COMMENTARY
By Bill Clement
NBC Sports


Although he is quite possibly playing the final season of his Hall of Fame career, Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings still has some magic left in his hockey stick. Not only is he a threat to help the team on the ice during the push for a 15th straight postseason berth; his leadership ability makes him an important cog in the dressing room too.

The Red Wings, who have won seven of their last 10 games heading into Saturday’s contest at Colorado (2 p.m. ET on NBC), are a team built to make a run at the Stanley Cup this season as it is a roster replete with capable goal scorers and strong veteran leadership. And when you consider that 10 other Detroit players have scored more points than the 40-year-old Yzerman — who ranks sixth on the NHL’s career scoring list — it is obvious that his role on one of the Western Conference’s top teams is an intangible one.

A proven playoff asset
I like Yzerman’s chances to score a big goal or two in the playoff spotlight. Why? Yzerman, who signed a one-year deal in August to return for his 22nd season with the Red Wings, clearly understands the game as one of the focal points on Detroit teams that won three Stanley Cups. What’s more, he holds franchise playoff records with 70 goals and 181 points.

He still has a knack for being in the right place at the right time on the ice in a clutch situation.

And he also is still capable of helping the Red Wings as a defensive forward, especially on face-offs in their own end.

A great example for young players
During the first half of Yzerman’s career, you would have been hard pressed to want him on the ice for defensive purposes. On the other end, however, Yzerman was obviously a huge asset as one of the top-10 offensive players ever.

But during the second half of his career, “Mr. Hockeytown” became an excellent defensive player. Frankly, he developed into one of the top-10 two-way forwards in the game’s history.

Yzerman essentially forced himself to change his mindset, and became a more self-disciplined player. What’s more, he learned that to excel on the defensive end of the ice, he had to be willing to sacrifice (at least some) scoring opportunities.

I never would have dreamed Yzerman would transform himself into such a complete player — and a true gladiator.

Age, injuries have taken a toll
But let’s face it, Yzerman, who has shown flashes of his old self, scoring three points in a recent five-game stretch after struggling with a nagging groin injury, simply is not the same player he was in his prime while leading the ’Wings to back-to-back Cup titles from 1996-98.

Keep in mind that Yzerman had surgery for a scratched cornea and multiple fractures below his left eye after he was hit with a deflected puck in a 2004 playoff game.

Two seasons earlier, Yzerman essentially played on one leg in the Red Wings’ run to their last Stanley Cup. He had knee realignment surgery on his right knee during the off-season to correct an acute arthritic condition normally found in geriatric patients, but made an unprecedented, remarkable return to the ice in February 2003 following months of grueling rehabilitation.

Role has changed
The Red Wings are getting contributions offensively from a host of players, including top scorer Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg (who scored two goals in a Feb. 2 win over St. Louis), and Brendan Shanahan (a wily veteran at 37), who leads the team with 24 goals.

Detroit also has the league’s top power-play unit, and during one stretch scored on the man advantage in 15 consecutive games.

Does it really need the Yzerman in his prime? No.

That said, he has taken on an important leadership role with the team. He is the Red Wings’ voice of reason, and has proven to be a solid liaison between the players and Mike Babcock, the first-year head coach. Remember, Yzerman is the longest-serving captain in league history, having first been awarded the “C” back in 1986.

Yzerman doesn’t speak a whole lot. But when he does, the Red Wings listen.

© 2006 NBC Sports