Finally Official: Yzerman Re-signs

The Detroit Red Wings re-signed longtime captain Steve Yzerman to a one-year deal on Monday, after the parties had agreed in principle to terms over a month ago.

Reportedly, the deal will pay Yzerman a base salary of $6 million, with an additional $2 million available in performance-based bonuses.

“We are all very pleased to have Steve back in the fold for one more year,” Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said in a release. “He brings a great deal of dedication, skill and leadership abilities to our hockey club, and I feel his competitive nature will greatly help this team remain successful throughout the upcoming season.”

Yzerman was the youngest captain in NHL history when the Red Wings gave him the “C” in 1986. He is the longest-serving captain in NHL history.

Yzerman has spent his entire career with the Red Wings.

After recovering from an offseason osteotomy – a revolutionary knee realignment procedure never-before performed on a professional athlete – Yzerman played in sixteen games for the Red Wings last season. He tallied two goals and sixteen assists. His career totals now sit at 660 goals and 1,010 assists in 1,378 games played.

Yzerman was selected fourth-overall by Detroit in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft.