Vancouver - The last week and a half in Vancouver has been absolute madness for Canuck fans as the team has undergone several drastic changes. General Manager Greg Byron is continuing to shape the Canucks the way he sees fit and the result is a very different looking Canuck team.
THE NASLUND DEAL
Early last week it all started when Byron traded former Canuck captain Markus Naslund along with the Sedin twins to Phoenix in exchange for Shane Doan, Mike Comrie and Jeff Taffe. This deal undoubtedly marked the end of a Canucks era, the "Markus Naslund Era". All across British Columbia there was a public outcry to have Byron replaced as fans were terribly upset that captain and leader Markus Naslund was dealt.
"It was like a nightmere. I couldn't believe it when I heard the news. Naslund has been everything to us. said 47 year old, Todd Hartman, who has followed the Canucks since their birth.
The public and media continued to uproar about the trade until Byron finally addressed the public, several days afterwards.
"There is a time for change, and that time in Vancouver is now. We have been a very good hockey club the last few years but we keep coming up short. Now it is time to do something drastic and work on our weaknesses at all costs. Our team has been too soft, we have not been a playoff type team and thats what we need to be.
We have made many moves already to gain grit and toughness for the playoff run. Adding guys like White, McLaren, Sarich, Tootoo, Doan, Shanny - will help us in the long haul. Since we traded Bertuzzi, Markus has not been happy and since we respect his wishes, he was traded. The Naslund era is over here. That is all I will say regarding that." stated Byron.
LINDEN BACK AS CAPTAIN, OTHER CAPTAINS NAMED
With the trading of Markus Naslund, the Vancouver Canucks were left without a captain. This proved to be no problem though because Trevor Linden, a player who captained the Canucks for many years was still on the team. Trevor worked out a new long-term contract and took a paycut to stay with the team, the deal also includes a no-trade clause. Immediately after signing, Linden was named the Canucks captain once again.
"This is going to be wonderful. I am so glad to be staying in Vancouver and being given a chance to lead this team once again is just amazing." said the new Canucks captain.
In the same day, head coach Marc Crawford announced that Shane Doan, Mattias Ohlund and Ed Jovanovski would be the alternate captains.
- THE PROVINCE -