MLive’s Ansar Khan spoke with Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman about Wings draft pick Carter Bear’s recovery from a partially torn Achilles tendon, and Yzerman offered a surprising comment regarding the injury histories of draft-eligible players:
“You find something wrong with everybody,” Yzerman said. “They’ve been playing for a long time and most of them have (had) something.
“Some things will scare you more than others. I’ll just use a torn ACL as an example. Thirty years ago, most of us would have been really hesitant to take a player. Now, the techniques that doctors have and the training, physiotherapy … the time they’re out isn’t really a concern.
“So, injuries are a part of it and there is some risk involved with drafting any player. Even the healthy ones could get hurt. So, you cross your fingers and there’s a little bit of luck involved in staying healthy. But for the most part, everybody’s dealing with something now, it seems.”
Continued; it’s true, everybody’s somewhat “banged-up” long-term at 18 years of age. Hockey is a punishing sport, so it’s to be expected.
