Red Wings Yzerman cheer for the Netherlands

To no one’s surprise, as the Edmonton Oilers face the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final series on Monday, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is unapologetically cheering for Holland.

Of course it makes perfect sense. After all, Oilers GM Ken Holland, the man who would replace Yzerman as GM of the Red Wings, was Stevie Y’s boss for years. Holland would also serve as Yzerman’s mentor as he apprenticed for his current role.

Ken Holland brought in Hyman, Ekholm, Janmark, Connor Brown and Adam Henrique. Masterful additions. #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/0rZgxJ63HE

— The Cynic (@J_TheCynic) June 22, 2024

No wait, not that Holland. The other.

Maybe you know them better as the Netherlands.

That’s right, we’re talking about football here, or football as they say on the other side of the Atlantic. The Euro 2024 tournament to be specific. And Yzerman’s team is the Netherlands. . . er, Netherlands.

“Well, my name is Dutch and I’m a fan of Virgil van Dijk,” Yzerman explained.

Van Dijk is the Dutch captain. The central defender is also captain of English Premier League club Liverpool.

Red Wings Lidstrom, also a Liverpool fan

If he makes the case for Liverpool, Yzerman would have something in common with another Red Wings legend. Detroit’s seven-time Norris Trophy-winning defender Nicklas Lidstrom is also a big Liverpool supporter.

Yzerman and Lidstrom are the only Detroit captains to lift the Stanley Cup since 1955. Today, Lidstrom works for Yzerman as vice president of hockey operations for the Red Wings.

Between preparing for the NHL entry, looking at what’s available on the trade market and negotiating contracts with his restricted and unrestricted free agents, Yzerman is also trying to keep an eye on the Dutch as they attempt to shape their Euro 2024 squad to master.

This is Virgil van Dijk on a disallowed Dutch goal 🗣️#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/7c3BrCWvfX

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) June 21, 2024

The Netherlands and France are currently deadlocked in Group D. Each country has four points from two matches, one of which remains to be played.

Yzerman was probably delighted when his advance analysis of Friday’s match between these two football powerhouses was wrong.

“I think the French are too strong,” he said before the match against the Netherlands.

That match ended in a goalless draw. Controversially, a Dutch goal was disallowed.

After the match, Van Dijk sharply criticized the statement of English referee Anthony Taylor.

“We have scored a goal that is a justified goal,” Van Dijk insisted after the match. “But yes, the English referee decided not to allow it.”

No wonder that van Dijk is Yzerman’s favorite player.