Steve Yzerman was working for a non-meddling owner widely regarded as one of the best in the NHL. He was managing a talented team that figures to be a Stanley Cup contender for several more years. He is making a decent salary and has not shown an inclination to jump from place to place, having been with two organizations in 35 years.

So, news today that he is stepping down as general manager surprised many around the league, including some in the front office of the Detroit Red Wings, the team Yzerman captained for two decades and cut his teeth with as a front-office executive.

Yzerman, during a news conference in Tampa, said he wants to spend more time with family, his wife and three daughters who have maintained a residence in Michigan. The grind of commuting back and forth to Florida for eight years apparently has taken its toll on Yzerman.

He has one year remaining on his Lightning contract and will serve as an advisor for the organization while assistant GM Julien BriseBois assumes the GM role.

But Yzerman is only 53, and after experiencing much success in Tampa Bay, is he done as a GM? The news won't end speculation that Yzerman might return to the Red Wings after next season, or in the near future, as the replacement for Ken Holland, who signed a two-year extension in April.

Yzerman said during the news conference that he doesn't know his future beyond this season.

Red Wings senior vice president Jimmy Devellano, the GM who drafted Yzerman with the fourth overall pick in 1983 and then watched him become a Hall-of-Famer and three-time Cup champion, said he was surprised to learn of the move Tuesday morning.

"I had no heads up," Devellano said. "I was told about it today."

Yzerman was hired by Lightning owner Jeff Vinik in 2010 and has had tremendous success building the team into a championship contender. He was named GM of the year in 2014-15, when Tampa Bay lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Cup finals.

Many Red Wings fans have been clamoring for the captain to return home.

"I know how the fans feel and I can understand their feelings," Devellano said. "They are questions we don't have answers for and don't have control over. What can I say, what can Kenny say? Other than (Yzerman) has done a heck of a job in Tampa and just as he was as a player he turned out to be a good GM."

Holland, 62, has no intention of stepping down and assuming another role in the organization. He is determined to see this rebuild through. If he's not given that opportunity following this season, or the year after, he'll likely seek a GM job elsewhere.

The timing of the decision, on the eve of training camps opening, was also surprising. If Yzerman were planning this move months in advance it seems more logical that he would have done it after the playoffs, before the draft and free agency.

Would Yzerman want the challenge of rebuilding the Red Wings, if offered the job? Detroit, unlike Tampa Bay, is destined to be near the bottom of the league for at least a few more years during this rebuild.

This much is certain -- the Yzerman-to-Detroit speculation is sure to continue if he doesn't sign an extension to remain with the Lightning in some capacity.