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.”
