Tampa Bay Lightning: Steve Yzerman’s best moves as General Manager

As Steve Yzerman steps down as the Tampa Bay Lightning General Manager, here’s a look at some of his successes.

Typically, the offseason is a time to rest and get prepared for the road ahead. Trades and free agent signings are the hot topics for the few months sans hockey. However, this past week some unexpected news came into play for Bolts Nation.

Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced he would be stepping down, to become a senior advisor. Julien BriseBois will replace Yzerman as general manager of the Lightning.

After this year as a senior advisor, Yzerman’s contract is up. This season may determine whether or not Yzerman feels more comfortable in this role. In a Press Conference, the former general manager discussed not having enough free time at home and with his family in Michigan.

What happens next, no one quite knows. Yzerman could easily stay on as an advisor, or he could start working for the Detroit Red Wings.

Despite the shock of Yzerman leaving his role, the past eight years have been successful in part to him. Here are some of Steve Yzerman’s best moves as the general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Jonathan Drouin/Mikhail Sergachev Trade

In the 2017 offseason, Jonathan Drouin was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a draft pick and defenseman Mikhail Sergachev.

Drouin had his ups and downs with the Lightning organization, but towards the end of his Lightning career showed his true skills. But, Yzerman saw potential in a young soon-to-be rookie defenseman. While some may have been skeptical of Yzerman’s plan, it had proved beneficial for Bolts Nation.

Sergachev notched 40 points in 79 games last season and made his name known in Tampa. The defenseman was also plus 11 for the season, compared to Drouin’s minus 28. Sergachev shows true potential with many years ahead of him and shows Yzerman’s skills at negotiating, and seeing talent at a young age.

Drafting/Re-Signing Nikita Kucherov

Another player Yzerman scooped up at a young age is none other than Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov was drafted in 2011 in the second round, 58th pick overall. Since then, the forward has stayed consistent on the first line. Kucherov had a career-best 100 point season last season and has shown no signs of losing steam.

This summer, it was announced that Kucherov had resigned with the Bolts. Kucherov signed an eight-year extension with an average annual value of $9.5 million. Not only is locking down a high scoring forward at a reasonable price a huge accomplishment but also signing Kucherov so quickly.

Kucherov still has one year remaining on his contract, therefore had plenty of time to re-sign with the Bolts. But the early signing proves Kucherov’s loyalty and Yzerman’s determination. This offseason has shown mistakes from other organizations by not locking up key players.

John Tavares signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs after the New York Islanders could not seal the deal. Yzerman was able to not make this same mistake, and the Bolts have Kucherov for another nine years.

Goaltending

Throughout Yzerman’s time as general manager, there have been a handful of goaltenders. In 2013, Ben Bishop was traded to the Lightning from the Ottawa Senators. Bishop brought a new face to the team and helped build back the Lightning’s success.

The Bolts made it to the Stanley Cup Final in the 2014-2015 season, and then the Eastern Conference Finals in the following season. Much of that success was due to Bishop as a veteran on the team, and also because of Yzerman working out that initial trade.

In Bishop’s shadow, was Andrei Vasilevskiy. Drafted in 2012 in the first round, Vasilevskiy proved time and time again how talented of a goalie he is with every chance he got. So much that Yzerman made the decision in the 2016-2017 season to trade Bishop at the trade deadline. This gave confidence in the young goaltender, as he was now the starting goalie for the Lightning.

So far, it’s been pretty good for Vasilevskiy. His first full season as a starter he was nominated for the Vezina Trophy. Yzerman saw Vasilevskiy’s potential and knew he could be worth more than a backup. So he made the decision to trade Bishop, get some value from the trade, and trust in the then 22-year-old. It has paid off so far since the Bolts made the Eastern Conference Final again, and are sure to go deep into the playoffs this upcoming season.

The preseason for the Tampa Bay Lightning starts on September 18 at home against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Regular Season Home Opener is October 6 against the Florida Panthers.