On Tuesday, the NHL world was shocked to learn that Steve Yzerman had resigned as GM of the Tampa Bay Lighting. Yzerman will not be leaving the organization, instead, staying on in an advisory role, and Julien Brisebois will be named the team's new general manager, effective immediately.

The news coming out of the blue and the team a contender for a Stanley Cup this season, it's difficult to understand why Yzerman would have stepped aside. But, if one looks closer, there may be some possible explanations for his decision.

A man who has been one of the more successful GM's in hockey over the past few years, the job came with challenges. His role in Tampa was also his second choice. If we logically consider those things, among others as factors, perhaps there is a hint of two as to what might be next.

The Stress of the Job

via sportsnet

Steve Yzerman has already publicly discussed the fact that his role as GM of the Lightning has been taxing. So much so, he said his win with Hockey Canada wasn't one he had the time to enjoy. Moving into an advisory role will give him a better work/life balance that will allow him to stay inside the game he loves but step away from the day-to-day operations of being an acting general manager.

John Shannon has reported that Yzerman did, in fact, have a contract extension he was happy with...but he couldn't commit to something that was so all-encompassing, at this stage in his life.

Like anything, the moment you stop enjoying it, it's time to walk away.

Didn't Win The Big One

It would seem odd to imagine it but perhaps the fact Yzerman didn't win the Stanley Cup when the window was most open with the organization has something to do with his decision. A team that has strong players and was looking at likely its best shot last season, the salary cap of the team is potentially a situation that may handcuff the organization over the next few years.

Tampa is a strong contender this season and Yzerman doesn't seem to be the type of player to walk away from a challenge so, this theory is a stretch. So too, he's proven himself capable of managing every aspect of the team, but not winning is always a reason to make a big decision and not a factor one can completely ignore.

RELATED: STEVE YZERMAN SHOCKINGLY STEPS DOWN AS LIGHTNING GM AS TEAM IS CONSIDERED A CUP FAVORITE

Something Bigger

If this decision isn't health or stress related, perhaps there is something bigger in store for Yzerman that the public doesn't yet know about. Is it a bigger role in the Lightning organization? Perhaps it's something with another team?

Rumors immediately began to swirl that Yzerman would be looking at going back to Detroit where he initially wanted the job as GM. Because Ken Holland had just signed an extension, at that time, there was nothing for Yzerman. He moved to Tampa to take on a new challenge. With Holland only having two years left on his current deal, could Yzerman be making a move back to Detroit, eventually replacing Holland as general manager?

Some would argue it would seem odd that Yzerman would leave a successful franchise like Tampa to join a struggling and rebuilding one like Detroit, but Yzerman still has a home in Detroit and could have a desire to return.

Yzerman has proven his skill at taking a team to bigger and better things. While he hasn't won the Cup in Tampa, he has built a roster that is continually competitive and grabbed some key players in the NHL Draft, while convincing others to take team-friendly contracts to stay. This is the type of GM Detroit could badly use and while Tampa was rumored to have offered a two-year deal, one would have to assume any offer in Detroit would be for much longer and for much more money.

Whatever Yzerman decides to do next, expect rumors to Detroit to run rampant. He'll have to come out and publicly declare his intention not to join the Red Wings before people assume that isn't where he'll end up.

NEXT: EUGENE MELNYK LAYS OUT SURPRISING FUTURE FOR SENATORS AS TEAM FALLS APART