Insider Surprised Red Wings Haven't Talked To This GM Candidate
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic raised the name in his latest rumblings column. "I'm surprised the Red Wings haven't interviewed Ryan Martin yet," LeBrun wrote, before adding that Martin "would seem like a logical candidate to at least speak with. Perhaps that will happen now?"
Why LeBrun Raised It Now
Detroit Tigers GM Jeff Greenberg withdrew his name from consideration earlier this week, closing off one of the more intriguing external options the Red Wings had reportedly been eyeing.
Ansar Khan: Re Red Wings management: Another former Red Wing assistant GM, the assistant with the Rangers Ryan Martin, he could be another possibility - Jason Gregor Show (7/15)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 18, 2026
Martin spent 14 years with Detroit, working as an assistant general manager while also running the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings' AHL affiliate, where he won two Calder Cup titles.
He was part of the front office when Detroit won the Stanley Cup in 2008, and his responsibilities in Detroit reportedly included salary-cap management, CBA compliance, contract negotiations, and arbitration preparation.
Martin left for the New York Rangers in 2021, initially as an assistant general manager before being promoted to associate general manager while continuing to run their AHL club in Hartford.
He's also picked up international experience, serving as GM of Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World Championship.
The Clock Is Running Out
Detroit doesn't have the luxury of taking its time.
Training camp opens September 17, and the Red Wings still don't have a contract in place for restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson, one of several pieces of business a new GM would need to handle almost immediately upon being hired.
The franchise has been remarkably stable at the top for decades, with only two general managers since 1997.
Ken Holland won three Stanley Cups during his tenure before Detroit's 25-year playoff streak ended, and Yzerman never got the team back to the postseason across his seven years in charge. Whoever takes over next inherits a organization that hasn't made the playoffs since Yzerman arrived, along with an unresolved trade request from captain Dylan Larkin.
Jeff Marek: Re Red Wings management search: Jeff Greenberg pulled out; I'm of the impression that that was a surprise at the Red Wings' end; how much of a surprise, I don't know - The Sheet (9/8)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 9, 2026
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NHLRR: Greenberg, who is currently involved with the MLB's Detroit Tigers, had…
LeBrun's comments don't confirm Martin will get an interview, let alone the job.
