Nasland to Retire Number

Markus Naslund never got a proper send off from the Vancouver Canucks and their fans.

They’re making up for it in a big way.

One of the major announcements to come out of Wednesday’s Summer Summit at Rogers Arena was that as part of Markus Naslund Night on December 11, the Canucks will retire Naslund’s jersey.

Naslund will become the third Canucks player with his number retired following previous Canucks captains Stan Smyl and Trevor Linden.

The December 11th game versus the Tampa Bay Lightning will mark Naslund’s first return to the arena he called home for 12 seasons, eight as captain, and he’s anticipating the night will be one to remember as the Canucks and their fans pay tribute to one of the greatest players and people to ever wear a Canucks sweater.

“It’s going to be special and neat to have a chance to come back to the arena and I’m sure there will be a lot of memories going through my head and that I’ll be nervous too, but I’m really looking forward to it,” Naslund told Canucks.com from his home in Sweden.

“It’s definitely a great honour and I’m very humbled and thankful to Mike Gillis and the Aquilini family and the whole organization. It’s been a privilege spending such a large part of my and our family’s lives in Vancouver and having a chance to play for the Canucks for such a long time, it’s a special place for us and it always will be.”

When Naslund suited up to face the Calgary Flames on April 5, 2008, his future with the Canucks was in limbo, but certainly not over. It ended when he signed with the New York Rangers in the off-season, meaning the final game of the 2007-08 season was his last with the franchise he adored. There was no salute to Naslund as Trevor Linden had confirmed his retirement and that night was also his final outing with the Canucks. Fans gave Linden the rousing standing ovation he deserved and Naslund faded into the background.

His return to the spotlight will bring his time with the Canucks full circle and give him and his family some closure on his memorable time in Vancouver.

“For me with kids, what a special thing to have dad’s jersey up there. It’s tough to really grasp, but it’s definitely a huge thing and it’s tough to compare it to anything else.”

Welcome to the NHL

A spry 18-year-old Naslund was drafted 16th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991, opting to return to Sweden and play for Modo the following two seasons. In 1993-94 he made his NHL debut with the Pens, but it wasn’t love at first sight for either side.

Naslund struggled to get into a groove playing in North America for the first time and it wasn’t until 1995-96 that he turned things around with 52 points in 66 games. That was too little, too late for Pittsburgh as they traded Naslund to the Canucks for Alek Stojanov in one of the most lopsided deals in NHL history.

“I had visited Vancouver once or twice with Pittsburgh and I knew that it was a beautiful city. I had no idea where I was going to get traded to and when I heard the news, I was happy, but that was a long travel day,” laughed Naslund, now 36.

“It was neat to have a chance to get to know the city and the country as well, to live in Canada and play for the Canucks, I didn’t know at the time what that would mean and looking back at it, I was lucky to have a chance to get there. It’s funny how small circumstances change your life.”

It’s also funny how a seemingly small trade can change a franchise.

Naslund was a breath of fresh air to the Canucks as one of the most devoted players and community leaders the franchise has ever had.

On the ice, Nazzy was a beauty. Captain Canuck. A teammate through and through, he personified skill, effort and hard work like few others in the league. He could score too. With 346 goals and 756 points (346-410-756) in 884 games, Naslund is Vancouver’s all-time club leader in goals and points, he also led the team in scoring for a record seven consecutive seasons, giving him three benchmarks that won’t soon be eclipsed.

Number 19 was the Cyclone Taylor Trophy recipient as Canucks team MVP five times, a Lester B. Pearson Award winner as the NHL’s most outstanding player in the regular season as voted by the players and a three-time First Team All-Star.

Fond memories

It felt like Naslund did it all in Vancouver and although he achieved more than most of us ever imagined, he fell short of his ultimate goal for the Canucks.

“There are things that I had hoped to accomplish that didn’t pan out, but overall I have very fond memories and definitely nice memories. You always remember the good times and it’s true, but the ones that stand out, unfortunately, are the missed opportunities. Like when we lost to Minnesota one year and we lost to Calgary the next, those two games are the ones that bug me, both game sevens. They are still tough to get over in some ways. I think it’ll be a while before I let those ones go.”

"That being said, the years that I played with Todd and Brendan, those stand out for me because I found that we complimented each other and we had that chemistry you need to have to be successful as an offensive player. That was a special time for all of us."

Naslund isn’t sure how he’ll be remembered in the big scheme of it all, but he knows how he wants to go down in the Canucks history books.

“I want to be remembered as someone that did my best to try to help the team and someone that was trying to be honest with the media and with the fans. I always tried to be myself.”

Listening to Naslund talk about his time with the Canucks will be the highlight of the December night in his honour and despite being jittery about giving the speech, he’s going to take his time in crafting a message to the organization and the fans that will send him off in style.

We wouldn’t expect anything less from this constant professional.

"I’m pretty sure I’ll tear up"

“It’s a good opportunity to let the people know how I truly feel and talk about things that went on in my career. I’m sure I’ll be very nervous, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been a part of jersey retirements before and I know that it usually ends up being an emotional night and I’m pretty sure I’ll tear up as well.”

He won’t be alone – he never truly was. Even in harsh times when the captain had to answer for the team, Canucks fans throughout British Columbia always had his back and he’ll forever have a place in his heart for Vancouver and BC because of it.

“It’s always going to feel home to us, whether my family and I are living there or not. We’re still very much connected to the city and the people that live there. We went back after the season was done in New York a little over a year ago and spent three days just to get some closure for the kids more than anything. It was different coming back but it still holds a special place for us.

“I always had great support from my family, friends and the fans and they’ll all be a part of this night too, that’s what makes it even more special for me.”

19 joins 12 and 16

What’s in a number? For Markus Naslund, number 19 didn’t hold any meaning at first, he was simply handed a jersey with a one and a nine on the back when he made the Modo team as a 17-year-old in Sweden.

“The equipment manager gave me 19 and I wore that in Modo and for the junior national team and the national team. Brian Trottier wore it in Pittsburgh when I first got there, so I wore 29.”

In the end Naslund ended up with number 19 in Vancouver as well, and Daniel Sedin is thankful of that.

“When I was traded to Vancouver I was given number 22 because Tim Hunter was wearing 19 for the Canucks, but he left after my first season there so I asked if I could wear number 19 again and I got it.”

And in the rafters it will stay forever.

Canucks celebrate 40 Years – No Cups :(

Is goaltending the answer in the playoffs?

With all the hype these days on the Goalies, do you really think the answer lies in the hands of the men who Guard the 4x6 pipes?

Never before has there been such an abundance of pure athletic skill in the position of the goaltender.

We're seeing a huge new influx of quality netminders over the past couple seasons; Juroslav Halak, Jimmy Howard, Antti Niemi, Jonathan Quick, Tuuka Rask, Pekke Rinne, and many more. Even some of the ones that have been around for a while are gaining new skills and flourishing on sub-par teams; ie: Craig Anderson.

With that being said, has the NHL playoffs become a goaltenders duel? I believe so.

What are your thoughts?

Re-Introducing the Twins

Nino Niederreiter Creative Shootout Goal at CHL Top Prospects Skills Competition

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Canucks add a veteran on defence

DALLAS — The Canucks are getting some injury relief on defence, but not today. Minor-league defenceman Brad Lukowich has cleared re-entry waivers and will join the National Hockey League team, but won't be in today's lineup against the Dallas Stars.

Lukowich, who spent the first half of the season in the minors due to his salary not his ability, will upgrade the depth on defence after Vancouver culled Mathieu Schneider, then lost Kevin Bieksa to a serious calf and tendon injury.

Due to his salary, Lukowich, 33, required re-entry waivers and any NHL team could have claimed him for half price. Instead, the Canucks get an experienced, capable defenceman whose salary-cap hit ($1.567-million-US) is almost the same as Schneider's ($1.55 million).

Lukowich, a Cranbrook native who played junior hockey in Kamloops, has been on loan to the Stars' farm team in nearby Austin, Tex. Lukowich will join the team in Vancouver before the four-game homestand that begins Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Aaron Rome, who went from eighth to sixth on the depth chart this week, remains in the lineup for today's game. The Canucks are 2-0-1 on the road trip.

Roberto Luongo makes Team Canada

Scott Niedermayer will captain Team Canada at the 2010 Olympic Games, with Sidney Crosby, Jarome Iginla and Chris Pronger to serve as alternates.

The four players were among 23 named to Team Canada on Wednesday at an unveiling in Saskatoon, Sask.

Joining Niedermayer and Pronger on the blueline for Canada are Dan Boyle, Drew Doughty, Duncan Keith, Shea Weber and Brent Seabrook.

Rounding out Canada's forwards are Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Getzlaf, Dany Heatley, Patrick Marleau, Brenden Morrow, Rich Nash, Corey Perry, Mike Richards, Eric Staal, Joe Thornton and Jonathan Toews.

Martin Brodeur, Marc-Andre Fleury and Roberto Luongo will be between the pipes for Canada.

Here's how Team Canada breaks down:

Forwards

Patrice Bergeron, L'Ancienne-Lorette, Que. (Boston Bruins)

Sidney Crosby, Cole Harbour, N.S. (Pittsburgh Penguins) Alternate captain

Ryan Getzlaf, Regina, Sask. (Anaheim Ducks)

Dany Heatley, Calgary, Alta. (San Jose Sharks)

Jarome Iginla, St. Albert, Alta. (Calgary Flames) Alternate captain

Patrick Marleau, Aneroid Sask. (San Jose Sharks)

Brenden Morrow, Carlyle, Sask. (Dallas Stars)

Rick Nash, Brampton, Ont. (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Mike Richards, Kenora, Ont. (Philadelphia Flyers)

Corey Perry, Peterborough, Ont. (Anaheim Ducks)

Eric Staal, Thunder Bay, Ont. (Carolina Hurricanes)

Joe Thornton, St. Thomas, Ont. (San Jose Sharks)

Jonathan Toews, Winnipeg, Man. (Chicago Blackhawks)

Defence

Dan Boyle, Ottawa, Ont. (San Jose Sharks)

Drew Doughty, Ottawa, Ont. (LA Kings)

Duncan Keith, Penticton, B.C. (Chicago Blackhawks)

Scott Niedermayer, Cranbrook, B.C. (Anaheim Ducks) - Captain

Chris Pronger, Dryden, Ont. (Philadelphia Flyers) - Alternate captain

Brent Seabrook, Tsawwassen, B.C. (Chicago Blackhawks)

Shea Weber, Sicamous, B.C. (Nashville Predators)

Goalies

Roberto Luongo, Montreal, Que. (Vancouver Canucks)

Martin Brodeur, Montreal, Que. (New Jersey Devils)

Marc-Andre Fleury, Sorel, Que. (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Steve Yzerman and co. have made their decisions, but what could generate even more discussion is what players aren't on that list.

Notable forwards left out of the mix include Jeff Carter (Flyers), Shane Doan (Phoenix Coyotes),  Ryan Smyth (LA Kings), Vincent Lecavalier (Tampa Bay Lightning), Martin St. Louis (Tampa Bay Lightning), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Mike Fisher (Ottawa Senators).

Of the goalies invited to Team Canada's Olympic orientation camp in August, Cam Ward (Carolina Hurricanes) and Steve Mason (Columbus Blue Jackets) didn't make the cut.

Notable blueliners not named to the team include Mike Green of the Washington Capitals, the leading point-getting defenceman in the NHL; and Calgary Flames Dion Phaneuf and Jay Bouwmeester.

Insider note: Team Canada's brass met until midnight Tuesday, and the most discussed topic was the seventh defenceman, according to TSN analyst Pierre McGuire. The two players they were talking about: Doughty and Bouwmeester.

Team Canada opens the 2010 Olympic Games on Feb. 16 against Norway. Vancouver marks the fourth Olympic Games with full NHL participation.

CANUCKS LOOK FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN AS THEY VISIT COYOTES

Phoenix has missed out on the postseason in each of the last six seasons, but the club's strong play at home this year could put that unwanted streak to an end.

The Coyotes will try to set a club record tonight with a 10th straight win at home as they take on the Vancouver Canucks at Jobing.com Arena.

The Canucks have won three straight and seven of their last nine games. After a 6-2-0 homestand, they opened a four-game road trip with Sunday's 5-1 win in Calgary.

Mason Raymond netted the game's last three goals for his first career hat trick. The third-year winger has already set career highs this year in goals (17) and points (29) in 39 games.

"It's exciting, it's something I'll always remember," Raymond said. "It's good to get those two points, and that's big for us."

Henrik Sedin and Kyle Wellwood also scored for the Canucks, while Roberto Luongo made 29 saves in the victory.

Vancouver is four points back of first-place Colorado in the Northwest Division and currently occupies the eighth spot in the Western Conference standings.

Phoenix is hoping to make the postseason for the first time since 2001-02 and currently stands fourth in the conference with 51 points. It trails first- place San Jose by four points in the Pacific Division, but lost a point to the Sharks thanks to a 3-2 shootout loss in San Jose last night.

Ilya Bryzgalov made 36 saves, but allowed a goal in the shootout's first round. That was enough for San Jose netminder Evgeni Nabokov, who halted all three skaters he faced in the deciding frame.

"We had a couple good shots and Nabokov played really well. Both goaltenders were phenomenal tonight. You have to tip your hat to both of them, they were unbelievable," captain Shane Doan said.

Doan and Petr Prucha both scored for the Coyotes, who had a three-game overall winning streak snapped.

Phoenix now returns home, where it hasn't lost since November 16. The Coyotes' victory over the Kings on Saturday matched the club's record home winning streak of nine, first set from December 27, 1992-January 23, 1993 when the franchise was still located in Winnipeg.

The Coyotes, who are 15-5-0 at home this year and begin a three-game homestand, haven't allowed more than two goals in any of their last nine wins as the host. Bryzgalov is 15-3-0 with a 1.60 goals-against average in 18 home starts this year, but it is Jason LaBarbera who is expected to start tonight according to Phoenix's official Web site.

LaBarbera, who made eight starts with the Canucks last year, is 2-3-0 with a 2.33 GAA in six games (5 starts) this year and would make his first start since a victory in Columbus on December 17 in which he made 38 saves. He has lost both of his home starts this season.

These two clubs have split their last eight meetings overall and the last four in Phoenix.