DETROIT - Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman wants to keep playing despite recent surgery for a scratched cornea and multiple fractures below his left eye.
"I don't know what the final point is going to be when I say that's it," Yzerman said Friday. "But I'm not there."
It was the first public comment from Yzerman since the surgery last weekend.
Yzerman, who was hurt during a Game 5 loss to Calgary in the conference semifinals, still has bruising, swelling and stitches under his bloodshot left eye.
The Red Wings forward turns 39 on Sunday.
The injury came midway through the second period after a shot by Red Wings defenseman Mathieu Schneider ricocheted in front of the Calgary net and hit Yzerman squarely in the face as he stood to the left of the goal.
Yzerman, who has blurry vision, said he regrets not wearing a visor but will do so in the future.
"The first thing that went through my mind was, "I don't want to lose my eyesight,' " Yzerman said. "I really believe guys should be wearing (visors). I didn't say that a week ago, but if I play again, or when I play again, I plan on wearing a visor."
