Yzerman signs his star player, Bergevin trades his

BULLS OF THE WEEK

In 2002, Steve Yzerman was among the catalysts in Team Canada’s gold-medal victory at the Winter Olympics and captain of the Stanley Cup-winning Detroit Red Wings.

Stevie Y is our Bull Of The Week because of another impressive double, this time as vicepresident and general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The native of Cranbrook began by convincing superstar sniper Steven Stamkos to remain in Tampa Bay and sign an eight-year, US$68 million contract that was cost efficient for the club and tax efficient for the player.

Yzerman applied the same approach to stud defenceman Victor Hedman, who also extended with the Lightning for eight years at an average annual value of US$7.875 million. Yzerman is already regarded as one of the great hockey players and leaders of all time. His 10-year front office career has clearly established Yzerman as one of the best hockey minds, too.

BEARS OF THE WEEK

The clear winners and losers in any player acquisition only reveal themselves several years later. That will be the case for Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin.

Bergevin acquired Shea Weber from the Nashville Predators in exchange for P.K. Subban. Although the case can be made that Weber could make the Habs better in the short term, it is a laughable transaction when it comes to the comparative age of the players and their contract terms.

It’s also a huge step back for the Canadiens in terms of public relations, entertainment quotient and fan engagement, the single most consistent driver in the business of sport. Worst of all, it appears the Canadiens’ front office was so out of step with the Montreal fan base when it came to embracing what made Subban the draw he was.

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