Ex-Detroit great Yzerman linked to Bolts' GM job

Could a key member of Hockeytown soon be calling the shots for the Tampa Bay Lightning?

A report on Canadian sports television network TSN on Wednesday stated the Lightning have received permission to speak to Detroit Red Wings vice president Steve Yzerman about Tampa Bay's vacant general manager position.

Yzerman, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 after playing his entire 1,514-game career in Detroit, has not commented on whether he is interested in leaving the Red Wings' organization. The Lightning did not comment on the report.

Tampa Bay is in search of a general manager after Brian Lawton was fired on April 12 as new owner Jeff Vinik looks to start fresh with the franchise he purchased in March. Also believed to be at the top of the Lightning's list of candidates are former Minnesota and Calgary general manager Doug Risebrough, who is currently serving as a consultant with the New York Rangers, and former Vancouver GM Dave Nonis, who is currently an assistant to Brian Burke in Toronto.

But Yzerman could jump to the top of that list if current Red Wings general manager Ken Holland receives a contract extension, as TSN also reported on Wednesday.

The soon-to-be 45-year-old Yzerman saw his stock rise significantly this year after putting together the roster for Team Canada, which captured the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, in February. Although he has never held the position at the NHL level, Yzerman is believed to be ready to take on the task of serving as a general manager. Since retiring as a player following the 2005-06 season, Yzerman has served in the front office with the Red Wings, the same team which drafted him fourth overall in the 1983 draft.

"It's inevitable he's going to be a candidate for most jobs because of the great player he was and what he's done for Canada in the Olympics and the World Championships," Holland told MLive.com. "The dues he's paid in the front office, I would anticipate eventually he's going to get the opportunity."

Holland also told the newspaper that Yzerman has gained the necessary experience to be ready to step into a front office role.

"He's absolutely ready to be a GM," Holland said. "The biggest thing for a GM is knowing people in the industry. It's about knowing who to hire as amateur scouts, pro scouts, etc. He's been in the (management) business for four years, he's built relationships with people in the industry.

"He's got experience evaluating players. He's been in our meetings on a regular basis. All those experiences and conversations add to your information base."

Bringing in a former player such as Yzerman would add instant credibility to an organization Vinik has said he wants to be "world class" in every facet.

Before a general manager is hired, however, Vinik said he wants to hire a chief executive officer to run the business. The CEO would then be part of hiring a general manager, who would be in charge of hiring a new head coach to replace Rick Tocchet, who was also fired on April 12.

Among potential CEO candidates, TSN reported that Seattle Seahawks CEO Tim Leiweke was believed to be the front-runner despite earlier this month denying his interest in the position. Others who might be on the CEO list include former Ottawa Senators CEO and president Roy Mlakar along with former Lightning president Ron Campbell and former Tampa Bay chief operating officer Sean Henry.

Vinik said he wants to have all three positions - CEO, GM and head coach - in place before the June 25-26 NHL Entry Draft, although indications are all three positions could be filled well in advance of the start of the draft.