After losing three crucial games to divisional rivals, who would have thought the Canucks were going to come out flat and get whipped 4-0 by the Wild?
Another four point game gone down the tubes. Now the Canucks are in ninth place with four games left and are at the mercy of other teams for a playoff spot. I sure didn’t see that one coming, though I guess I should have expected it.
Year after year, the outcome doesn’t change nor does it get any easier to bear. One would think that Canuck fans would be used to losing, sometimes missing the playoffs by a point, and then the cherished times of making it to the second round only to taken out.
We won’t even talk about the '94 playoffs. It’s still too painful.
The team has been around for nearly 40 years, and what do they have to show for it? Two trips to the Stanley Cup Finals, which of course they lost both times. Even the Ducks, Canes and Lightning have won the coveted Cup and they came into the league years after the Canucks.
Only the St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings have been around longer with no Stanley Cup victories.
However, the difference between other teams that haven’t won the cup and the Canucks is that the Canucks boast the third most expensive tickets in the NHL. Plus, they have extremely loyal fans; GM Place has been sold out for over 200 consecutive games.
That's only because it’s a Canadian Team, while not a rational argument to some, it's a valid one to a Canadian.
So basically, the Canucks can lose and lose, yet fans remain loyal and continue to believe. Oh yeah, did I mention how expensive the tickets are?
Is that called loyalty or insanity? Being a faithful fan for over 20 years, I have always said loyalty, but taking a look back at the time and money spent, plus all the heartbreak, well, perhaps it’s time to rethink this whole loyalty thing.
Though putting money and time aside, the heartbreak has got to be the worst. A guy might call the heartbreak something else, not sure what, but it’s heartbreaking to see your team lose year after year.
The saddest thing is that for the past few years, Canucks fans are happy just to make it into the playoffs. Making it into the second round is a bonus. But when they don’t advance past the second round, it’s still disappointing because somewhere deep down, you were really hoping and praying that this would be the year.
But it hasn’t been. So you try to make yourself feel better by saying, "Next year. For sure, they will win the Cup next year." Well, "next year" never seems to come.
Isn’t it time that the Canucks organization puts together a team that actually has a chance of winning the Cup? A team that is worthy of all the loyalty and the price tag of season tickets?
They need to forget about getting by with a half-way decent team. The outcome of that is more than just fan disappointment in the moment, but disappointment further down the line as well. It affects their draft pick.
The Canucks have only had one top ten draft pick since 2000, and that was Luc Bourdon, who has yet to become a regular in the Canucks' lineup.
Basically, the Canucks aren’t getting any closer to winning the Cup with the current roster, nor does the future look all that bright as the farm team has slim pickings.
This mediocrity that the Canucks seem to be stuck in just breeds more mediocrity. They need to go into a rebuilding stage; hit rock bottom and get some good draft picks, like the Penguins did and the Blackhawks are doing.
But to rebuild, they actually have to have a decent scouting team. The Canucks scouts can’t find talent worth a damn, and that is probably the most detrimental to the Canucks and their chances of winning the Cup.
Plus, on a side note, when choosing the next captain, make it a Canadian. Nothing against non-Canadian players, but history shows if you want to win the Cup, the “C” better be by a Canadian.
So when it all boils down, does it really matter if the Canucks make it into the playoffs this year?
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3 months ago
Very well written Cindy. We can all agree that the Canucks need a complete identity change starting from the coaching staffs and the drafting staffs. Dave Pratt, on his shows, made many of the same comment about the current situation the Canucks is facing. Let's face it. It was more than mere luck that team won division title and made it to second round last year. It was all Luongo. AV's Jack Adams is nothing more than the individual efforts of Roberto Luongo who carried the team single handedly.
You're also correct that the first round draft picks we had were basically useless. Can anyone name a Canucks first round pick who stayed in the team and retired or will retired as a Canucks who is also an impact player? First of all, Cam Neely is out because he's remembered as a Boston Bruins. Second, that also means Pavel Bure is out because Bure is a 6th round pick from 89. That means there is only one player who quality the description: Trevor Linden. Unless the team can make better decision with their picks, especially first round. Vancouver will never be a playoff team.
To add to the point, here are some of the draft histories the Canucks had since 89. If you see the complete list, it will shock anyone.
89: in first round, we picked Jason Herter who played 1 game in the NHL but we missed Mike Sillinger, Adam Foote, Nicklas Lidstrom. In fact, beside, Pavel Bure, no one who was drafted by the Canucks that year played more than 100 games.
90: We drafted Petr Nedved in first round but missed, Jaromir Jagr, Mike Ricci, Keith Tkachuk, Martin Brouder, and Doug Weight
91: we drafted Alek Stojanov in the 1st round who had a total of 222 PIM, 107 games, 2 goals, and 5 assist in his career, but missed Markus Naslund, and Michael Nylander
92: Libor Polasek in 1st round and played 0 games in the NHL. We missed Valeri Bure
93: Mike Wilson who played 336 games, 16 goals, 41 assist, and 264 PIM and we missed Todd Bertuzzi, Brendan Morrison, Bryan McCabe, Rory Fitzpatrick (the ultimate all star player), Miroslav Satan, and Pavol Demitra. Worst of all, except for Scott Walker, none of the pick for the Canucks that year have more than 200 points in their career.
94: We picked Ohlund, who is pretty good with the Canucks but we missed Daniel Alfredsson, Tomas Vokoun, and Steve Sullivan. Considering that year Jovo was the number 1 pick by Florida and the only impact player in the first round pick and from that year, Ohlund was a good pick
96: Josh Holden, Canucks 1st round pick, played 60 games, 5 goals, 9 assist, 14 points and 16 PIM. We missed Zdeno Chara, Daniel Briere, and Sami Salo. Worst of all, none of the Canucks pick that year played more than 100 points and let alone scored more than 50 career points.
97: Brad Ference, played total of 250 games, with 4 goals, 30 assist, and 565 PIM. We missed Marian Hossa and Brenden Morrow.
98: Bryan Allen, 298 games, 18 goals, 39 assist, 400 PIM and we missed Alex Tanguay, Simon Gagne, Scott Gomez, Brad Richards
99: We drafted the Sedin Twins... who are so far the best first round picks in the the previous 10 years.
2000: Nathan Smith and played 4 games in the NHL. We missed Matthew Lombardi who was drafted by Edmonton and now playing for the Flames and is a Canucks killer.
01: Umberger played 154 games and have 66 points but never played for the Canucks. We missed Mike Cammalleri
Finally in 03: we have Kesler who we all know will be an impact player
05: we draft Luc Bourdon but Anze Kopitar who was drafted right after him played 72 games and have 61 points already. We also missed Paul Stastny. Not a knock on Luc Bourdon. I'm a great fan but we missed out on one of the two impact players.
To add to the point, the Canucks need to better position themselves in the draft order in the next few years and be smart with the picks. Otherwise Canucks fan such as Cindy and myself will continue to be disappointed.
PS Cindy, see you at voice lesson
from 3 months ago
Hey Leo, great input on the draft picks... now I am even more upset with who we could have had and who we actually have. The whole Bourdon - Kopitar situation didn't even make sense at the time... it makes even less sense now.
The whole thing with Umberger was so stupid too. The Canucks could have kept him for another $200,000 but Burke was too egotistical and lost him for nothing.
Look at the Red Wings draft picks, not all of their first round picks turned out but they took Datsyuk 151 overall in 1998 and in 1999 Henrik Zetterberg 210the overall. Now that is some scouting.
Regardless of what happens in the playoffs come May, I will be cheering for my favorite team of all time. Team Canada - at the IIHF Championships in Quebec - they are pure GOLD. The pride in your Nations team is so different from your NHL team. But that is another article. I'll post my dream team for Team Canada... Yes I have dream team - its for the 2010 Olympics... Yeah I know - get a life right?
I am going to the Gold Medal IIHF game this year - can't wait.
I guess the next few days will be spent watching a multitude of hockey games - statistical analysis and hoping teams that I don't even like win so the Canucks and Sens make it to the playoffs. I just can't seem to help setting myself up for disappointment...
3 months ago
I guess I would call it "insanity", but then, I am biased... and Leo also made good points in the above comment.
3 months ago
Great article, I feel your pain, I write about the pain also... What else can we do?
from 3 months ago
We can hope that Dave Nonis gets some - guts over the summer and doesn't resign Naslund or Morrison and goes after some skilled players that don't cave under pressure. I like Naslund and Morrison but it is time for a change.
3 months ago
Trade the Sedins... It pains me to say it, but if we could get a guy like Malkin, or Martin St. Louis, I think we would be better off. Naslund and Morrison need a great player that can make them top liners again, and guys like Kesler and Burrows can hold their own on the second line playing with a guy like Pyatt.
from 3 months ago
I agree the Canucks should trade the twins - it would have to be for a guy like Thorton (wishfull thinking?) - Malkin - I don't think that the Penguins would give him up - though in his contract year they might as they have sign Crosby and Fluery - they probably wont be able to keep them all as that would be half the payroll.
from 3 months ago
Trade the Sedins for Malkin or St. Louis is not going to happen. Can you imagine, Malkin is now second in points in the NHL. His NHL contract is less than a million. He had 83 points in 06-07 and and have 103 points and on paste for 108 to 110 points this year and possibly the Hart trophy winner this year. Let's look at this. Malkin is under paid, over work, and produced so much in his second year. What GM in their right mind will trade him? As a matter of fact, if the Pens GM is smart, he wouldn't trade Malkin and add some defense instead next year for a run at the cup.
St. Louis's contract is 6 million dollar but he's playing great with Vinnie. The Lightning just got Mike Smith whose contract is also under a million. If they're going to add anything to the team will be defense instead.
Here is the problem with trading the Sedins. Henrik is 5th in assist in the NHL and has 15 goals and 58 assist and 73 points. Daniel has 72 points, 29 goals, 43 assist. Both of them have one more year on their contract and their contract is 3.575 million dollar each player. It is expecting that their salary will go up to 5 million each. If any GM would take the Sedins, he know that the Canucks will demand a top roaster player or the face of their organization, a few top prospects. The main challenge is that it's their contract year next season. It will cost the team 10-11 million to re-sign both of them and it will take alot of the cap room. The risk is pretty high and not to mention, it may not be a good trade for the Canucks either.
So here are some key points we should consider for the Canucks and its fans, the Canucks have the history of some of the worst draft picks ever. The only first round picks who left monumental marks to the NHL so far are Cam Neely and Trevor Linden. However, Cam Neely is remembered as a Bruins. Second, the Canucks fans, including myself, have always been loyal to the team. The evidence are over 200 consecutive sold out games and a pack GM place when the new jersey revealed day. Now the team is in danger of losing some of the most die hard fan if they continue the road unless they've addressed the drafting and coaching problems. Third, the Canucks fans have the worst habit of cherry picking. No offense, sometimes including myself, we tend to make a few comments who we should trade for and who should go so we can make a perfect team. The reality is making a trade is just not as simple as we all may think. For example, during the dead line, half the town is talking about the possibility of Brad Richards coming to Vancouver and we can just trade Cory Schnieder for him or we can get Marian Hossa at the price of a Luc Bourdon. We tent not to consider that if we trade for a high profile player, it requires the team to pay the price. The reason for the way we think is the Bertuzzi Luongo trade and the Naslund trade. The Canucks somehow got a way to make some of the most lop sided trades in the NHL history.
3 months ago
I want to like the Canucks since my parents live in vancouver. It is a great city too. However every time I watch them I just feel there is something missing. The defense overall is just not up to the high level needed to be a top contender. Perhaps I am too used to watching the Sharks and Ducks etc. Winning battles along the boards in your own zone is key. Having only one line that is an offensive threat is too easy to shut down.
from 3 months ago
I totally agree - what is missing is heart. Plus a power forward - Sharks have Thorton and Ducks have Burtuzzi. When the Canucks had Burtuzzi they played a different game. Now they are trying to play like the Wild and it doesn't work for them. Nor for the fans because its boring hockey - not to say that I don't watch every games still!
3 months ago
Cindy is right. The heart is missing in the Canucks. Let's look at other teams and ask this simple question. Why are they so successful? The Avs has Sakic. The Flames has Iggy, Phaneuf, and Kipper. Washington has Ovechkin. The Pens has Crosby and Malkin. Even the Wilds has Gabrik and Demitra Now let's look at our line up. Who is the heart of the team this year? Please don't say Luongo because his heart is else where this year. We need a player with a fire in him to lead the team on the ice.
We now can't say Trevor Linden because when they took that C away from him and give it to Messier, it sucked the life out of him and he hasn't been the same. Naslund is just not the same player we saw back in 01 when Bertuzzi made that stupid mistake.
Now here is the question all Canucks should ask. Who should lead the team next year since it's Naslund's contract year? We can all agree that we won't see Naslund come back as much as we love him. He needs a change in career. I can't see Linden to become the Captain again as much as I would love it. He may be able to play 20-40 games a season.
from 3 months ago
Don't you think Linden will retire this year?? They have totally disrepected him. He had 15 goals (or so) last year and what do they do - they bench him this year because he is too old. He damn well raced all over Europe in the summer for fun while other lazy players sat around!! I know 15 goals aren't a lot but for $600,000 its damn good especially with everthing else he brings to the table (great article on www.nhl.com written today).
Don't even get me started on the line they put him on - with Cowan?? What happened to keeping a right handed shot on the PP with the twins? It worked last year - this year daniel has gone now 23 games straight without a PP goal.
I really do hope that they show up tonight against the Flames. The Canucks usually do play a good game against the Flames and Oilers – a true Canadian style hockey.
Nashville only picked up one point today so the Cancucks are back in the driver seat if they can win the nex four games - yes I do have faith that they can.
3 months ago
Yup, heart is what is missing. The team has taken the identity of their Captain, as most do. Their Captain unfortunately is weak. I remember naslund coming over from Pitts, he overachieved since being here with the help of Bert, without Bert he's back to his old self.
What bugs me is: I never see naslund react to anything; I never him chew out his linemates; I never see him take ownership (he always says "we" instead of "I"); he admitted they "choked" (what other athlete in pro sports has ever said such blasphemy?); the twins might as well be clones of naslund (gutless, scared, disappear when they are relied upon). Losing at crunch time doesn't phase them, they are too comfortable losing, it makes me sick.
I'm not a huge Grapes supporter but I think there is something to be said about Canadian players over Euros when it comes time to winning a Cup (and hell, I'm a Euro!).
It hurts me because I love this team. I have loved this team before the guys that are destroying it ever showed up and I will long after they are gone.
I have tried hard to support nonis and av but I just can't anymore. nonis doesn't have the bollocks needed and he overvalues the players he has (isbister/ritchie is who he got when scoring was our #1 issue last summer?). av recently was making excuses (wtf?), plus his line juggling all season and decision to leave #16 out of line up at times was asinine, he's created this rift among his players. Then the dump and chase? Are you serious? I'm just done with av, had quite enough of this coat tail rider (Luongo knows what I'm talking about).
Note: I intentially did not Capitalize certain names above.
Go Canucks Go!
from 3 months ago
LOL! The Euro comment does have some merrit - but I am very biased -
What you say about loving this team long after the players are gone is so true. Some of the players will go wherever the money takes them but this is the only team we have.
3 months ago
At least Vancouver Fans dont have to take as much as Maple Leaf fans
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