Travel is part of the life for professional athletes which Yzerman has been his whole life.
This is all a BS excuse and anyone is naive if you are buying this story. If he wanted to live out his golden years with his wife in the house he should have thought of that before he signed the contract.
This that not what he's doing now? Thinking about what he wants to do in the future, in either having a more limited role or leave entirely before signing another extension? Vinik wanted to get his contract done. The right move was to not sign onto more years this summer if he's unsure of what he wants at the moment.
Let's not forget, he is essentially quitting -- he was under contract for one more as GM but didn't have the decency to honor it.
That's one way to look at it, or you could see it as making sure he continues to groom his successor to ensure a smooth transition and continued success for the franchise after he's left (if he leaves all together). That's of great help to Brisebois to be able to lean on Yzerman for his first year as a GM. All 3 of Yzerman, Vinik, and Brisebois talked about alignment and not changing the plan in place or the overall organizational philosophy. If Yzerman just leaves at the end of 2019, that transition for Brisebois from assistant to gm probably is a bit rockier. It's also possible Brisebois who has been interviewed for the Wild and Penguins GM jobs could be snatched up by another team by the 2019 offseason, and then Vinik has to go searching for a brand new GM who might not match the alignment they wish to keep.
Also I don't see how anyone can say he's quitting. He's still here working for Lightning. Every little thing he can do for Brisebois will not just help us this season but in years to come. Quitting is demanding a trade to a single team, ensuring your GM and team have a harder time getting good assets back, and leaving behind a young team right before the playoffs. And that guy has his number in the rafters. Not many people in this business make sure their previous workplaces are set after their departures and care about their future success. He doesn't have to help Brisebois or the bolts, he could just walk out the door in 2019 and say best of luck.
Keep all this "wants to be at home" garbage when he gets appointed Detroit Red Wings GM.
I'll remind you that it was the majority of TBL people who insisted he would not leave TB GM for Det GM.
That's what is happening. Open your eyes. The lightning, ownership, players and fanbase were all screwed by Yzerman and people don't even have the guts to call him out for it instead repeating this BS about spending time with his kids as though they are toddlers until you find out that they are all adults.
I don't know what will happen, but if he leaves for Detroit, then like I said, I wish him well. He's done a hell of a job here and all I have and I think other fans have is respect and thanks for the job he's done to not only turn things around but make this a world class organization. Considering where we were in 2010, he's worked miracles.
As far as the family thing, that's his business. You're welcome to have the type of relationship with your loved ones you desire, and he has every right to do what he wishes too. Whatever he's missed as a father, a husband, a friend, etc, because of his career, I'm sure that's given him some thoughts about what's most important to him going forward. And I don't care how old or young his family members are. If he wants to wants to make a change to the dynamic of those relationships and be a bigger part of the lives that are important to him, then good for him. It's ridiculous to criticize him for such a thing.