Yzerman doesn't tip his hand
Noncommittal captain coy after first pitch at ballgame

June 27, 2006

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. -- Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman was asked Monday if he had an answer yet to the question everyone has had on their minds.

He grinned.

"I don't know what the Whitecaps' record is right now," said Yzerman, who was at Fifth Third Ballpark to throw out a ceremonial first pitch before West Michigan's game against South Bend.

What about an answer to another big question?

"I don't know who our goalie's going to be this year, either," he said.

Yzerman made a rare public appearance Monday night at the Class A baseball game. He has been debating whether to return for his 23rd season with the Wings ever since they were eliminated from the first round of the playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers in early May.

Despite initially saying he would make a decision about his retirement about a week after the Wings' dismissal, Yzerman has yet to announce his intention.

After initially joking around Monday night, Yzerman finally addressed his mind-set.

"July 1, free agency starts," he said. "And I thought one way or the other, I thought it may be the appropriate time to let (the Wings) know what I want to do. Sometime in the near future, I'll figure out what I'm going to do."

He has gone back and forth with his decision, acknowledging that his self-imposed July 1 deadline is "deadline No. 5. Yeah, the other deadlines have come and gone."

"I said at the end of the season, I think I can make a good argument for playing or for retiring," Yzerman said. "I debated back and forth.

"And again, I'll probably speak with Mike Babcock once more and Kenny (Holland) at some point in the next few days and go from there."

Yzerman said general manager Ken Holland told him recently he could wait until September for Yzerman's decision, if necessary. Yzerman said he would prefer to make a decision sooner, but if he needs to, he'll take more time.

He joked before the game that his ceremonial first pitch might go in the dirt. Instead, it went a little high to West Michigan manager and former Tiger Matt Walbeck.

The crowd gave Yzerman a standing ovation.

NOTEBOOK: Holland is working on contacting other Red Wings and their agents this week in regard to re-signing. He told the Free Press he "had a good meeting" with goalie Chris Osgood on Monday night. He planned to talk to Rollie Thompson, Osgood's agent, today. He also planned to speak with Brendan Shanahan's agent later this week, as well as with defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom.

Don't expect the Wings to make a decision on another goalie until after Saturday.

"I know there's a number of goalies available by trade," Holland said. "We've got three or four identified."

He said "some" of the goalies they were considering were unrestricted free agents and "one or two" are available by trade.

BOSTON: The Bruins acquired Paul Mara from Phoenix for Nick Boynton in a trade of defensemen. Boston also received a third-round draft choice, which it can take next year or in 2008. The Bruins sent a 2007 fourth-round pick to the Coyotes.

MONTREAL: Goaltender Cristobal Huet re-signed with the Canadiens, agreeing to a two-year contract after a season in which he helped Montreal make the playoffs and had a league-best .929 save percentage.

He loves the area. Even if he does retire, I am curious as to whether or not the Wings might give him some sort of desk/office job?