A big part of Yzerman's legacy is that he accomplished so much while spending his career with one team. There's been so much player movement in the last 25 to 30 years. We gripe about the lack of loyalty in the game, the lack of roster consistency. So when you see Yzerman spend more than two decades with a team, and set a record for most seasons as the captain of a team, it's a pretty big deal.
It helps that he was a class act. It helps that he was a great leader. But here's why he's rated so highly: he did all these incredible things, captained three Cup champions, put up great numbers, played at an incredibly high level for nearly 20 years - and did all that with the same organization.
It was once debated around here whether Yzerman is the second greatest Red Wing of all-time, behind Gordie Howe. I was among those who said no. But I've since changed my mind. He is the second greatest Red Wing ever. Not the second greatest player to play for the Wings. Not as great as Sawchuk or Lindsay. But when you look at what Yzerman did, and what he meant to that team, yeah, he's the second greatest Wing ever.
I watched Yzerman play. I watched Sakic play. I believe that Yzerman was the better hockey player. You could make a case for Sakic. I think the beauty of the comparison is there are so many striking similarities. Both entered the league as fairly one-dimensional players. Both were basically one-man shows in their first few seasons. (Yzerman's one-man show lasted a little longer). Both were dogged by trade rumours at one point (Sakic in around 1993 and 1994, Yzerman in 1994 and 1995), but went on to play their entire career with one team). Both played at an incredibly high level for so long. Both captained multiple Cup champs. Both became excellent two-way forwards. Both are universally beloved in the game.
Like I said before, I think Yzerman was a better hockey player, but I have no qualms with those who argue Sakic.