Yzerman "thrilled" about present, remains focused on future

by Matt Amos on May 11, 2011 6:17 PM EDT in Playoffs

GM Steve Yzerman (shown here during the recent General Managers meetings) looks at his teams success in 2010-11, but continues to look forward to the future. (photo by Meredith Qualls | Raw Charge)

The Lightning have been resting up, practicing, and preparing for the Eastern Conference Finals for a week now. They're in the midst of a seven game winning streak and are getting huge contributions from just about every player on the roster. This is only the second time in franchise history that the team has advanced this far in the playoffs, and many around the league consider them the most dangerous team left. Many more consider the Lightning to be the biggest shock of the entire playoffs this year.

Talking to Steve Yzerman, you'd never know either one.

At a time where it can be so easy to fall into the attractions of the now - advancing to the third round, surprising performances from free agent signings, the trade for Dwayne Roloson paying off huge dividends, his gamble for a head coach looking like the best hire in franchise history - Yzerman remains poised, modest, and mindful of the future.

When asked about his and Coach Guy Boucher's success this season, in both their first years on the job, and if it surprised him, Stevie had this to say:

Talking to him at the beginning of the season, his goal is to win the Stanley Cup. ‘I'll figure out a way.' He has big expectations for himself. We sat down at the beginning of the year and said ‘We want to be a playoff team.' Him and his entire staff, they work very hard. They spend hours preparing for every practice and they're very detail-oriented.

I'm not surprised he's successful. I'm going to look back three, four, five years from now and assess whether I think we as an organization have done a real good job. Obviously we're thrilled in year one to be where we are, but, again I want to look back in a few years and say we've done a real good job, our team is where we want it to be, our organization is where we want it to be. We're enjoying this, but we recognize we've got a lot of work to do.

With excitement abound about this playoff run and season as a whole, with his nomination as NHL General Manager of the year, and with comparisons being made from all directions to the Cup-winning machine in Detroit and the magical 2004 Lightning squad that won the Stanley Cup, Steve Yzerman's biggest concern is with how he'll feel about the organization a few years from now.

At this point, what else can you expect from him? It's what he always has, and always will expect of himself.

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I have to admit...

As a long time Tampa Bay Lightning fan, I’m pretty sure I could not be any happier with the way things have progressed since Jeff Vinik bought this team from [those that shall not be named]. He was the best thing to come along in quite some time.

Then he made it even better by hiring Steve Yzerman. Then Steve Yzerman made it even better by hiring Guy Boucher. And then Guy Boucher made it even better by… well, that’s the next question, isn’t it? It appears that the sky’s the limit for this team (figuratively speaking, of course).

I believe that this team is being built for the long haul and this year’s Cup run (no matter where it ends) has just been icing on the cake for Bolts fans. Yzerman has conducted his GM duties the same way he did his Captain duties with the Red Wings. Deliberately and after much thought. No knee jerk reactions from this guy. Every action will be well thought out and done with the greater good of the franchise in mind.

I eagerly look forward to the upcoming years with Vinik, Yzerman, Boucher, et.al. at the helm. Good stuff!

Trouble on the ice? Wait! Andre Roy could fix it!!

by Tina Robinson on May 11, 2011 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

Even as a "recent" fan

I’ve really only been emotionally invested in the Bolts since my arrival here in December of 2009—just before the fiasco/power play between [those that shall not be named].

I, too, have been impressed—not just with the resurgence of Our Team in the post-season, but also with the rejuvenation of the team chemistry both with the team, coaching staff, and the front office.

"They are uncanny. When they want to get a goal, it's like they just snap their fingers or hit a button. They just dial it up. You can see it. It's like they flip a switch. When they are down, it's just like they think, 'we know we are going to score.' I don't know what it is, it leaves you flabbergasted." - Mike Knuble, 3 May 2011

by MTBoltFan on May 11, 2011 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

It's been a rollercoaster but we're finally headed downhill

After years of small valleys and mostly big hills, we have everyone throughout ownership and the front office rowing in the same direction. I have to commend Stevie Y for assembling such a strong, cohesive group that complement each other in every way. It’s a far cry from the days when Adam Hall got banished to the minors for calling out our departed head coach. When reports are that Malone and Tocchet nearly came to blows. Professionals, working together, all striving for the ultimate prixe. I like our chances, this year and in the future.

Don in St Pete

by Don in St Pete on May 11, 2011 8:59 PM EDT reply actions