By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman is one of three finalists for the NHL's GM of the Year award.
In his first season as a GM, the former Detroit Red Wings star gave the franchise immediate credibility and built a team that had missed the playoffs in three previous seasons into the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Along the way, he hired head coach Guy Boucher, signed Marty St. Louis to a four-year extension and acquired forward Simon Gagne, defenseman Eric Brewer and goaltender Dwayne Roloson, among numerous others.
Mike Gillis of the Presidents Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks and David Poile of the Nashville Predators are the other finalists.
The winner will be announced at the NHL's annual awards ceremony in Las Vegas on Wednesday, June 22.