Mark Howe sounds off on Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman

He's got a track record that simply can't be argued. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning put the finishing touches on their second straight Stanley Cup win last season, and though he's no longer a part of their franchise, Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is largely responsible for assembling their championship squads. 

Yzerman took the job of Lightning GM in 2010, and helped transform the franchise into a yearly contender. Under his leadership, the Lightning drafted the likes of Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat, as well as finding undrafted diamonds in the rough like Tyler Johnson and Yanni Gourde.

And his decision to draft Brayden Point in 2014 has paid massive dividends, as he's developed into one of the games's most clutch and valuable players. 

Yzerman, who hired coach Jon Cooper, also laid the foundation for long-term success, locking up stars like Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman to long-term contracts, as well as acquiring franchise goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy 19th overall in 2012 (from a pick obtained from the Red Wings for Kyle Quincey).

Since returning to the Red Wings in 2019, he's slowly begun putting his signature touch on the team that he helped as much as anyone resurrect from the dark ages during his playing career.

Simply put, Yzerman knows what he's doing. Just ask the one and only Mark Howe, the son of legendary Detroit Red Wings player Gordie Howe. 

“I strongly believe in Steve Yzerman and his plan," Howe said. "Steve is the hardest-working guy I’ve seen. He demands the same of others and he should.”

Howe then made a point to praise the Ilitch family, who have owned the Red Wings since the early 1980's. 

“They were great to me, and us," Howe said. "To share my father with the rest of the world when he passed made a difficult time very nice.”

Howe currently serves as the director of pro scouting for the Red Wings, whom he also suited up for like his father during his playing days. Howe also spent time with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Hartford Whalers; his number was retired by the Flyers in 2012. He was also entered into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.