Chris Ilitch has heard the frustration from Detroit Red Wings fans.
The Red Wings entered the season already with the longest active playoff drought, but off-season turmoil on multiple fronts created plenty of noise as the team returned to the ice in September.
That turmoil included an unresolved trade request from former captain Dylan Larkin, a prolonged contract negotiation with top-pair defenceman Simon Edvinsson and Ilitch's decision to fire general manager Steve Yzerman in July. Yzerman's replacement has not been found and Shawn Horcoff was promoted to interim general manager in mid-September, tasked with trying to get the team back on track.
As a result, fans have been chanting "sell the team" at Little Caesars Arena and the pressure continues to rise as the team opened with a 1-3-2 record through the first six games.
"This is their team," Ilitch told reporters Thursday ahead of a game between the Red Wings and Flyers, according to The Detroit Free Press. "I understand fan frustration. I share it, to be frank. And my thoughts are that fans want to see our team win on the ice. I do, too.
"As the person that's accountable for this franchise, it's why I made the (general manager) change, and it's why I'm so deliberate in our search."
Larkin and Edvinsson's situations remain unresolved but Ilitch said finding the right person to lead hockey operations is more important than rushing the hire.
"I am seeking a president of hockey operations," Ilitch said. "I will leave it up to that individual once they're on board as to whether and when they would like to, if they'd like to, add a general manager and when they may like to do that.
"This search could end soon, during this season. It could be at the end of the season. I'll make the hire when I find the right person. It's just too important for this organization."
In the meantime, Ilitch said Horcoff has full authority to lead the hockey operations department as he sees fit. The owner added that he agrees with Horcoff's prior comments that "a rebuild is out of the question."
"I support Shawn in the work he's doing," Ilitch said. "He's doing a really nice job in his role. He's stepped right in. He's hit the ground running. A lot of these issues that he's dealing with were not new issues for him or the hockey operations team. And so he's doing a nice job. I support him in all regards. He's got my full confidence."
