Detroit — Over the years, the bond stretched but never broke. How could it? Steve Yzerman was connected to the Red Wings — in lore and in the mind’s eye — even when he was disconnected for nine years in Tampa. There may be no greater bond in sports than the link between the prodigal son, the town he ruled and the team he led.
Yzerman is back, introduced Friday as the Wings’ executive vice president and general manager, capping a celebrated inevitability. The only surprises were the timing, a few days after his former team was eliminated from the playoffs, and the deftness of the transition, as Ken Holland moved to senior vice president.