I've always believed, or hoped with a significant dash of optimism, that he'd return. I've always believed in that possibility because of his allegiance to the Wings. I always believed that when/if he returned it would be to restore, rebuild, re-engineer the Red Wings, the hockey team.

It never crossed my mind that maybe that loyalty transcends team and includes community.

I'd always thought his family moved to Tampa and, knowing Tampa, assumed they loved it. And, believe me, if you've been to the Tampa, Clearwater, St. Pete area...there is a lot to love.

It shocked and genuinely encouraged me to read yesterday and today that his family stayed in Michigan. Given the option, they chose Michigan. With Tampa, Florida as a possible home, with that weather, that pace, those beaches...the Yzerman family chose Michigan, specifically Detroit...or whichever suburb of Detroit they call home.

The Yzermans chose Michigan, chose to stay in Michigan. When it's time for Yzerman to broach the quality of life subject with potential UFAs, I wonder if that will come up?

Now it gets weird.

He's spent 8 years building a rival into a contender. Hell, a lot of us were hoping they'd win it last year so that he'd feel a sense of completion, one that would allow him to leave Tampa fulfilled. Now, we are justifiably assuming that the wheels (yes, the winged ones) are in motion and that The Return is set to occur no later than next year at this time. But they haven't won it with Yzerman and now, knowing he's leaving...he's not staying in Tampa...he's not re-signing a deal to stay on as an advisor...he's going to bide his time, spending most of it in Michigan with his family, immediate and extended, still working for the Lightning, but damn well planning and plotting for the day he succeeds Tick Tock Holland in a job he should have had 9 years ago.

How's that work? How does it work when everyone knows, or at least assumes, what I believe to be the inevitable? How does Steve Yzerman continue to collect a check from Tampa while keeping a professional eye on the franchise he's going to return to, one that happens to be a significant rival of the team that employs you?

Oh, I'm assuming too much. Sorry. I guess I'm the only one, right?

It bothers me that Yzerman is staying on in any capacity. I'd have preferred he just cut ties completely. It bothers me because I don't like awkward. Awkward worries me.

Jimmy D lies. He's always lied. He lied yesterday when he said he was shocked. No, I'm sorry. He lied to you and the media and anyone listening and I'm really good with that.

Steve Yzerman was a Red Wing because Devellano scouted him and drafted him. Steve Yzerman was Jimmy D's love child, then his precocious teen, then his prized adult son. Jimmy Devellano raised Yzerman after the age of 18 along with the help of an entire Wing organization.

Yzerman made the decision, allegedly, in July. Well, he started discussing it with Lightning ownership in July. Devallano said he was "shocked."

Liar.

Jimmy D knew and he knows now. He knows the plan. Yzerman knows the plan. The Lightning know the plan. Holland may be so oblivious to this that he may still be unaware of Yzerman's announced decision yesterday. I have no idea and don't care.

The (winged) wheels are in motion. The return is underway, but it's a return that isn't really a return because a few things haven't ever left Michigan: family and loyalty. Tell me you didn't feel a bit of pride in state when you read Yzerman told the Lightning players he was "returning home to Michigan."

Home to Michigan. Home. To. Michigan.

19 in '19. Of course.