Take 5: Yzerman would run Team Canada again
Written by on March 12th, 2010 in Latest News.
Steve Yzerman was the architect of the Canadian men’s hockey team that won an Olympic gold medal at Vancouver. (Marcio Sanchez/Associated Press)
1. Yzerman would run Team Canada again
Detroit Red Wings vice-president Steve Yzerman hasn’t had much time to delight in the Olympic gold medal that the Canadian men’s team won in Vancouver on Feb. 28. He was so worn out when he returned to Detroit that he was sick in bed for a few days.
“I’ve been laying low. There was a lot of anxiety over that two-week period,” he said with a smile.
Yzerman reflected on his Vancouver experience and his future with CBCSports.ca during the second intermission of the Red Wings-Minnesota Wild game at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday.
Does he want a redux as executive director of the 2014 Canadian men’s team?
“A lot can happen in four years,” he said. “Hockey Canada develops players, coaches and management people as well. They might want to give somebody else an opportunity. But it was a fantastic experience. I learned a lot. If I was given the opportunity, I want to do it again. It was quite a process. In some kind of masochistic way, I loved it.”
What is his gameplan in terms of becoming a general manager in the NHL?
“I don’t know if I have plot,” he said. “I like it here. I delight in working with [Red Wings GM] Ken Holland and [assistant GM] Jim Nill. I’m still learning the business. I’d like to run a team one day. But there is no timetable for that. If the right situation came up, it would be something I would consider.”
There has been speculation that Yzerman isn’t prepared to leave Detroit until his oldest daughter graduates from high school. Is that the case?
“It’s such an vital time in her life,” he said. “She’s in grade 10. She has three years to go, so it has to be a situation that fits my family as well. There are so many factors that will have to be considered. But I’m not arrogant enough to reckon to pick whatever job I want. Again, I don’t really have a plot. We’ll see what happens.”
2. Chelios return not excellent
One of Yzerman’s ancient teammates in Detroit, 48-year-ancient Chris Chelios, suited up for the Atlanta Thrashers in his first NHL game since appearing a playoff game for Detroit last May. It was not a excellent outing for the veteran as the Thrashers fell 2-1 to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
R.J. Umberger’s first-period goal occurred when his pass attempt banked off Chelios’ shin pad. Kristian Huselius’ game-winner in the second period was the result of Chelios getting caught on a pinch inside the Columbus blue-line.
3. Franzen a pure goal scorer
Since Johan Franzen ‘s coming out party in the Red Wings run to the 2007-08 Stanley Cup, in which the Swede scored 13 goals in 16 playoff games, all the 30-year-ancient has done is continue to score goals.
If you count that playoff run, Franzen has scored a remarkable 66 goals in his last 122 regular-season and post-season games combined after netting two more in Detroit’s 5-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.
4. Howard deserves Calder consideration
When the Red Wings chose to promote Jimmy Howard full-time to the NHL last fall after four seasons in the AHL, the expectations were he would play around 25 games behind Chris Osgood. But with the 37-year-ancient Osgood not able to find his game earlier this season, the 25-year-ancient Howard has made the most of his opportunity.
He won his 25th game in his 49th appearance when the Red Wings beat the Wild. His .924 save percentage is fifth in the league and his 2.35 goals-against average is seventh.
These stats, and his play to help the Red Wings get through a bunch of injuries earlier this year, has Holland opining that Howard has been the team’s MVP.
Holland also believes that Howard deserves consideration for the Calder Trophy along with Buffalo Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers and Colorado Avalanche centre Matt Duchene.
“He might have been our MVP,” Holland said. “He’s done everything. He’s in the Top 10 in save percentage and goals-against average and he’s a rookie at 25 years ancient. He’s been a huge tale for us.”
5. Kovalchuk trade not terrible for Atlanta
Thrashers general manager Don Waddell was trashed in most corners that he didn’t get enough for Ilya Kovalchuk when he shipped the talented Russian to the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 4.
But in the five weeks since Kovalchuk and defenceman Anssi Salmela were went in exchange for Niclas Bergfors, Johnny Oduya, Patrice Cormier, a first-round draft pick and a swap of second-round selections, the teams and players have similar outputs.
The Thrashers have gone 4-5-2 without Kovalchuk, while the Devils check in at 4-5-1 with Kovalchuk. Bergfors has scored six goals and eight points in 11 games and Oduya has a goal and five points. Kovalchuk has scored three times and has eight points in 10 games, while Salmela, who missed three games with a concussion, has a goal and three points in seven games.
The kicker for the Thrashers will be how Cormier turns out as a pro and what they can get with New Jersey’s first-round choice.
