My only comment on the Flames' defeat last night was that they deserved it and that they'll be back in form come Wednesday for Game 7. My only comment about the Oilers' victory was that they deserved it, at least when it counted, and that I hate that goddamn team.
Today, I want to shed some focus towards one of the greatest players to ever grace the ice in a professional level who played in his final game at Edmonton's Rexall Place last night.
Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings personified, was drafted by the then-woeful organization in 1983, three years after long-time Motown legend Gordie Howe retired from the game. Coincidently, the Class of '83 was three years after the Miracle on Ice, and the first round selections reflect this. Three out of the top-five 18-year-olds selected were American: Brian Lawton, #1 to Minnesota; Pat LaFontaine, #3 to the Isles (a Michigan native sought initially by Wings owner Mike Ilitch), and; Tom Barrasso, #5 to Buffalo. Other draftees during the first round include John MacLean (#6 to New Jersey), Dave Gagner (#12 to the Rangers), Cam Neely (#9 to the Canucks), and Sylvain Turgeon (#2 to the Whale). However, with the exception of Dominik Hasek (#199 to Chicago), not one of these terrific cohorts of '83 could match the sheer brilliance of the #4 pick overall throughout their careers.
Yzerman went on to finish second in rookie-of-the-year voting, losing the Calder Trophy to Tom Barrasso but establishing himself among the vanguard of the emerging high-flying NHL being ushered out of Edmonton. He was as flashy as Denis Savard, elegant as Jean Beliveau, and in possession of a stare comparible only to the Rocket himself. He thrilled fans across the league with his smooth skating style and uncanny ability to react to defenders less fleet of foot.
Yzerman's play did not go unnoticed. He was selected to the 1984 Canada Cup team, though his time was limited due to tonsilitis, and established himself as a dedicated Canadian sportsman with the first of three appearances at the World Championships in 1985. Most notably, Yzerman was made captain of his team shortly after his 21st birthday -- making him, at the time, the youngest captain in the history of the NHL -- and holds that position to this day. To put it in perspective, Steve Yzerman has lived his life as captain of the Wings longer than he has not.
Numbers-wise, Yzerman's career peaked in the extraordinary 1988-89 NHL season. It was Wayne Gretzky's first year with Los Angeles, taking the Kings from zeroes to heroes almost instantaneously, and Mario Lemiuex scored an outstanding 199 points with the Pittsburg Penguins. Yet, it was Yzerman who was selected by his peers to win the Lester B Pearson Trophy as player of the year. He sniped 65 goals and helped on 90 others with a team whose only other notables included enforcer Bob Probert and PEI's favorite son Gerard Gallant. The stunts he pulled on the ice that season are that of NHL legend. Little Stevie Y had become a superstar.
The next thing on his list was a championship. Following years of mediocrity as part of the lowly (Chuck) Norris Division, the Red Wings began to establish a core of young, dynamic prospects. Chief among these was a Soviet-era hotshot by the name of Sergei Fedorov, who was climbing swiftly up the depth chart at centre with his speed and strong defensive play. Yzerman was still the leader of the team, but with the emergence of Federov, the Red Wing captain discovered himself suddenly to be trade bait.
Fans in Detroit, hungry for a title since Mr Hockey patrolled the right wing in the '50s, began to call for the trade of Yzerman in exchange for that one missing piece of the Red Wing championship puzzle. The Stanley Cup had eluded the now-powerhouse franchise which had been compiling laudable accomplishments in the the regular season but next to nothing post. In the end, there were no deals which could make the still-viable Yzerman -- who was turning himself into a noted two-way specialist himself -- expendable.
The trade rumours were swept aside eventually as the Wings nabbed themselves a Stanley Cup in 1997 and once again in 1998, where Stevie Y was awarded a well-deserved Conn Smyth trophy for his exceptional play. The Yzerman-led Wings would go on to win one more Cup in 2002, ensuring a place in the Hall of Fame for the Cranbrook, B.C.-born hockey star.
Though his youthful looks have never abated, time and injuries have caught up to the man who was arguably the most exciting player in the fastest team sport in the world. In particular, problems with his knees have plagued him more than most. He won an Olympic gold medal and a Stanley Cup in 2002 with his knee hanging by a thread, and he has had questions regarding his health ever since.
A testament to his grit, then, was how Yzerman once again became the undisputed leader of his team during the waning days of the 2005-06 regular season and was perhaps the only effective force during their recent first-round defeat by the Oilers. He blocked shots, took faceoffs and contributed to scoring opportunities, once again making a statement as to what qualties in a player separate who is merely great and who belongs in the Hall.
It takes an exceptional individual to play hockey Steve Yzerman's age, especially at the forward position. Still, he isn't much younger than when Gordie Howe first retired from the Wings back in the early '70s. Also, unlike Al MacInnis, Yzerman was able to not retire as a result of a devastating eye injury and has proved he could go out on his own terms. The question is, Why would he continue to subject himself to a gruelling 82-game season just for a chance to play 20+ more in the ultra-intense NHL playoffs? How much more can he take?
True, Howe made a comeback and played until he was 52 but by then he was a bit of a relic, where opponents stayed away more out of respect than fear. Yzerman seems to have more sense than that. He knows his team isn't getting any younger and there are prospects who need the ice time up in the bigs. He has proven he is willing to make sacrifices for Mike Ilitch and his team. Is one more too much to ask at this juncture?
As much as I would enjoy seeing the man do a victory lap throughout next season, I would also like to remember him as he was in his prime. The guy could skate through any defense thrown his way. He could take a hit as well as he would give it. He held an audience captive, game in and game out. There will never be another like Yzerman.
Hang 'em up, Stevie Y. You've earned it.
