Major development in Detroit Red Wings' three-time Stanley Cup Champions return to the organization
Photo credit: Detroit Jock City
Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman should call up his old teammate, Igor Larionov, a member of the famous "Russian Five" who propelled the team into an elite unit during the 90s, and offer him a job after being fired by Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.
While the
Detroit Red Wings haven't made an effort to bring home their old superstars from the 90s, they certainly have a chance now.
GM Steve Yzerman should pick up a phone and tap into his connection with former Red Wings teammate,
Igor Larionov.
Larionov had found success as a winger in the NHL, dubbed "The Professor" for his skills on the ice. He's put those skills into philosophies as he's been the Head Coach of the KHL's Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL, until his recent firing.
Not only would this breath new ideas into the organization, which at the moment seems stagnant, but it would usher in a new era of goodwill from fans who are unhappy, and a higher standard of coaching or scouting, whichever job Yzerman would offer Larionov.
It's difficult to imagine him being humble enough to accept a role as an assistant coach under Todd McLellan. The 64-year-old and his team, Torpedo, lost to Lokomotiv in the 1st-round of the Gagarin Cup playoffs.
Larionov has played 921 NHL Games during his career in the league and scored 644 points (169 goals, 475 assists).
He's won three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings during the 1996-97, 1997-98, and 2000-01 seasons.
Larionov is a proven winner and should be given a look when it comes to upgrading the team's front office immediately.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL |
AVRIL 5 | 170 ANSWERS Major development in Detroit Red Wings' three-time Stanley Cup Champions return to the organization Should GM Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings hire former Coach Igor Larionov of the KHL's Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod? |
| Yes | 114 | 67.1 % |
| No | 56 | 32.9 % |
| List of polls |