Chris Ilitch responds to questions about Steve Yzerman's future in Detroit.

Although the story has died down considerably as the 2018 - 2019 National Hockey League regular season has moved forward, one of the major talking points coming into the season for the Detroit Red Wings was the long term future of Red Wings general manager Ken Holland. It was not so much that there was any talk of Holland being fired or even taking on a lesser role within the team, instead the focus of the talk on the rumors leading up to the season was on the future of then Tamap Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman.

Yzerman would of course go on to step down from that position in mid September of 2019, handing over the Tampa Bay Lightning general manager's office to former assistant general manager Julien Brisebois and moving over to what has been described as a "senior advisory role," within the organization instead. It was this move that sparked rampant speculation regarding a potential reunion between Yzerman and his former team the Detroit Red Wings, with most of the speculation suggesting that Yzerman would take over Holland's role as the new general manager of the Red Wings.

It's hard to argue that the move does not make sense for the outside looking in. Not only is Yzerman one of the most well respected players in the history of the Detroit Red Wings franchise, his name ranks up there with the all time great Red Wings players, but he has also had an incredible run of success as the general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Not only has Yzerman managed to build a perennial Stanley Cup contender, the clear favorites to win it all this season no less, but did so while getting his players to take team friendly deals, showing his skills as a negotiator in the process as well.

As you would expect though given the fact that Yzerman remains under contract with the Lightning until the end of this season, no one in the Red Wings organization has addressed the blockbuster rumors surrounding their team, that is not until now. A new report from Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press has obtained a comment from Detroit Red Wings owner Chris Ilitch and although he does not say much he certainly hints at a great deal.

"There's not a lot I can say about that, other than I know his contract is expiring this summer. We'll leave it at that," said Ilitch when asked about Yzerman.

The Red Wings owner has just made it clear that he knows Yzerman's contract is up this summer. Take that as you will.