Yzerman leaving as GM Lightning leads to more questions than answers



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The news has been lightning. Steve Yzerman resigned as General Manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Why? And why now?

Yzerman answered a few questions at a press conference on Tuesday when the Lightning announced he would be the senior advisor to the new managing director, Julien BriseBois. But he left a big hang.

And after?

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"We're going to play this year," Yzerman said. "And after that, I do not know."

The news is shocking for two reasons: Yzerman has unfinished business in Tampa Bay, and the Lightning has the ability to finish it.

Since Yzerman became GM in 2010, the Lightning has won the Eastern Conference finals four times, including three times in the past four years. Whenever they lost, they lost in a match 7. They made the Stanley Cup final in 2015.

"I am proud of what we have been able to build," Yzerman said. "I am disappointed that I have not won a Stanley Cup yet."

The Lightning are among the favorites this season and are in a position to compete for years. They can win it. And Yzerman, Kid Rock competitor sang "for the purpose of winning", gives up GM's job?

If he wants to become GM again, where else will he have a better chance of winning the Cup? Would he really prefer to start over with a rebuild?

But Yzerman's home is Detroit. He spent his entire career playing in the 22 years of the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings and another four years at the front office. When he took over the Lightning, his family stayed behind.

"I have traveled a lot and it has worked," Yzerman said. "I think I have been able to do the job, to be where I have to be [for the Lightning] as well as being where I have to be for my wife and my daughters.

Video: Yzerman resigns as GM from lightning

"At this point, I have to make a decision again.At some point, it's either signing another contract to be the general manager, either staying as a general manager or not, and with a little bit of time. to think, to do the job The way it should be done, the way I think it needs to be done, and ultimately being with my family, it becomes difficult to do.

"And so the decision."

Yzerman, who had another season on his contract, said he made the decision in July before talking with owner Jeff Vinik about an extension. It took time to adjust the details. The Lightning wanted to make an announcement before the start of training camp on Thursday to avoid distractions and focus on the season.

The best thing for the Lightning would have been for Yzerman to sign an extension, but that's the best thing. If Yzerman is not engaged in the long run and then promotes BriseBois, the GM assistant is widely regarded as a leading candidate, with Yzerman still being there to ease the transition.

"He is more than ready and deserves this opportunity," Yzerman said.

BriseBois said that he and Yzerman had discussed a long-term role as a senior advisor, but Yzerman would not engage in it either.

"He wants to try it for the year," said BriseBois. "I would love that it stays beyond a season.At the end of the year, we will sit down and if he liked his new role, I would obviously more than happy he stayed with us. " . "

The obvious speculation is that Yzerman will return to the Red Wings, even if he would be a prime candidate for any opening. He would be at home with his family. He would have become a legend, winning the Cup three times as a player and once as a leader. He would be where he is loved.

At the ceremony that followed the last game at Joe Louis Arena on April 9, 2017 – the Red Wings having missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 1989-90, the seventh season of Yzerman in Detroit – fans sang:, Stevie! "

We will see.

Red Wings President Chris Ilitch, son of the late Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch, declined to comment in Detroit on Tuesday because Yzerman was still under contract with the Lightning.

Red Wings GM Ken Holland extended his two-year contract on April 7. Ilitch then praised Holland: "He has my support and that of our owner, Marian Ilitch. . "

At the same time, Yzerman is committed to 100% in this role this season. The Lightning always have the same people, the same plan, the same expectations. BriseBois said he was confident that the Lightning could hoist the Cup.

"Everyone is here to win it," said BriseBois.

As you know who.

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