Red Wings owner shares fan frustration while hunting for hockey operations chief

Detroit Red Wings owner Chris Ilitch says he understands and shares fans’ frustration, including chants calling for him to sell the team, as the club struggles and faces turmoil over its leadership and roster. Ilitch is conducting a search for a president of hockey operations and says he will not rush the hire; that person will decide whether the team also appoints a general manager. He described his goal as finding an innovative leader to help build a contender, while defending the decision to remove Steve Yzerman and saying he is focused on the organization’s future. The team’s poor start and unresolved player matters, including Dylan Larkin’s trade request and Simon Edvinsson’s contract negotiations, have intensified scrutiny.