Jaromir Blogger
Registered User
- Oct 15, 2014
- 227
- 6
Yzerman became the prototype for the two-way center that dominates the NHL today. The way Patrick Roy made butterfly goaltending the standard, Yzerman was the leader in creating a dominant era for centers that play all phases.
I've told this anecdote before, but the Stars never win a Cup without Yzerman. Modano was the template for 80s high flying scoring center until Hitchcock demanded he round out his game to match Yzerman. Without Yzerman's progression pushing him, Modano never leads that team to back-to-back Cup appearances.
What higher praise can you place on a rival than to say you had to mimic him to find success?
He also may have had a big influence on Sakic in the same way.
Crosby reminds me so much of those two (more Sakic, though).