Kris Draper retired following the 2010-11 season, his legacy as a player in Detroit secure after winning four Stanley Cups and as part of one of the most beloved lines in Red Wings history.



Now, five years into his career as a Red Wings executive, he chatted this week with The Athletic’s Craig Custance about carving a new role as a member of the team’s front office.



Custance: Okay, so I should know this but, what’s your title in the front office before we get too far here?



Draper: Assistant to the general manager.



CC: Assistant to the general manager.



KD: Yeah.



CC: So how does that distinct itself from what [assistant GM] Ryan Martin is doing?



KD: He’s assistant GM and also the general manager of the Grand Rapids Griffins… it’s nice to say the Calder Cup champion Grand Rapids Griffins. On a day-to-day basis, myself, [GM] Ken [Holland] and Ryan could be in Ryan’s office talking...