Yzerman sets a new goal -- 20 years

September 18, 1998

BY JASON LA CANFORA

Free Press Sports Writer

TRAVERSE CITY -- Steve Yzerman, the longest-serving captain in NHL history, wants to finish his career with 20 seasons in a Red Wings uniform.

If he does, he would play five more seasons.

Within 12 months, Yzerman will meet with general manager Ken Holland to discuss how to finish his career in Detroit. Negotiations on a three-year contract extension likely will begin by next summer. Yzerman has two years remaining on his current deal worth about $5 million a season.

"Twenty seasons would be a good number, and hopefully I can reach that, and it's going to be five more effective years," said Yzerman, 33. "If they're not effective years, then it won't be 20 years. For now, that's what I'd like to set my sights on.

"I've been very fortunate that it's worked out this well in Detroit and our team has been very strong the last couple of years. Hopefully, we'll continue to do that, and I'll be here until I retire."

Yzerman has played longer in Detroit than any Red Wing other than Gordie Howe (25 years) and Alex Delvecchio (24). Only Boston's Ray Bourque (19 years) has a longer current tenure with a team.

Yzerman, the Wings' first draft pick in 1983, has grown up with the organization, suffered through lean years and playoff failures, adapted his game to fit coach Scotty Bowman's defensive nature, battled personal and team criticism, and emerged as an unprecedented leader and Conn Smythe winner as playoff MVP.

The Red Wings think Yzerman has at least five more good seasons in him. He and Holland talk frequently about various issues pertaining to the team, including Yzerman's career plans.

He will move into a front office position upon retirement, if he still wishes to do so, and could remain in the organization well after his playing days are complete.

Certainly, if Steve wants to play 20 years, we want him to play 20 years," Holland said. "The longer Steve can be in our lineup, the better it is for me and for our hockey club. He's a terrific player, and the leader of our hockey club in spirit, determination and desire.

"Sometime in the next 12 months, sooner or later, I'll get together with Steve and (agent) Larry Kelly, and we'll start talking about where it goes contract-wise."

Yzerman's career has mirrored the Wings' rise.

He was one of the world's most explosive scorers early in his career, regularly shattering 50 goals and 100 points on teams that never reached the Stanley Cup finals.

Once Bowman arrived, Yzerman was asked to sacrifice his individual production, and he complied. He now is celebrated as one of the top defensive forwards in the world, a complete player.

"He's enjoying himself a lot more now, on and off the ice, in everything he does," said teammate Joey Kocur. "He used to be a really tight, tense person on the ice and around the rink. Now he's joking around a lot. I just see a lot more fun in him right now."

Last season, no one was better than Yzerman from the end of the Olympics until he hoisted the Stanley Cup. He scored 11 goals and 26 points in his last 20 games after the Olympics (a 105-point pace), then led the NHL and tied franchise records with 24 points and 18 assists in the playoffs.

Yzerman will retire as one of the best players ever. He's already second in franchise history to Howe with 563 goals, 846 assists and 1,409 points.

The five-time All-Star rarely acknowledges his accomplishments or place in the game. That doesn't mean such things don't matter.

"I think it's important to Steve that he gets his points, because he's not going to want to be known as somebody who didn't earn his money," Kocur said. "When you get paid the money he gets paid, you do have to put up some numbers. Winning is the most important thing, but there's also self-pride, and he's got a lot of it."