There haven’t been many material updates, but Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman offered new insight into the hiring process of the next General Manager of the Detroit Red Wings. First, Friedman confirmed what was already believed to be true, that the Red Wings have hired a firm and are open to hiring a President of Hockey Operations and General Manager.

The two new insights highlighted by Friedman are that he believes Detroit will begin interviewing candidates this week, with a firm hiring choice made relatively shortly after. Additionally, although it was already reported that Jeff Greenberg, the current General Manager of the MLB’s Detroit Tigers, would have input on the Red Wings’ hiring process, Friedman also indicated that he would be considered a candidate himself.

Despite working in baseball for the last several years, Greenberg has already worked in the NHL, having served as the Associate General Manager of the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2022-23 season. He’s an analytical mind through and through, which is something that the ownership group led by Chris Illitch has considerably invested in for the Tigers in recent years.

Additional evening notes:

• In a recent interview with Max Miller of Sharks Hockey Digest, forward Collin Graf indicated that there were no long-term extension negotiations with the San Jose Sharks. Miller quoted Graf, saying, “There were no talks about going longer. I think three years was good. I’m happy with the three years,” Graf said. “I guess the Sharks, on their side, are the same. Three years just made sense for both of us.” It was likely intentional by the Sharks, as the three-year deal leaves Graf with one year of restricted free agency. A longer contract would have enabled him to reach unrestricted free agency, giving them less leverage in retaining him.
• According to a team announcement, the Calgary Wranglers, AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames, have signed forward Ryan Hofer to a one-year AHL deal for the 2026-27 season. Hofer, 24, has spent the last three years in the Washington Capitals organization, scoring four goals and nine points in 56 games for the AHL’s Hershey Bears.