Regaining form not quick for Yzerman

Associated Press

DETROIT -- Steve Yzerman is back with the Detroit Red Wings, just not at full strength.

The Red Wings captain isn't racing down the ice and making seemingly effortless plays like he's used to.

Of course, that's understandable because he's played in just one game since having knee surgery on Oct. 16.

Yzerman was happy to return to the lineup Saturday at Tampa Bay, but he wasn't thrilled with how he played.

"Just carrying the puck was a bit of a challenge," the 10-time All-Star said. "I felt like everybody was blowing right by me. I'm going to just kind of play and hopefully my execution will get better.

"Most players will say when things are going well, they're not thinking, they're just playing. Right now, when I take a pass, I'm worried about cradling it well and making a pass and thinking about all different things. Hopefully, it becomes more natural again."

Yzerman, who is playing in his 18th season, will get another chance to regain his old form Wednesday at home against Toronto.

"His presence and experience alone means a lot to us," right wing Kirk Maltby said. "It's going to take awhile for him to get to the level he's used to playing at. But we're glad to have him back."

Yzerman feels like he's back in training camp while his teammates and opponents are in midseason form.

"A few games, probably a half-dozen games or a couple of weeks," said Yzerman, of how long it will take him to return to normal. "After just playing in one game, I felt a lot more comfortable."

Yzerman has a new, red piece of equipment to go along with the rest of his hockey garb. It's a brace to support his left knee.

"I'm just giving it a try," he said. "I don't have to wear it at all. If it's something I can wear, I'll stick with it. If it's awkward or if it's becoming too cumbersome, I won't wear it."

Yzerman missed the first two games of the season with a different injury to his left knee. He returned for the next two before he and the team's medical staff decided surgery was necessary to repair torn cartilage in the same knee.

"It was actually two different injuries," Yzerman said. "This problem was there, but the reason I sat out the first couple of games was because I sprained my MCL (medial collateral ligament). It's not related to the cartilage problem I had."

Detroit coach Scotty Bowman said the timing of Yzerman's return will be helpful for his comeback.

"This is a good week for him because we only play two games, and we'll be able to have some good practices," Bowman said. "Then the next two weeks, we play four games (each week). That will be a big key."