By Ted Kulfan / The Detroit News
DETROIT — Steve Yzerman won’t be playing in the World Cup, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be playing for the Red Wings in the future.
Wayne Gretzky, the executive director for Canada in the upcoming World Cup, announced Sunday that Yzerman would be replaced by Tampa Bay’s Vincent Lecavalier.
Yzerman suffered a serious left eye injury during Game 5 of the playoffs against Calgary. Yzerman, 39, had a fractured the orbital bone, a scratched cornea and blurred vision when a deflected puck struck his eye.
Given that training camp for the World Cup begins Aug. 20 and thew tournament starts Aug. 30, Yzerman hasn’t had enough time to heal from the injury.
“Steve has indicated that he will be unable to participate in the World Cup of Hockey this summer due to his injury situation and that he felt that he would not be ready to be at the level of conditioning required,” Gretzky said.
Yzerman was unavailable for comment Monday. His agent, Larry Kelly, didn’t return phone messages.
General Manager Ken Holland, traveling to western Canada on Monday, didn’t return phone calls. But Holland said last week, and at the entry draft in late June, he planned to talk to Yzerman soon regarding next season.
The Wings are confident Yzerman’s injuries will heal in time for the next NHL season, whenever it begins.
Yzerman said after the regular season he was planning on returning for what would be his 22nd season.
One hurdle could be the potential lockout, stemming from the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement Sept. 15.
Yzerman said a lockout lasting a half-season wouldn’t stop him from playing. But a lockout lasting the entire season would make it difficult to return for any older players, and could prevent him from returning.