A relatively wild week for this time of pre-season in the Atlantic continued today as news broke that Tampa Bay Lightning General Manager and Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman was stepping down from that role.

BREAKING: Steve Yzerman told #TBLightning players in a meeting today he’s stepping aside as GM to be in advisory role, per source. BriseBois taking over as GM.

— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) September 11, 2018

This news will be certain to lead to fans connecting pictures of bulletin boards with red string, but this could be a precursor to a Detroit return for its former captain.

Of course, as Craig Custance points out, there are still some obstacles to this prediction coming true.

For those speculating about Detroit, here's what we know:
- Holland signed 2-year extension with the Red Wings in April
- per @JoeSmithTB, Yzerman has one year left on his deal w/TB
- There's an internal appetite to sort out future roles for current Detroit management group

— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) September 11, 2018

Before people fire up the speculation-a-tron, there are other potential reasons for this move.  Of course, the best possible reason would be that it’s the first step to completing the “Hero Returns Home, Having Changed” portion of his hero’s journey.

Right now we don’t have too much to go on, but Helene gives us some interesting phrasing to chew on:

Pertaining to @JoeSmithTB report of Steve Yzerman stepping down as GM in Tampa Bay, source tells Free Press Yzerman told Lightning players he was going home to Detroit. Has maintained area home while GM of Tampa Bay Lightning.

— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) September 11, 2018

“Going home to Detroit.” I only know one way that could be taken. Shhhh, put your hand down. ONE WAY.

I never thought I would say this, but this might actually happen.