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Alex

• Detroit, MI (US)
• Since: Mar 26th, 2011
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  Best possible NHL realignment scenario: 2 conferences, 4 divisions
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  Will the Red Wings 'Turn it On' in the playoffs?

On Wednesday, NHL.com announced the three finalists for the Best GM of the Year award. The three finalists were Steve Gillis of the Vancouver Canucks, David Poile of the Nashville Predators and finally, Steve Yzerman of the Tampa Bay Lighting. Of course the winner is already picked and these three are just those with the most votes, but Yzerman should, and almost undoubtedly will be the winner of the award.

Both Gillis and Poile have made stellar accomplishments, and of course that is why they are finalists. Even though they have never made it into the second round of the playoffs in their short 13 year history, David Poile has crafted the Predators to be competitive even when they may not look like a roster that will make impacts. Steve Gillis has, of course, made a stellar team out of the Canucks, who have a legitimate shot at winning a championship this year.

But the shoe in candidate should be, and is, Steve Yzerman. After spending over two decades with the Detroit Red wings organization, last summer he was given the job of GM of the Tampa Bay Lighting and he didn't waste any time making his impressions. Just two weeks after being named GM, Yzerman named Guy Boucher as head coach. He quickly signed Martin St. Louis to a 4 year contract extension and signed Pavel Kubina and Brett Clark to strengthen their D corp. He brought in Simon Gagne from Philadelphia in a trade, giving away Matt Walker and a 4th round pick. Gange then put up a very respectable 40 points in 63 games. Yzerman also acquired goalie Dwane Roloson from the Islanders, who has proven to be very stable for them in net.

The Lighting are currently on the verge of being eliminated by Pittsburgh, but they wouldn't have made their first playoff appearance in four years without the leadership of Steve Yzerman. Every Lighting fan hopes that Yzerman stays in the organization for a long time, and every Red Wings fan wishes the exact opposite.