"I've talked to Dylan, I talk to all of our players," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
Ilitch said his support extends to Larkin and every player currently on Detroit's roster. He also emphasized the resources available to help players reach their potential.
"I support Dylan and every player on our roster.
I do everything I can in terms of resources support to make sure our players can reach their full potential.
I support all of our players until they're not a Red Wing. They have my full support," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
Ilitch described the desired hockey executive as an innovative leader capable of responding to changes across the NHL.
"In January of last season, our team was first in our division, and we were fourth in the NHL," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
"A leadership change was not on my radar whatsoever.
Then our team slid through the spring, and at the end of the season, we decided, I decided, to do a pretty thorough organizational review.
And through that review, really determined that Steve had done some really good work for the organization beyond what he had inherited."
He said the review also convinced him that Detroit needed a different leadership approach after the league changed.
"But it was also apparent that the league had evolved, and there was an opportunity for new leadership, so I made the decision at that time.
That was a difficult but necessary decision," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
The review followed Detroit's 2025-26 season, which ended with the franchise missing the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season.
Steve Yzerman was dismissed as general manager in July.
"I'm determined to find the right leadership. I'm not looking backward.
I'm looking forward to finding our next leader," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
The next hockey operations president will have authority to determine whether Detroit adds a general manager and when that position should be filled.
"I will leave it up to that individual when they're on board, if they'd like to add a general manager and when they'd like to do that.
That's consistent with what I did with the Tiers when I brought in Scott Harris," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
Ilitch said analytics will matter in the modern NHL, although he does not view them as the only measure of organizational quality.
"The modern game has evolved," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
"The NHL has evolved and there are so many facets that a team has to be really proficient and good to compete and win.
Analytics are one component but I wouldn't over emphasize or under emphasize it. It's certainly a trait that is important in the modern NHL."
In the interim, Shawn Horcoff has continued leading hockey operations after becoming interim general manager on September 15.
Ilitch said Horcoff has quickly taken control of existing issues.
"I support Shawn in the work he's doing," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO. "He's doing a real good job in his role.
He stepped right in and hit the ground running. He has my full confidence."
"It's a great opportunity for him and a great opportunity for me to see him in action. He's been very good.
He's done a great job with (re-signing) Alex (DeBrincat), he's working hard on any and all issues.
He's still a candidate and we'll see how it plays out," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
The Detroit Free Press reported that Horcoff has ruled out a rebuild, a direction Ilitch said he supports while the permanent leadership search continues.
"Fans absolutely have the right to tell us how they feel," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
The chants demanding a sale were heard during Detroit's home opener on October 2 and continued as the team struggled early in the season.
"This is their team," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO. "I understand fan frustration.
I share it, to be frank. And my thoughts are that fans want to see our team win on the ice.
I do, too."
"As the person that's accountable for this franchise, it's why I made the change, and it's why I'm so deliberate in our search," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
Detroit's offseason uncertainty also includes Simon Edvinsson's contract situation and Larkin's unresolved trade request, according to Sportsnet and the Detroit Free Press.
"I am seeking a president of hockey operations," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
"I will leave it up to that individual once they're on board as to whether and when they would like to, if they'd like to, add a general manager and when they may like to do that."
Ilitch said the timing could extend well beyond the start of the season.
"This search could end soon, during this season. It could be at the end of the season.
I'll make the hire when I find the right person. It's just too important for this organization," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
The owner said Horcoff has full authority over hockey operations while the search continues and expressed confidence in the interim executive.
"I support Shawn in the work he's doing," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO. "He's doing a really nice job in his role.
He's stepped right in. He's hit the ground running.
A lot of these issues that he's dealing with were not new issues for him or the hockey operations team.
And so he's doing a nice job. I support him in all regards.
He's got my full confidence."
Earlier in the offseason, Ilitch said the organization had conducted a thorough review before removing Yzerman.
The decision came after Detroit's late-season slide from the top of its division.
"In January of last season, our team was first in our division," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
"We were fourth in the NHL. So a leadership change was not on my radar whatsoever.
Then our team slid through the spring, and at the end of the season, we decided, I decided, to do a pretty thorough organizational review.
And through that review, really determined that Steve had done some really good work for the organization beyond what he had inherited."
"But it was also apparent that the league had evolved, and there was an opportunity for new leadership.
And so I made the decision at that time. That was a difficult but necessary decision," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
Ilitch also declined to discuss his private talks with Larkin while reiterating support for the roster.
"I'm not going to get into any private conversations," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO. "I don't think that would be appropriate.
But I would say to you, I support Dylan. I support every single one of our players on our roster.
I do everything I can in terms of resources, support, to make sure that our players can reach their full potential."
Horcoff remains a candidate for the permanent role, while Ilitch continues seeking a president of hockey operations who can shape the department's future.
"A rebuild is out of the question," said Shawn Horcoff, interim general manager.
Horcoff's stated position indicates that Detroit intends to pursue a path aimed at remaining competitive rather than starting over through a conventional rebuild.
"Interim" appeared as the designation attached to Horcoff's general manager role as the organization evaluates its permanent structure.
Ilitch said the eventual president will determine whether Horcoff remains in the role or whether another general manager is added.
"Innovative difference maker" was the description Ilitch used for the type of leader he wants to oversee hockey operations.
The search remains open with no fixed timetable, according to Ilitch.
Detroit entered the Flyers game at 1-3-2 while carrying its 10-season playoff drought into the 2026-27 season.
"Sell the team" has remained the central chant from frustrated Red Wings supporters at Little Caesars Arena.
The latest reporting from the Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Sportsnet and Yahoo Sports all placed the fan reaction alongside Detroit's early-season record and organizational uncertainty.
"This is their team, so I understand their frustration. I share it, to be frank," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
Ilitch's comments came before Detroit's game against the Philadelphia Flyers as the franchise continued operating without a permanent president of hockey operations.
"As the person that's accountable for this franchise, it's why I made the (general manager) change, and it's why I'm so deliberate in our search," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
The Red Wings' leadership structure remains unsettled after Yzerman's July dismissal and Horcoff's September promotion.
"I am seeking a president of hockey operations," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
The eventual hire will have authority to decide whether the organization adds a general manager.
"A rebuild is out of the question" was Horcoff's stated position on the team's direction.
Ilitch said he supports Horcoff while the organization evaluates its next permanent hockey operations leader.
"I support Shawn in the work he's doing," said Chris Ilitch, Red Wings governor and CEO.
The search for a permanent hockey operations leader remains active, with Ilitch saying the hire could occur during the 2026-27 season or after it ends.
