Steve Yzerman was an incredible star in the NHL for a very long time.
A three-time Stanley Cup winner as captain of the Detroit Red Wings, Yzerman - now general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning - knows a thing or two about excelling in the sport.
During Tuesday’s media availability, Lightning GM Steve Yzerman gave the highest praise possible for Chicago captain Jonathan Toews, claiming Toews is a better player than he was in his day.
“The reality is Jonathan’s bigger, stronger, better,” Yzerman said. “He just is. He’s just a tremendous all-around player, great person.
“Over the course of my career my play evolved and through Scotty Bowman. The way he wanted our team to play, we all became more defensive-minded players, more well-rounded players. Jonathan’s been that from day one.”
Already with two Cups to his name and only 27 years old, Toews - who has recorded nine goals and nine assists in 17 playoff games - could set himself up to become one of the all-time greats with another championship, and possibly a second Conn Smythe Trophy.
Toews, who much like Yzerman has always been a humble person, exhibited that trait in response to Yzerman's remarks.

For Toews to be labelled as better than the Hall-of-Fame center at this point in his career is hasty, but there is no doubt that he has every possibility of joining the conversation.