Good Luck, Stevie Y
Nearly 27 years (to the day) after joining the Red Wings, he’s waving goodbye. The best leader in the history of sports saw an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
Steve Yzerman – the first draft pick made by then-new owners Mike and Marian Ilitch – will be announced as the new general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning this afternoon.
Following his success with Team Canada in the Olympics and – well – everywhere else before that, there’s little doubt that Yzerman can succeed in Tampa. It may not be quick, and they’re still embroiled in a messy ownership debacle, courtesy of Saw guy and hardly-was NHLer. But, rest assured, like he always did on terrible Red Wings teams, Steve Yzerman will find a way to make the most of it.
Every last one of us should be thankful for his time with the organization and wish him nothing but the best of luck. He’s made no secret about the fact that he wanted to run a team, and he wasn’t going to get his chance in Detroit — not soon, anyway. Ken Holland is the best there ever was, and Jim Nill is no slouch either. An embarrassment of riches in Detroit gets a tiny bit lighter today, but we can all look to the Lightning as an extension of the Red Wings now because there’s nothing that means more to the team, its fans, and the city as Steve Yzerman has since June 8, 1983.
Good luck, Captain. If ever there was a reason to root for another team – particularly one in the other conference – this is it. From now until he moves on, if the Red Wings can’t win the Cup every year, I want it to be Tampa Bay.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
Perfectly said. I think Tampa just became Hockeytown South.
Perfectly said. I think Tampa just became Hockeytown South.
@Graham – COIN THAT: HTS …a new entrant to the TPL lexcon
@Graham – COIN THAT: HTS …a new entrant to the TPL lexcon
Good Luck, Captain!!!! You ALWAYS have a home here in Hockeytown! When the time is right, we'll take you back as fast as a slapshot!
Good Luck, Captain!!!! You ALWAYS have a home here in Hockeytown! When the time is right, we'll take you back as fast as a slapshot!
Nooo!!!! They can't have him, he's ours! Crap, this sucks. I do wish Stevie the best but I won't root for TB. I don't *hate* them though, that's something isn't it? Seriously, I find this very depressing. I mean, I understand why, I just don't like it. Sniff…
Nooo!!!! They can't have him, he's ours! Crap, this sucks. I do wish Stevie the best but I won't root for TB. I don't *hate* them though, that's something isn't it? Seriously, I find this very depressing. I mean, I understand why, I just don't like it. Sniff…
I live in Orlando and I've never had a real reason to like the Lightning. Not that I want one, but if Stevie Y wants to run a team, at least it's in the Eastern Conference and not a huge Wings rival. That said, I'll wish him all the best after I throw a huge tantrum and cry myself to sleep.
I live in Orlando and I've never had a real reason to like the Lightning. Not that I want one, but if Stevie Y wants to run a team, at least it's in the Eastern Conference and not a huge Wings rival. That said, I'll wish him all the best after I throw a huge tantrum and cry myself to sleep.
Received from Stevie Y this evening: Michael; Thank you for your kind words. I will forever be grateful to you and all the fans who have supported me through the years. I remember meeting you years ago. Two things stand out in my mind from that night: the look of absolute terror on your face as I signed your jersey and the really cool sweater you wore that night! Today is a special day; today is also a sad day. I grew up in Detroit and went on to raise two very important things: a family and Lord Stanley's Cup. My sincere thanks for the love you have shown me!!
Received from Stevie Y this evening:
Michael; Thank you for your kind words. I will forever be grateful to you and all the fans who have supported me through the years. I remember meeting you years ago. Two things stand out in my mind from that night: the look of absolute terror on your face as I signed your jersey and the really cool sweater you wore that night! Today is a special day; today is also a sad day. I grew up in Detroit and went on to raise two very important things: a family and Lord Stanley's Cup. My sincere thanks for the love you have shown me!!
I feel like I might be the only Red Wings fan who hasn't shed a single tear. After Canada won gold in the Olympics, I figured there was an excellent chance Yzerman would be gone this offseason if there was an opening that he could be talked into accepting.I'm glad he's landed the GM position that he wanted, thrilled it's in the other conference and with a team that I kind of like, and ecstatic that everyone is spared another year or two of "when will Stevie leave and where will he go?" questions. Those were getting incessant and tiring.He was bound to leave sooner or later. I'm glad he's found an owner that seems committed to giving him the resources and time to be successful and to do the job the way he wants to do it. It was time for him to move on, with nothing but wonderful memories and good feelings on both sides. 🙂
I feel like I might be the only Red Wings fan who hasn't shed a single tear. After Canada won gold in the Olympics, I figured there was an excellent chance Yzerman would be gone this offseason if there was an opening that he could be talked into accepting.
I'm glad he's landed the GM position that he wanted, thrilled it's in the other conference and with a team that I kind of like, and ecstatic that everyone is spared another year or two of "when will Stevie leave and where will he go?" questions. Those were getting incessant and tiring.
He was bound to leave sooner or later. I'm glad he's found an owner that seems committed to giving him the resources and time to be successful and to do the job the way he wants to do it.
It was time for him to move on, with nothing but wonderful memories and good feelings on both sides. 🙂