I am very happy to learn that the Vancouver Canucks will be retiring former captain Markus Naslund's number 19 jersey this upcoming season amidst the franchise's fortieth year celebration.
The choice of retiring Naslund's number, however, was not a slam-dunk like it was to retire Trevor Linden's number 16. In many ways, those reasons are somewhat valid; however, I do not feel they are strong enough to keep "Nazzy's" jersey away from the rafters.
First, let's look at Naslund's stats: he led Vancouver in scoring for seven seasons, scored 30 or more goals six times and had three consecutive seasons with 40 or more goals. He scored 346 goals as a Canuck and remains Vancouver's leading scorer with 756 points. The all-time franchise leader in points alone should get considerable weight in the decision for a jersey retirement, wouldn't you think?
Next, let's look at his contribution to the team. When Naslund took over the role to become the Canucks' 11th captain, he was succeeding a mess that was left behind by the Mike Keenan-Mark Messier era. The team was drawing poorly, had deserted many of its fans under Keenan and Messier, and had become a laughing stock of a franchise which the Canucks were in the late 1980s. Naslund took the rein of the team, and quietly changed the way the Canucks were seen around the league. The Canucks became a contender; played an exciting brand of hockey that brought fans back into the rink; and actually had a couple kicks at making a run at Lord Stanley's mug. Sure, the team did not get over the hump in the playoffs, but can this really be blamed on Naslund? What about Dan Cloutier's blunder against Detroit? What about Todd Bertuzzi's hit that sent the franchise into darkness? What did Naslund have to do with these?
Some would still counter by saying that Stan Smyl and Trevor Linden had less talent than Naslund had around him, and still took their teams to the Stanley Cup Finals. But let us not forget that it may be that one bounce that separated a team that became a team of destiny and a bust: remember the overtime save Kirk McLean made in the 94 run? I love Trevor Linden and Kirk McLean, but without that save, even with the iron-will of Trevor Linden, the Canucks would not have made it out of the first round in 1994. In sports, that one finite centimeter sometimes does make a world of a difference.
Sure, Naslund was not your typical captain. But neither was Trevor Linden. Naslund and Linden both went out onto the rink, and led quietly by playing and helping their teammates play better. We all remember Linden's broken nose and his bloody sweater in 1994 when remembering the grit he had and the determination he showed, but to say Naslund did not pay a price throughout his career would be completely inaccurate. Sure, the guy was honest to a fault when answering reporters' questions; he even admitted that his team "choked" in the playoffs, but being honest has nothing to do with how hard he played, and how much he had helped this franchise.
To me, Trevor Linden will always remain my number 1 Canuck, and the best Canuck captain ever. However, I have absolutely no problem seeing Markus Naslund's jersey hung side-by-side to Linden's jersey; in fact, I am very proud to see the quiet, unassuming captain receiving this honour by the franchise he has given 11 of his playing career for. Congratulations, Mr. Markus Naslund!
The choice of retiring Naslund's number, however, was not a slam-dunk like it was to retire Trevor Linden's number 16. In many ways, those reasons are somewhat valid; however, I do not feel they are strong enough to keep "Nazzy's" jersey away from the rafters.
First, let's look at Naslund's stats: he led Vancouver in scoring for seven seasons, scored 30 or more goals six times and had three consecutive seasons with 40 or more goals. He scored 346 goals as a Canuck and remains Vancouver's leading scorer with 756 points. The all-time franchise leader in points alone should get considerable weight in the decision for a jersey retirement, wouldn't you think?
Next, let's look at his contribution to the team. When Naslund took over the role to become the Canucks' 11th captain, he was succeeding a mess that was left behind by the Mike Keenan-Mark Messier era. The team was drawing poorly, had deserted many of its fans under Keenan and Messier, and had become a laughing stock of a franchise which the Canucks were in the late 1980s. Naslund took the rein of the team, and quietly changed the way the Canucks were seen around the league. The Canucks became a contender; played an exciting brand of hockey that brought fans back into the rink; and actually had a couple kicks at making a run at Lord Stanley's mug. Sure, the team did not get over the hump in the playoffs, but can this really be blamed on Naslund? What about Dan Cloutier's blunder against Detroit? What about Todd Bertuzzi's hit that sent the franchise into darkness? What did Naslund have to do with these?Some would still counter by saying that Stan Smyl and Trevor Linden had less talent than Naslund had around him, and still took their teams to the Stanley Cup Finals. But let us not forget that it may be that one bounce that separated a team that became a team of destiny and a bust: remember the overtime save Kirk McLean made in the 94 run? I love Trevor Linden and Kirk McLean, but without that save, even with the iron-will of Trevor Linden, the Canucks would not have made it out of the first round in 1994. In sports, that one finite centimeter sometimes does make a world of a difference.
Sure, Naslund was not your typical captain. But neither was Trevor Linden. Naslund and Linden both went out onto the rink, and led quietly by playing and helping their teammates play better. We all remember Linden's broken nose and his bloody sweater in 1994 when remembering the grit he had and the determination he showed, but to say Naslund did not pay a price throughout his career would be completely inaccurate. Sure, the guy was honest to a fault when answering reporters' questions; he even admitted that his team "choked" in the playoffs, but being honest has nothing to do with how hard he played, and how much he had helped this franchise.
To me, Trevor Linden will always remain my number 1 Canuck, and the best Canuck captain ever. However, I have absolutely no problem seeing Markus Naslund's jersey hung side-by-side to Linden's jersey; in fact, I am very proud to see the quiet, unassuming captain receiving this honour by the franchise he has given 11 of his playing career for. Congratulations, Mr. Markus Naslund!
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