YZERMAN ENVISIONS 20 YEARS, MORE CUPS

Author: Nicholas J. Cotsonika, Knight Ridder Newspapers

Dateline: DETROIT

Article Text:

Sorry, Red Wings fans. Steve Yzerman won't be around forever.

"I hope to play 20 years, and that would take me three more after this," Yzerman said this week, reflecting on his 17-season career during a conference call with NHL reporters. "Whether I play 19 or 20 or 21 or 22, I'm not sure, but I tried to set a goal of 20."

If that sounds like bad news, don't fret. At 34, Yzerman might be starting to age as an athlete. But he's in the right situation, and he still has the hunger of a much younger man.

"I have looked ahead a little bit, realizing that I only have maybe three or four more years to go, and I'd like to try and get as much done or accomplish as much as I can in the remaining years that I have," Yzerman said.

"After having won the Stanley Cup, I'd like the opportunity to do it again, and I don't want to squander any opportunities to do that."

Yzerman has a few things in his favor: his teammates and his resume. Surrounded by veterans, already in possession of two Cups, the pressure of being the Captain doesn't wear on Yzerman as it might in another city.

"To find out we were able to win a couple of Stanley Cups, it makes it a lot easier to play right now, because we have answered a lot of questions," Yzerman said. "Now we kind of just go out and play and enjoy playing. ...

"I don't really say much of anything. We don't have a whole lot of team meetings. The majority of the guys are very conscientious about their conditioning, their work habits. They know when to back off and when to go harder. The guys are generally very motivated.

"We have a lot of strong people with good character, strong personalities and strong people in the room. So my role isn't that great, really, as the captain of the team."