An Open Response to Daniel Sallows: 10 Reasons Nucks Will Be Better in '09

10. Markus Naslund factor

First things first, Markus Naslund has been one of the greatest offensive players in Vancouver Canucks history.  Having said that, the last few years it has become evident that Naslund isn’t even close anymore to the player he once was.  The $6 million in salary cap relief the Canucks are getting from the possible loss of Naslund would allow the team to go out and pursue either 1 other “star” player worth $6+ million, or 2, solid 20 goal scorers for around $3 million each. 

There is also the Captain factor.  Although I can’t comment on what kind of a leader Markus Naslund is, it just feels like it’s time for the team to be taken in a new direction leadership wise.  Having a guy like Willie Mitchell or even Ryan Kesler named captain would bring some much needed new life into the franchise with someone willing to lead by example.  Naslund is capable of that when he’s scoring, but when he’s not he’s invisible.  Having someone like Kesler or Mitchell as captain would allow more of a physical tone to be set, which is something that can be relied on night in and night out in a new team identity.  

9. Alain Vigneault still the coach

How quickly everyone forgets who won coach of the year in 2007.  Alain Vigneault is the right choice to stay on as the coach of the club.  Has anyone stopped for a minute to think that maybe injuries could’ve played a role in the demise of the Canucks in 07-08?  Maybe not having your top 6 defensemen going into the season play a single game together throughout the entire season, and having it get so desperate Zack Fitzgerald had to play NHL minutes (don’t worry if you don’t know who he is, I don’t either) hurt a little bit?  Just a little?

Vigneault had extensive meetings with Gillis, and it was obvious that Gillis feels confident Vigneault is the man for the job going forward.  No one really knows if Vigneault is capable of changing the team’s style of play, because he only had the personnel to play one style of hockey since he’s been here.  Really, if you look at the roster from 06-07, can you honestly tell me that team should have set a franchise record for wins, and points in a season?  It certainly is not the most talented roster the team has ever had, and much of the credit for this has to go to Vigneault.

8. Sedin twins

First things first, anyone expecting the Sedin Twins to be 100 point a year players are expecting too much of them.  Having said that, Daniel is a former 36 goal scorer, and Henrik is the all time franchise leader in assists in a season.  Those are pretty impressive numbers.  First line, or second line, it doesn’t really matter, you’d expect a 30 goal scorer, and a guy who consistently finishes in the top 10 in the NHL in assists per season to be making $5+ million a season, right?  Wrong.  The Sedin Twins make $3.575 million a season on their current contract, which is an unbelievable value for what they provide the team.  Can they carry a franchise on their shoulders?  No, they can’t.  Are they one hell of an effective “1B” type line?  Yes, they are.

7. Mike Gillis

Anyone judging Mike Gillis before he’s even made a single player move is out of their minds.  Every General Manager has been a rookie GM at one time or another.  Gillis very well could turn out to be a disaster, but there’s an equal chance he could turn out to be brilliant.  The fact of the matter is, there is nothing to go on to judge him by right now.

6. Under rated defense

Willie Mitchell is one of the most underrated defensemen in the league.  He’s an absolute horse on the penalty kill.  A guy you can count on night after night to shut down the other team’s best players.  Add to that Mattias Ohlund, the teams most well rounded defenseman.  Consistently puts up solid, but unspectacular offensive numbers while being steady defensively and fairly physical. Sami Salo, an injury prone, but very effective 3^rd guy when he’s healthy.  Alexander Edler, who looks to have first pairing potential, Kevin Bieksa, who is as tough as they come and has the potential to be a solid 2^nd pairing guy, and Luc Bourdon who even if he “flops” will almost certainly still be a decent depth player.

Although the defense battled injuries last year, the only one you can call “injury prone” is Salo.  Ohlund had only missed a combined 9 games in the 3 season prior to last year, and Mitchell consistently plays 70+ games a season.  The only thing really missing from the Canucks defense is a true power play quarterback, but when you have 6 guys as solid as the Canucks have with not a single one making more than $4 million, I don’t see how you can say that’s anything but underrated.

5. Trevor Linden factor

What factor?  As much as I love Trevor Linden (my favourite player of all time, for the record) if he retires there really is not much of a factor to be had here.  The only thing the team may miss is his locker room presence.  I believe Linden is still a very serviceable 3^rd/4^th liner, but I don’t see how losing him would have major implications on the Canucks playoff hopes of 08/09.

4. The uniforms

This is a joke, correct?  Satire?

Next.

3. The fans

You’re right about ticket prices.  The casual fan is being “priced out” of many tickets and the lower bowl often is much more docile than the upper bowl in GM Place. Unfortunately, this is happening in many of the Canadian hockey markets.  Having said that, I don’t suppose you’ve been to a Canucks playoff game recently, have you?  Having been at game 7 of the Stars series in 07, I can tell you that the atmosphere is not a problem when it counts.  Oh, and the towels haven’t gone anywhere, they’re just saved for playoff time.

2. Scouting

Scouting is somewhat of an issue in Vancouver, yes.  But will someone please explain to me how Vancouver’s poor scouting for the draft in 2008 will keep them out of the playoffs that very same season?  It doesn’t make any sense in an argument against Vancouver making the playoffs in the same year.

Also, I don’t understand why Vancouver’s scouting gets ragged on as much as it does.  Is it up there with the likes of the Red Wings?  No, but who is?  Going into 2008-2009 the Canucks will have at least 8 players on the opening night roster that are former Canuck draft picks, including #1 defenseman Mattias Ohlund, 1st (or 2nd) liners the Sedin Twins, future selke candidate Ryan Kesler, and possible future 1st pairing defensemen Alex Edler and Luc Bourdon.  Seems decent to me.

1.Roberto Luongo Factor

First of all, Mike Gillis has already sat down with Roberto Luongo.  Gillis has said in interviews that Luongo has said that he loves Vancouver and is absolutely committed to winning here, and wants to be here.  Roberto Luongo is THE reason the Canucks will make the playoffs in 08/09.  With the birth of his baby coming near the end of the 07/08 season, it is understandable that his mind may have been elsewhere when the Canucks needed him 100% focused.  The point I’m trying to make is, if you know anything about Roberto Luongo, you know he hates losing.  That is why he wants to play 75 games a year, why he wants to partake in optional skates the day after a team has played 3 games in 4 nights and why he will be a Vezina candidate again in 08-09.