Yzerman: Toews is the better hockey player
TAMPA, Fla. — It was the ultimate compliment from one of the all-time greats of the NHL.
And a sheepish Jonathan Toews wasn't quite sure how to take it.
“He's bigger, stronger than me. I'm not sure I could even take him in a race either. He's probably faster. Just a better hockey player.”
Those words came out of the mouth of none other than Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman on Tuesday during Stanley Cup media day at the Amelia Center on the eve of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Yzerman, of course, had a Hall of Fame career that lasted 23 years. He racked up 692 goals (ninth all time) and 1,755 points, all with the Detroit Red Wings, and won three Stanley Cups.
A smiling Toews paused, not quite sure how to react to such praise.
“I want to call him Mr. Yzerman, but I know he'd probably get mad at me if I said that,” Toews said. “But I think Steve is a very complimentary person, and I don't think he'd say anything less than that.
“I just take that with a grain of salt. I think everyone here knows that's pretty much untrue, but it obviously means a lot to hear any sort of praise from a guy like that.”
Toews, if he managed to play 24 seasons, would be on pace for 669 goals and 1,518 points in a completely different era from the one Yzerman played in from 1983-2006.
What Toews did at the end of the Western Conference finals was nothing short of spectacular, scoring 2 goals in Game 5 in 78 seconds to send the game to overtime, then pumping 2 first-period shots past Frederik Andersen in a Game 7 win that was never in doubt.
But Toews has grown a lot off the ice as well. Captain Serious has been there for players such as Daniel Carcillo, who went through a very rough time this year when former teammate and good friend Steve Montador died Feb. 15.
“He's really grown in the last couple years,” Carcillo said. “I think spiritually and just being able to calm himself down and have that calming effect (on others) instead of being that serious guy everybody's accustomed to seeing.
“(With) the guys who aren't playing, kind of including them in the team aspect and just making guys feel comfortable in a situation where you might not feel that comfortable or that wanted.”
Toews said he learns more and more every day about the dynamic of the locker room and how to be there for every player at any time.
“It's no simple thing,” Toews said. “Try to understand what your teammates go through, especially some guys who are going through tough times. Whether it's being on the ice or guys who aren't playing, especially throughout the playoffs you try and lend a hand and pick those guys up as well.
“That's definitely part of being a captain. Showing that understanding to all those guys in the locker room.
From Tampa Bay's perspective, Steven Stamkos, Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Nikita Kucherov and the rest of the Lightning are going to have to figure out how to stop a Toews-led team loaded with talent and playing its best hockey of the year.
Three Lightning players used the phrases “tough test,” “difficult task” and “huge challenge” when describing what they're up against. In some ways, they even seemed a bit star struck.
Left wing Brendan Morrow, back in the Final for the first time since 2000 with Dallas, was asked if the Hawks can be beaten four times in a seven-game series. And, if so, how can it be done?
“We'll see,” Morrow said. “I think everyone's thought was you've got to be physical on their four D. But it hasn't worked out. They're tough guys to catch, to hit.
“I think if you get the opportunity, you've got to play physical with them, but you've got to stay on the right side of the pucks, too. Because that team, given the right opportunity, they'll open you up and make you pay. So it's going to be a tough test for us.”
And what about stopping Toews? Is there a book on how to do that?
“I don't think so,” Lightning defenseman Matt Carle said. “If there is one, nobody has written it and nobody knows how to write it. You just have to try and contain him. He plays in the hard areas and plays the right way. Obviously he gets rewarded for it.”
So who is going to prevail? Hawks newcomer Antoine Vermette believes Captain Serious will in fact lift the Cup for the third time in his young career.
“This is a great group,” Vermette said of the Hawks, “and with all the due respect to the Lightning — this is going to be a great series — but we're confident in our group and feel we can get it done.”
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