One Notable Candidate Drops OUT Of Red Wings GM Search

The Detroit Red Wings' search for a new boss of hockey operations/general manager was supposed to come to a conclusion this week as we sit just over a week out from training camp. A report today, however, indicates that one of the leading candidates at the forefront of the process has dropped out of the running. 

Insider Elliotte Friedman tells us that perhaps the most intriguing candidate of all has withdrawn his name.

Detroit Tigers GM Jeff Greenberg — citing his commitment and desire to finish what he’s started— has withdrawn from consideration for the vacant Red Wings position.

The search continues minus one legit contender

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 7, 2026

Many around the league were intrigued at the possibility of a baseball man, the Detroit Tigers GM Jeff Greenberg, taking over the hockey reins in the Ilitch sports empire. But he has dropped out, "citing his commitment and desire to finish what he’s started," as Friedman puts it. Meaning, to get the Tigers to where they want to be, into World Series contention. 

Per Cody Stavenhagen in The Athletic, Greenberg said he has “tremendous respect and admiration for the organization and was honored to be considered for the opportunity, but he is committed to the Tigers and what this group is building.”

Greenberg has been with the Tigers in his position since 2023, though before that, he showed his stuff as an NHL executive, as he was in the Chicago Blackhawks' front office as an associate general manager.

Back in mid-July, long-time Red Wings hockey ops boss Steve Yzerman was removed from that position, moving out of the hockey operations department completely, to serve only as a senior adviser for CEO Chris Ilitch.  

The Red Wings have a couple of huge pieces of business to take care of as soon as they get their new man in place: The signing of restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson, and deciding what to do with the trade request from captain Dylan Larkin. 

Who is still under consideration for Red Wings job after Greenberg pulls out?

Reports in recent weeks have come up with some other targets the Wings were looking at, including internal candidates Shawn Horcoff and Kris Draper, in addition to Florida Panthers assistant GM Brett Peterson and San Jose Sharks AGM Jeff Kealty.