The Oakland Press article
May 8, 2004
by Paula Pasche
While Steve Yzerman is dealing with a smashed cheekbone and a torn iris in his left eye, the Red Wings captain has a vision for the future.
First of all, he’s not done playing hockey.
“At this stage, I would say I’d like to play again. There’s just a lot of uncertainty,” Yzerman said following the team-photo session Friday. “There’s going to be changes with our team. I don’t know what’s going to happen with the CBA (collective bargaining agreement). That might be the biggest issue, not just myself but with others.”
The collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the players’ association expires Sept. 15, and a lockout could mean the end of careers, especially for veteran players.
Yzerman doesn’t rule out that scenario. If the lockout goes longer than a year, he might never play again.
“It doesn’t help you, at 39, to take a whole year off and not do anything,” he said. “Assuming you take really good care of yourself, you can miss a year and play. Beyond a year, it’s time to look to do something else.”
MLive.com article
May 3, 2004
by Ansar Khan
After undergoing 4 1/2 hours of surgery Saturday night to repair multiple fractures to his orbital bone, Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman, who also suffered a scratched cornea during Saturday’s playoff game against Calgary, asked if he could join the team Sunday for its flight to Calgary.
The answer, obviously, was no. But the gesture was inspiring.
“That goes to show you what he’s all about,” teammate Darren McCarty said.
The Wings said Yzerman will be out indefinitely — it’s hard to imagine any scenario in which he could return in these playoffs — but the good news is he is expected to make a full recovery.
