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Jyrki21
Rebel Sell + Moneyball = Life
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1982
Location: Ottawa, ON
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 Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:19 am Post subject: Näslund on the verge of becoming VAN all-time scoring leader |
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The Canucks' history may be a modest one, and the relatively short tenures of guys like Pavel Bure and Cam Neely have ensured that no one player has been able to put up a ton of points in a Canuck jersey.
Nevertheless, when you consider that Markus Näslund was almost 23, in his third season and very nearly an NHL castoff when he arrived in Vancouver in a minor trade at the 1996 trade deadline, and then took another three seasons to blossom, it's pretty impressive that he is now (following the Anaheim game) only one point shy of being the Canucks' all-time scoring leader. His best years also came in some notoriously low-scoring years in the NHL, making one wonder if his totals might compare to other franchises' all-time leaders if he'd come along a few years earlier.
A Photo Tribute to Markus Näslund
A young Näslund and Peter Forsberg (and some other kid) in their minor hockey days:
Näslund went 16th overall to Pittsburgh in the 1991 entry draft. Other notables going before him include former Canuck Scott Lachance at #4, two spots before Forsberg. The Canucks' pick, Alek Stojanov, went right after Forsberg at #7. (To this day I swear Pat Quinn would have taken Stojanov at #6 even if Forsberg were still available, but I've read elsewhere that Quinn had Forsberg's name on a Vancouver jersey ready to go).
The Penguin Days
Näslund never spent a full year in the minors before his 71-game rookie season with the Penguins. After that, he struggled for playing time until he saw some ice alongside Mario Lemieux in his third season, 1995-96. This may have been a ploy by Penguins' GM Craig Patrick to boost his value for trade purposes, as Näslund managed 52 points in 66 games with Pittsburgh before the trade deadline.
A babyfaced Näslund celebrates a goal with the Penguins:
Canucks' GM Pat Quinn, either seduced by Näslund's inflated numbers, or aware that Stojanov clearly didn't have what it takes, made a simple trade with the Penguins on the 1996 deadline, swapping the teams' 1991 first-rounders. Näslund took #22 for the Canucks (he would switch to #19 the following year), recording all three goals he scored for them in one game toward the end of the season. He scored no other points for Vancouver in any other game that regular season, though he put up a goal and two assists in the Canucks' 6-game first-round playoff loss to Colorado.
Näslund right after his acquisition by the Canucks:
The man who made it all possible:
The Early Canuck Days
Näslund's arrival was met with little to no fanfare -- Quinn also acquired the likes of Jesse Belanger and Mike Sillinger that day, and the deal was received similarly. Näslund showed some flashes of skill, though, as he recorded his second straight 20-goal season the following year, as a second- or third-liner on the Canucks' first non-playoff team since 1990. In 1997-98, the Canucks stumbled out of the gate, Mike Keenan was brought in to scorch the earth, and Näslund as a skilled European had a diminished role on the team. His numbers sunk and (I believe) he was a healthy scratch once or twice.
Näslund in 1996-97:
Näslund as a fringe winger in 1997-98:
Emergence
Against the backdrop of Pavel Bure's holdout, Näslund started 1998-99 in Keenan's doghouse, and was a healthy scratch until a rash of injuries placed him into the lineup by necessity. For reasons that may never be understood (Näslund gives some credit to Mark Messier, but you have to think there's a lot of PR there), the then-fringe third-liner started scoring a bunch of goals. (So did Adrian Aucoin, but that's a story for another day). Obviously unable to bench one of the few bright spots on the season, Keenan reinstated Näslund as a go-to guy (until he got canned mid-season, anyway), and Näslund finished the season with a career-high 36 goals and 66 points, playing in his first All-Star Game.
Mid-season, the Vancouver Sun mocked the treatment that Näslund had received from coach and fans alike while a non-core member of the team. Describing an appropriate skills competition for the dismal Canucks' team, they suggested that all players be lined up in front of an empty net, and be given 10 chances to hit it. Those that scored on the unguarded cage even once moved on to the next round. "Except Markus Näslund," wrote the Sun, "who must shoot against a goalie, and score on all ten shots, or else his commitment to the game is questioned."
You know the rest
The focus here is on Näslund's early years, because most know his career arc after the departure of Messier, being named captain, the formation of the "West Coast Express," the Moore hit, subsequent decline (and hopeful resurgence). Still, when you look at how much transpired before his emergence, how much of an afterthought to the team he was, it's pretty remarkable (though obviously not flattering to the Canucks) that a player taking this path would end up holding the all-time scoring title one day.
All the negative focus on the Cam Neely deal has for some reason always overshadowed the considerable number of very lopsided, very good trades Vancouver has made over the years, and the Näslund-Stojanov swap is universally regarded as one of the most lopsided of all time. (To date, Näslund has scored 113 regular season points in the NHL for every one that Stojanov had).
   
With his impending achievement (though it would be hilarious of Trevor Linden went on a scoring tear to stop it from happening), I raise a virtual glass to Markus Näslund!
:Insert former beer emoticon here:!
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Last edited by Jyrki21 on Wed Nov 28, 2007 2:05 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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N2W
Joined: 12 Nov 2007
Posts: 67
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:46 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| To this day I sweat Pat Quinn would have taken Stojanov at #6 even if Forsberg were still available, but I've read elsewhere that Quinn had Forsberg's name on a Vancouver jersey ready to go |
He did - they were shocked that Forsberg didn't fall to them.
| Quote: |
| To date, Näslund has scored 113 regular season points in the NHL for every one that Stojanov had |
But what about the intangibles that Stojanov brings (brought) to the game? 
Good to see Naslund doing this - hopefully he can break this at home before their road trip. It wouldn't be right for him to break the record in Minnesota. Also nice to see that he's playing well to do this - he isn't on some 50 point and -25 pace, but actually contributing meaningful goals. |
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Av-merican
Un-Tenured Professor of Hockey
Joined: 17 Oct 2007
Posts: 2314
Location: Denver
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Congrats to Naslund, always a very respected foe, class all the way. |
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Cannots Luvah
Mike Weaver jersey on order
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1127
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:05 pm Post subject: |
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Another milestone is the battle for 10th ... Mo is 4-5 pts away from leap frogging Petri Skriko , 'the greatest Finish left winger who's name is Petri' to ever play for the Canucks
Let me add Naslund wore #22 in his debut caz #19 was taken by everybody's favourite player nicknamed 'The House' , Jim Sandlak. If Im not mistaken he scored his hattrick vs Calgary in the last game of the season to give him 20+ goals. |
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Bosc Ulrich II
OTP Resident Historian
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 3442
Location: Sweetest lid in the league
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats Nazzy, he's a class act and I've always liked him.
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Bring back the old OTP!
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Tuzer
No longer Croozing
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 956
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Cannots Luvah wrote: |
Another milestone is the battle for 10th ... Mo is 4-5 pts away from leap frogging Petri Skriko , 'the greatest Finish left winger who's name is Petri' to ever play for the Canucks
Let me add Naslund wore #22 in his debut caz #19 was taken by everybody's favourite player nicknamed 'The House' , Jim Sandlak. If Im not mistaken he scored his hattrick vs Calgary in the last game of the season to give him 20+ goals. |
I thought Sandlak was # 25,,Anyway,Way to go Markus,Keep it up. |
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Cannots Luvah
Mike Weaver jersey on order
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1127
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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| yeah , you are correct but I think he took it back on his second tour of duty |
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the New Cunning Linguist
Like a good neighbor, only better
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1922
Location: I'm here, aren't I?
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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Way to go, Markus!
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... Because the old one, is well, old.
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Cannots Luvah
Mike Weaver jersey on order
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1127
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Tuz , you are correct , Tim HUnter was wearing 19 still in'96, I thought Timmy was gone by 96. I could'v swore Sandlak took back #19 in his second tour |
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the S Fox
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, Jyrki.....a trip down memory lane.
Shows the dedication and stick with-it character of the man that certainly makes him a leader that other players can emulate.
I'm sure most of his mates in the room appreciate his qualities more so than the so called "fans" who have in recent years called for him being traded or removed of his captaincy. |
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Cannots Luvah
Mike Weaver jersey on order
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1127
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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flashing back to the summer 2000 , I must admit I was stunned and in doubt when they named Markus Naslund captain. I was thinking at the time , OHlund , Jovo , Baron , maybe even Cassels as a co-captain unit , didnt even have Markus on that radar as captain material. WHen BUrke named Naslund captain , and was that not the training camp in Sweden? I was shocked and skeptical. He answered the bell and silenced the skeptics, Naslund was having an all star calibre season , challenging for the Richard as a darkhorse , leading his team to the playoffs .. then broken leg in Buffalo with 10 games to go. Canucks finished 3-11 or 4-10 including the playoff sweep
Naslund was named to the Hockey News 2nd team all-star that season and would've made the NHL 2nd team if not for the broken leg. He was 3rd or 4th in goals at the time he broke his leg.
Another record Naslund has is leading the Canucks in scoring for like 7 straight years. Andre Boudrias did for 4 years straight. 99, 00 ,01 , 02 , 03 , 04 , 06. |
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Jyrki21
Rebel Sell + Moneyball = Life
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1982
Location: Ottawa, ON
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Cannots Luvah wrote: |
| yeah , you are correct but I think he took it back on his second tour of duty |
You know what, I have absolutely no memory of Jim Sandlak coming back to the Canucks. Seriously, my mind is normally a sponge for this kind of thing, and I honestly had to go look it up when you mentioned a return.
The reason you're associating Sandlak with #19, though, is because he wore it until the 1990-91 season. I believe he switched so that the Canucks' future franchise centerman, Petr Nedved, could wear it.
| Cannots Luvah wrote: |
| flashing back to the summer 2000 , I must admit I was stunned and in doubt when they named Markus Naslund captain. I was thinking at the time , OHlund , Jovo , Baron , maybe even Cassels as a co-captain unit , didnt even have Markus on that radar as captain material. |
Burke apparently asked Öhlund if he was interested, but he wasn't. My recollection is that Näslund was most definitely the odds-on favorite -- no one (but you, apparently  ) was surprised when Burke made the announcement in Stockholm. The Canucks were an incredibly young team at that point, and he'd led them in scoring two years running... it was kind of by default. Cassels had two years left UFA-dom and was not a spring chicken likely to stay around. Jovo was still quite young and unproven. Baron, I could have seen.
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Cannots Luvah
Mike Weaver jersey on order
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1127
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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I dont know why , I have Sandlak pictured in the Salmon jersey with #19.. then Timmy was still here. I forgot we had Timmy , Gino and Joey Kocur on that roster. The forgotten 94 Ranger that joined the Canucks.. Kocur.
Of course Timmy wore 26 when he first got here caz of that franchise centre stud. WHich I think Kocur wore when he was here..or did Sillinger take it? man , that was a crazy roster. So many names on that roster where I go " holy crap I forgot he was here": Jesse The Body Belanger , Frank Kucera , Jim Dowd , Joe toothpick Beranek , Mike Sillinger , Tikkanen , .. nutz.
Last edited by Cannots Luvah on Wed Nov 28, 2007 2:32 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Cannots Luvah
Mike Weaver jersey on order
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1127
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Jyrki21 wrote: |
Burke apparently asked Öhlund if he was interested, but he wasn't. My recollection is that Näslund was most definitely the odds-on favorite -- no one (but you, apparently ) |
really? I dont recall any hype for Naslund to get the C , that caught me off guard completely at the time. |
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the New Cunning Linguist
Like a good neighbor, only better
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1922
Location: I'm here, aren't I?
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Bell Centre Ghost
Haunting the Bell Centre since 2005
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 537
Location: Guelph
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:48 am Post subject: |
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Boy do I remember watching that draft. I was extremely hungover from our highschool year-end party and I got home just in time to watch Lindros not put on the Nordiques jersey. I waited with baited breath as Naslund dropped down the list and neared Montreal's pick... only to be nabbed by Pittsburgh. Well.... at least we got Bilodeau.
Good on him - he's the 2nd best Naslund to play in the league
_________________
The fans represent the soul of the organization. This is their team. Us, we simply try to make it better. They tell us when things are going good, and when they are less so. We don't always give them the impression that we are listening, but we are. |
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Jyrki21
Rebel Sell + Moneyball = Life
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1982
Location: Ottawa, ON
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:17 am Post subject: |
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| Bell Centre Ghost wrote: |
| Boy do I remember watching that draft. I was extremely hungover from our highschool year-end party and I got home just in time to watch Lindros not put on the Nordiques jersey. I waited with baited breath as Naslund dropped down the list and neared Montreal's pick... only to be nabbed by Pittsburgh. Well.... at least we got Bilodeau. |
I didn't realize he had any pre-draft hype, to be honest. (Or were you just more astute than most?) I mean, even Forsberg didn't if I recall -- it was all about Lindros. I was also pretty young (finishing Gr. 7) so I didn't know much about juniors anyway. (Though I still knew immediately that Stojanov was a waste of space).
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Cannots Luvah
Mike Weaver jersey on order
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1127
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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yeah , me neither , I didnt know exactly where Naslund was going but I knew he , Forsberg , Nylander and Renberg were like the swedish versions of Bure , Mogilny and Federov and tore it up at the word jr.
try actually having a Lindros quebec jersey and watch Lindros walk away... sonava!
I remember a few things myself from the 91 draft
, A) the Maple Leafs traded for Tom Sexy Boy Kurvers from NJ for TO's 1991 1st rd pick... there was panic in the TO thay they might've traded Lindros for Kurvers as the Leafs sucked bad that year and ironically there was a relief that they *only* gave up Scott Neidermayer ... more odd that Kurvers finished that 91 season in Vancouver! lol
B) I knew who Falloon and Whitney were in the WHL.. I was stunned when SJ got both. Who woulda thunk Falloon the next Bossy would be the bust and Whitney , still kicking it 16 years later.
I remember Stojanov was marketed as the Lindros stopper.. Lindros' great nemesis. He's the guy that can fight him and physicaly stand up to him. He was suppose to be the next “Bob Probert” the heavy weight champ who can play. But yeah , something about that pick never sat right with me ,.. I think I was still awaiting the next Al MaCinnis Jason Herter to arrive.
overall , I had no idea how high guys were suppose to go except the big 3 or 4.. I remember Scott Lachance and Neidermayer were almost toss ups. I read afterwards in a post draft article , a few scouts said they would've drafed Kovalev 1st overall. |
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Jyrki21
Rebel Sell + Moneyball = Life
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1982
Location: Ottawa, ON
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Cannots Luvah wrote: |
| try actually having a Lindros quebec jersey and watch Lindros walk away... sonava! |
That's your own fault. He'd been warning the Nordiques all year that he wouldn't play for them -- he wasn't exactly subtle about it! No one's jaw dropped when he stuck by his promise on draft day.
| Cannots Luvah wrote: |
| A) the Maple Leafs traded for Tom Sexy Boy Kurvers from NJ for TO's 1991 1st rd pick |
What's funny is they did that during the 1989-90 season when they were a playoff team -- it's the ultimate example of mortgaging the future. You want another defenseman with decent offensive upside, so, "meh, it's all the way next year, and our team is clearly on the rise!" They didn't just give up the chance to draft Niedermayer, but also Forsberg and (as you noted), conceivably Lindros himself.
| Cannots Luvah wrote: |
| I remember Stojanov was marketed as the Lindros stopper.. Lindros' great nemesis. He's the guy that can fight him and physicaly stand up to him. |
Yeah, they showed that clip endlessly after he was drafted, I remember. Brilliant reason to draft a guy. And really good planning by the Canucks, when you consider that they played the Nordiques a whopping three times per season. (Unless they thought he'd be traded to a Smythe Division team, because even Norris teams only got three matchups). But boy, would Alek have those dates circled on his calendar, right??
| Cannots Luvah wrote: |
| But yeah , something about that pick never sat right with me ,.. I think I was still awaiting the next Al MaCinnis Jason Herter to arrive. |
Not to mention Gretzky Junior, Petr Nedved, who'd just finished a disappointing rookie season too.
| Cannots Luvah wrote: |
| I read afterwards in a post draft article , a few scouts said they would've drafed Kovalev 1st overall. |
What, rather than Lindros? I don't think anyone would have at the time - sounds like sour grapes.
To this day I still love the '91 draft (the OTP vets will recall my Retrospective on it during the early halcyon days of OTP). Though the 1990 draft is probably the first one I paid attention to, 1991 was the first where I had actually gotten to know the game and the players, and had thought about it in advance. Plus you had all the drama surrounding Lindros, and the NHL's first expansion team in my memory...
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Cannots Luvah
Mike Weaver jersey on order
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 1127
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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I admit I called Lindros' bluff and lost , he wasnt bluffing. A few years before , Mario did the same thing with Pitts , he refused to wear the Penghuin jersey on draft day but eventually showed up so I thought Eric would play too. So I called Lindros bluff thinking he'll show up and dominate with Sundin , Nolan , Sakic , Drunken Fogarty , Leschyshyn and Stephane Fiset for the next 10 years... I thought I was jumping on the bandwagon of the next great dynasty.
If I can further the lifeline of that Kurvers deal through a Canucks perspective.. Canucks traded Bee Brian Bradley ( Sorry thats a reference to the Killer Bees , Bee Brian Blair)... for Kurvers. Then if Im not mistaken , in one of Bee Brian Burkes' first moves as GM of the Whale , Burke , Quinn and a third team made a three way , I wanna say it was Bobby Clarke in Minnesota.. Babych sent to Vancouver , Kurvers sent to Minnesota.. forgotten guy sent to Hartford. Another great deal Quinn made. |
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