Steve Yzerman’s departure as general manager was handled “wrong” and was “painful to witness unfold,” according to Henrik Zetterberg’s public criticism of the Detroit Red Wings. His statements put even more strain on an already problematic group.
Henrik Zetterberg has made no secret of his feelings. The Red Wings legend, who spent 15 seasons in Detroit and played four of them alongside Steve Yzerman, spoke to Swedish outlet Expressen this week and didn’t hold back about how the organization handled Yzerman’s departure. Shawn Horcoff replaced Yzerman as general manager last July, and Yzerman is now a senior adviser to CEO Chris Ilitch. There was a sudden change, with little public reason. One of Detroit’s most respected former players has finally spoken out and directly challenged it.
Zetterberg: It Was Hard to See Yzerman Go
Zetterberg was specific. He got right to the point in an interview with Expressen that Detroit Hockey Now translated for readers in North America.
“I believed it was bad. The Red Wings’ current state has been awful. Things always occur, and there’s a distinction between what comes out and what doesn’t, but it’s sad. It was very difficult to see Steve resign,” Zetterberg said to Expressen.
