Few people will be surprised that Steve Yzerman, the general manager, didn’t pick Steve Yzerman, the hockey player, as one of his starting-five, all-time Detroit Red Wings.

With more than 50 former players returning for the 100 Centennial Celebration at MotorCity Casino Hotel from Nov. 6-9, Yzerman was asked on 97.1 FM The Ticket on Wednesday what his Detroit all-star team would look like.

“Ahhh, well, Gordie obviously on the wing, that would be one,” Yzerman said. “At center, Pavel (Datsyuk) but you couldn’t be wrong with any of the choices. The other winger, Ted Lindsay. On the back end, it would be Nick Lidstrom and Red Kelly. In net, Terry Sawchuk.”

Jim Costa, 97.1 FM co-host, picked up on the obvious omission at center. Yzerman ranks second in franchise history with 1,755 points, second only to Howe’s 1,809 points.

“Steve, you could be in the middle,” Costa said, laughing.

“Well, yeah, you asked me to pick my team, so if I’m on your team, thanks, but I picked my team,” Yzerman said, laughing.

Yzerman said there were a lot of other “great choices” at center, including Sergei Fedorov, Alex Delvecchio and Sid Abel.

Yzerman also said he’s encouraged by the Red Wings’ 5-1 start heading into Wednesday’s game at Buffalo, but he feels they “can play better.”

“I certainly like the 5-1 start but I don’t think we’ve played great,” Yzerman said. “I like a lot of the little things we’ve been doing well. The penalty killing seems to be on the right track and the goaltending has been solid.

“Now we’re got six of seven on the road and the coach doesn’t get his matchups on line changes. The home team can put their top guys out and see if they can get an advantage. It’s important for our guys to respond.”

Limited access to $15 tickets for the Centennial FanFest ends on Sunday at 11:59 p.m. The FanFest includes historic exhibits, interactive experiences, Q&A panels, watch parties, kid activities and exclusive merchandise. For details, go to detroitredwings.com.

mfalkner@detroitnews.com

@falkner

Steve Yzerman’s all-time Red Wings teamRW: Gordie Howe

Years: 25 (1946-1971)

Goals: 786

Assists: 1,023

Points: 1,809

Playoff points: 158

Stanley Cups: 4 (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955)

Center: Pavel Datsyuk

Years: 14 (2001-2016)

Games: 953

Goals: 314

Assists: 604

Points: 918

Playoff points: 113

Stanley Cups: 2 (2002, 2008)

LW: Ted Lindsay

Years: 14 (1944-1965)

Games: 862

Goals: 335

Assists: 393

Points: 728

Playoff points: 88

Stanley Cups: 4 (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955)

Defense: Nick Lidstrom

Years: 20 (1991-2012)

Games: 1,564

Goals: 264

Assists: 878

Points: 1,142

Playoff points: 183

Stanley Cups: 4 (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008)

Defense: Red Kelly

Years: 13 (1947-1960)

Games: 846

Goals: 162

Assists: 310

Points: 472

Playoff points: 37

Stanley Cups: 4 (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955)

Goalie: Terry Sawchuk

Years: 14 (1950-1969)

Games: 734

Wins: 350

Losses: 245

Ties: 132

GAV: 2.44

Shutouts: 85

Playoff record: 46-37

Stanley Cups: 3 (1952, 1954, 1955)

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