Tampa Bay Got the Right Man.

The Tampa Bay Lightning didn't take no for an answer when it came to the selection of their new General Manager and it's a good think they didn't.

Last Tuesday when the Lightning announced former Detroit Red Wing captain Steve Yzerman, as their new GM it was a devastating lost for the Detroit organization and a tremendous gain for the Tampa Bay one. For the Red Wing fans it was a tough thing to see him leave but if you really appreciate the three time Stanley Cup winner that spend his entire career in the Motor City, you'll be happy for him. It was pretty clear that Yzerman wasn't going to be taking the reins in Detroit anytime soon. The reason is simple, Ken Holland is expected to sign an extension and the assistant GM Jim Nill is the next in line whenever Holland leaves his post. (which doesn’t seem to be anytime soon)

So when Yzerman was rumoured to have said no to the Lightning’s initial offer. It wasn’t because the Hall of Famer didn’t want the job, it was the decision that he didn’t want to leave the team that drafted him 4th overall in 1983. Not to mention that the Yzerman family was very content in the Michigan area and didn’t plan on leaving.

So what made the 600 goal club member, up and move his family to the sunny beaches of Tampa, Florida? Well I think it’s safe to say financial numbers in his contract might have had something to do with it. But that wasn’t the main reason behind his move. Yzerman was the man behind the Olympic gold medal Canadian men’s hockey team this season. Many might think that being the GM of Canada’s Olympic team is an easy job with so much talent to choose from. Well think again. It isn’t and by the results of the team in the 2006 Olympics it takes a strong hockey mind to do so.

When Yzerman got the taste of victory at the Olympics and the thrill of the idea that he built that team, he knew he was ready to take on the challenge of an NHL team. So when the Lightning came calling it was the chance for the 1998 Conn Symthe trophy winner to build his own Stanley Cup champion.

The future looks good in Tampa Bay with the likes of Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman and Veterans Martin St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier. Now with Yzerman behind the wheel Tampa Bay will be on a fast track to success for years to come.

Blog – 1 year, 8 months ago by mbrown88 to Hockey. 698 views, 4 comments.