Tampa Bay Hires Legendary Red Wing As GM

By Justin Worsley

Steve Yzerman had a legendary career in Detroit, where he spent his entire 23-year career and was name to 10 All-Star teams.

Immediately after his retirement in 2006, Yzerman was named the vice president of the Red Wings, remaining as a member of a team he won three Stanley Cups with. In 2008, Yzernam won his fourth Cup, this time as an executive.

Yzerman will now trek into unfamiliar territory as the Tampa Bay Lightning has named the 2009 Hall of Fame inductee the team's new general manager.

Yzerman's first job as general manager will be to find a new head coach. Lightning owner Jeff Vinik gave head coach Rich Tocchet a pink slip along with general manager Brian Lawton in April.

Tampa Bay is hoping that Yzerman is as successful off the ice as he was on it. The team has failed to make the playoffs in the last three seasons. Tampa Bay was 34-36-12 last season.

Tampa Bay will be led next season by first-overall draft picks Vincent Lecavlier (1998) and Steven Stamkos (2008.) Lecavlier helped Tampa Bay win their lone Stanley Cup in 2004.