Martin Leaves Red Wings For Rangers

Another long-standing member of the Detroit Red Wings has left the organization. The New York Post is reporting that assistant general manager Ryan Martin is joining the New York Rangers.

The Rangers hired Ryan Martin to serve as assistant GM and GM of the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack. It’s similar to the role he’d been filling in Detroit. It’s also a homecoming for Martin. He’s originally from Connecticut.

Martin joined the Red Wings in 2005 to serve as a capologist when the NHL implemented the salary cap. A lawyer by trade, he worked in the areas of salary cap managment, collective bargaining agreement compliance, player contract research and analysis and salary arbitration preparation and contract negotiations, strategic planning and player evaluations at both the professional and amateur levels.

Rangers have hired Ryan Martin as assistant GM and GM of Wolf Pack, Post has learned. Had been longtime member of Red Wings organization, worked with Team USA.

— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) August 13, 2021

Interestingly, when current Wings GM Steve Yzerman departed from his original front office role with the Wings in 2010 to become GM of Tampa Bay Lightning, he offered Martin the assistant GM’s role. After considering the opportunity for a couple of weeks, Martin opted to turn Yzerman down and remain with the Red Wings. The Wings elevated Martin to the assistant GM’s role 10 years ago.

Operated Red Wings Farm System

Three years later, Jim Nill left his position as assistant GM of the Wings to take over as GM of the Dallas Stars. Martin assumed Nill’s responsbiity for overseeing Detroit’s farm system. He spent the past six seasons serving as general manager of the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. The Griffins captured two Calder Cup championships under his watch (2013 and 2017). He oversaw all aspects of hockey operations for the Griffins, including player personnel decisions, player development, contract negotiations and player movement.

Martin has also worked extensively since 2013 with USA Hockey. He’s been in charge of player personnel with the US world junior program. During his time with the squad, the US team has enjoyed unprecedented success on the world stage. The country has won three gold medals (2013, 2017, 2021). The USA aso won medals in in four straight world junior tournaments for the first time. There was a silver medal in 2019 and a pair of bronze medals in 2016 and 2018. Those went in combination with the 2017 gold medal.

When Yzerman became GM of the Wings in 2019, he brought former Detroit forward Pat Verbeek along from Tampa Bay. That move gave the Wings two assistant GMs. It’s uncertain whether Verbeek will step in to fill Martin’s roles with the club, or if Yzerman will hire a replacement.