The Detroit News had a great roundtable discussion with the big names in the Detroit Red Wings management including the team owner, GM, assistant GM, and VP. One of the many topics discussed was Yzerman.
News: How close was Steve Yzerman to being traded?
Devellano: There were talks. Steve Yzerman knows that. I’ve told him that. But as I told Stevie, even while it was going on, ‘Look, Steve, if you’re going to be dealt to Ottawa, we have to get something real good now to replace you and a whole lot more for the future.’ Ottawa couldn’t deliver on it. I don’t even think they could pay the contract, could they, Scotty?
Bowman: No, I don’t think so. I remember Jimmy saying, ‘You’re just spinning your wheels, because Mike Ilitch would never trade Steve Yzerman.’ And I remember Mike coming to me after my first year here — because Steve got injured that year — and saying, ‘You haven’t even seen what this guy can do.’
News: Did it ever come to your desk, Mr. Ilitch?
Ilitch: No, and I didn’t want it to come. (Laughter.) I’d heard the rumblings, but…
On his role in management after retiring as a player:
News: Touch on Steve (Yzerman) for a second. What’s his role going forward? Is it still being defined?
Devellano: Steve and I and Mr. Ilitch used to have these talks, so when we finally sat down to try to figure out just how we could utilize a guy like Steve, the more we talked, the more we felt like, you know what, let’s utilize him in every area that he would like to be involved in. Whether it be scouting, whether it be helping in Grand Rapids with the young players, whether it be marketing, maybe helping Mike Babcock with a certain problem player, or working with Kenny and Jimmy Nill on contracts.
We told Steve he can be as involved in every area of the franchise as he wants to be, and he can put in as much time as he feels he wants to. It’s kind of evolving.
Holland: For Steve, it’s how much time you can commit, because there’s a lot of down time, when not much is going on. But you need to be there every day, just to talk about things. Certainly, Steve can be right beside me.
Ilitch: He’s happy, though. He loves it. And he could end up being an owner, too, one day. He might be part of a group one day, who knows?
News: It seems you’ve always got room for another brain in the braintrust.
Devellano: Absolutely. And you know, it’s a little bit like what I’ve said about Scotty Bowman. Steve’s presence means so much, his presence to the fans, to the players, to the coaching staff, to us. Just like Scotty, I think his presence just elevates our organization, I really do.
Ilitch: Because he cares so much.
Holland: He’s a Red Wing. He can be as involved as he wants to be.
Comments
[…] Was Yzerman almost traded? Filed Under (My Favorites, Management) by Christy Hammond The Detroit News had a great roundtable discussion with the big names in the Detroit Red Wings management including the team owner, GM, assistant GM, and VP. One of the many topics discussed was Yzerman.News: How close was Steve Yzerman to being traded? Devellano: There were talks. Steve Yzerman knows that. I?ve told him that. But as I told Stevie, even while it was going on, ?Look, Steve, if you?re going to be dealt to Ottawa, we have to get something real good now to replace you and a whole lot more for the future.? Ottawa couldn?t deliver on it. I don?t even think they could pay the contract, could they, Scotty? Bowman: No, I don?t think so. I remember Jimmy saying, ?You?re just spinning your wheels, because Mike Ilitch would never trade Steve Yzerman.? And I remember Mike coming to me after my first year here ? because Steve got injured that year ? and saying, ?You haven?t even seen what this guy can do.? News: Did it ever come to your desk, Mr. Ilitch? Ilitch: No, and I didn?t want it to come. (Laughter.) I?d heard the rumblings, but? Behind the Jersey: No. 19 ? Blog Archive ? Was Yzerman almost traded? __________________ Chip: I can’t hold my tongue. These kids are my grandchildren and you are raising them wrong. They are *terrible* boys! Walker: Shut up, Chip, or I’ll go ape-**** on your ass! Texas Ranger: I’m gonna scissor-kick you in the back of the head! Walker: I’m ten years old, but I’ll beat your ass! Texas Ranger: Chip, I’m gonna come at you like a spider monkey! Walker: Greatest Generation my ass. Tom Brokaw’s a punk! […]
[…] Was Yzerman almost traded? Filed Under (My Favorites, Management) by Christy Hammond The Detroit News had a great roundtable discussion with the big names in the Detroit Red Wings management including the team owner, GM, assistant GM, and VP. One of the many topics discussed was Yzerman.News: How close was Steve Yzerman to being traded? Devellano: There were talks. Steve Yzerman knows that. I?ve told him that. But as I told Stevie, even while it was going on, ?Look, Steve, if you?re going to be dealt to Ottawa, we have to get something real good now to replace you and a whole lot more for the future.? Ottawa couldn?t deliver on it. I don?t even think they could pay the contract, could they, Scotty? Bowman: No, I don?t think so. I remember Jimmy saying, ?You?re just spinning your wheels, because Mike Ilitch would never trade Steve Yzerman.? And I remember Mike coming to me after my first year here ? because Steve got injured that year ? and saying, ?You haven?t even seen what this guy can do.? News: Did it ever come to your desk, Mr. Ilitch? Ilitch: No, and I didn?t want it to come. (Laughter.) I?d heard the rumblings, but? __________________ Chip: I can’t hold my tongue. These kids are my grandchildren and you are raising them wrong. They are *terrible* boys! Walker: Shut up, Chip, or I’ll go ape-**** on your ass! Texas Ranger: I’m gonna scissor-kick you in the back of the head! Walker: I’m ten years old, but I’ll beat your ass! Texas Ranger: Chip, I’m gonna come at you like a spider monkey! Walker: Greatest Generation my ass. Tom Brokaw’s a punk! […]
