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Chris Ilitch says he shares Red Wings fans’ frustration after rocky start

Red Wings governor and CEO Chris Ilitch acknowledged fan frustration in a LinkedIn post after the team’s winless opening weekend and ‘sell the team’ chants.

Shaun
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Detroit Red Wings governor and CEO Chris Ilitch publicly acknowledged fans’ frustration with the team in a LinkedIn post on Monday, Oct. 5, after Detroit lost its first two games of the season amid chants of “sell the team” at Little Caesars Arena.

In the post, which reflected on opening night and the start of the franchise’s 101st season, Ilitch said he understands why fans are upset and shares that feeling. “I get it and certainly feel the same,” he wrote. He added that his focus remains on building a championship-level organization that the team’s fans deserve.

The backdrop

The post came at a low point for the franchise. Detroit opened with a 2-0 home loss to the New York Rangers on Oct. 2 and a 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 4, and fans chanted for the Ilitch family to sell the team at both games. The Red Wings missed the playoffs for a 10th straight season last spring, the longest active drought in the NHL.

The front office is also unsettled. Steve Yzerman stepped away from the general manager’s job, and Shawn Horcoff is serving as interim GM while the search for a permanent replacement continues. Former captain Dylan Larkin requested a trade in the offseason and was stripped of the captaincy in September, and he was booed during introductions at the home opener. Restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned, and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has reported that he would prefer a trade.

Reaction and what came next

The post drew a cool response from many fans online, Detroit Hockey Now reported, with critics arguing it offered acknowledgment but no specific plan. Ilitch oversees both the business and hockey sides of the Red Wings and is also chairman and CEO of the Detroit Tigers.

The day after the post, Detroit earned its first win of the season, beating Ottawa 5-3 on Tuesday behind a goal from Larkin in his season debut (read the recap). The Red Wings, now 1-2-0, host the Seattle Kraken on Friday.

Sources

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