Shawn has a tremendous work ethic and has done a great job developing the prospects within our organization, helping them prepare for the next steps in their careers. The relationships he’s formed within the organization – and throughout the hockey community – make him a valuable asset to our future both in Detroit and Grand Rapids, and I look forward to continue working alongside him.

Horcoff, 43, has been with the Red Wings since 2016 when his playing career ended, first as director of player development and then as assistant director of player personnel. A veteran of more than 1,000 NHL games during his time on the ice, he’s now worked his way up the Red Wings organization and will now receive a huge opportunity to fill Verbeek’s shoes.

With an interesting prospect path of his own, that included four years at Michigan State University, Horcoff has a ton of experience when it comes to the development of a young player that doesn’t arrive with much fanfare. Completely undrafted in his first year of eligibility, his strong sophomore season with the Spartans landed him a fourth-round selection and a way into professional hockey. By the time he was scoring 65 points as a senior it was obvious there was an NHL future, and a long career including a stint as captain of the Edmonton Oilers followed.

For the last several years in Detroit he’s been shepherding young prospects through the first part of their professional journey, but he’ll now be tasked with even more responsibility.

Restricted Free Agents

• Islanders GM Garth Snow and representatives for Ryan Strome continue to talk about a new deal. Newsday’s Arthur Staple reports that they are likely talking about a two year bridge contract.  Strome is coming off a down season as he recorded just 28 points (8-20-28) in 71 games, considerably lower than the 50 points (17-33-50) he put up in 81 games in 2014-15.
• Washington defenseman Dmitry Orlov has spoken with CSKA Moscow of the KHL, reports Igor Eronko of Sport-Express. However, he indicated that he is concentrating on securing an NHL deal.  Orlov had a career year with the Caps last season, notching 29 points (8-21-29) in 82 games.  He will suit up for Russia in next month’s World Cup of Hockey, even if a new deal hasn’t been reached by then.

Unrestricted Free Agents

• Defenseman Eric Gryba, who spent last season with Edmonton, has received training camp offers from three different teams so far, notes Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal. Gryba’s first choice is to remain with the Oilers but they have yet to offer him a contract.  He suited up in 53 games with Edmonton last year, picking up six points (1-5-6) while seeing greater than a two minute jump in his ice time per game compared to the year before (from 15:39 to 17:53).
• More from Matheson, center Shawn Horcoff has no interest in taking a tryout contract and is closer to retirement than continuing his playing career (Twitter links). Horcoff played in 59 games with the Ducks last year, tallying 15 points (6-9-15) but most notably was suspended for 20 games back in January after testing positive for a performance enhancing substance.
• Blueliner Matt Bartkowski is still holding out hope for a one-way contract, reports Sam Werner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Bartkowski told Warner that his agent has been in touch with “a ton” of teams but evidently nothing has materialized in terms of an offer just yet.  He played in a career high 80 games with Vancouver in 2015-16, collecting 18 points (6-12-18).