Canucks & Beyond
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Five Stages of Grief for Canucks Fans
by Alanah McGinley on 07/18/08 at 02:55 PM ET
Comments (15)
There are 5 stages of grieving, typically understood to be: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance.
When it comes to Mats Sundin, Vancouver fans have gone through all of them lately. Here’s the breakdown:
- Denial: 1 minute after contract was publicized—“The Canucks seriously offered a 37 year old player $20 million for two years?! No! That can’t be true.”
- Anger: 2 hours later—“This team is losing its fu#&ing marbles. Fire Mike Gillis or make me a Ducks fan.”
- Bargaining: 36 hours after entering this unfamiliar world of big money—“If Sundin does sign in Vancouver, at least fans will have something to cheer about. Here’s a deal for the Hockey Gods: If Mats signs, I’ll quit trashing Gillis and stick with trashing Vigneault.”
- Depression: 72 hours of painful reflection later—“Even $20 million apparently isn’t enough to sign on with this Canucks freakshow. Why does the bad man hate us so much?”
- Acceptance: 192 hours after it all began—“Maybe he’ll sign, maybe he won’t. At least we’ve got that Bernier dude, right? I’ve just gotta look up his stats again and pretend I know who the #$@* he is...”
It’s been a roller coaster.
But ‘Acceptance’ wasn’t the end of it. 18 days since it began, the ups and downs continue. I don’t think I can stay on this crazy train any longer.
Reasons I no longer give a damn if Sundin comes to Vancouver:
- Because I just quit smoking. I’m too busy trying not to rip the heads off live chickens and small children. Sundin’s probably a lot safer in Sweden at the moment.
- Because it’s his choice, and his loss or gain. If he’s in no rush, why should I care? While he goes fishing and ponders deep thoughts about his life, I’ll mix cocktails and pretend none of this ever happened.
- Because Jason Krog is a superstar in the making. (Don’t argue. Refer to #1...)
And the list could go on.
Ultimately, I just think Mats Sundin is trying to kill Canucks fans. We have to save ourselves… 
Filed in: dumb stuff, vancouver canucks | Canucks and Beyond | Permalink
Tags: mats+sundin,
Comments
“Even $20 million apparently isn’t enough to sign on with this Canucks freakshow. “
Love it!
Posted by Devin from Victoria on 07/18/08 at 02:47 PM ET
You quit smoking???! I would too but my momma didn’t raise no quitter! 
Hilarious post! I needed that laugh today. Sundin is not going to make his mind up anytime soon, so yeah, we should go to the beach and get hammered rather than wait for him.
I have been a huge Sundin fan for so long, that I can’t help but at least feel excited at the notion that he “might” play here. But I have to discipline myself not to be too upset if he doesn’t....
THEN GILLIS WILL PULL A MONSTER TRADE!
Posted by Zandberg from Smithers on 07/18/08 at 03:08 PM ET
What stage is it when the involuntary vomit jumps into the throat when reading management’s latest tactic (since simply joining the team didn’t work and being the highest paid player in the league didn’t work) is to sell him on the Olympics in two years?
Posted by Mike from NYC on 07/18/08 at 03:21 PM ET
seriously you gotta get your head out of the canuck fans cloud of cynicality.
Seriously take 3 deep breaths and take a step back then re-evaluate Mike Gillis so far.
He drafts Cody Hodgson. BPA and could be future captain material
He lets the overaged declining UFA’s walk. Thats what everyone eanted 3 months ago then when it happens people lose it Classic Canucks Paranoia.
He doesnt give long term deals to over payed over ratted UFA’s that arent in the prime.
Everything he has done is going in a positvie direction to rebuilding this club PROPERLY. Adding Bernier, Wellwood who provide more youth. Demitra who will provide 60 points, and He hasnt blocked the propects from moving up as they is room for them to flourish now.
he has built a money ball back six and forward and defensive depth in Ryan Johnson the leading blocker of the league among forwards. and Heavyweight who is more than willing to take on the Laraques of the league unlike Cowan who is more of a middleweight.
Overall Gillis hasnt missed a beat he said once he came in there would be changes and their has been. He also said we werent close to a cup and he isnt trying Bandaid us to one. MG is properly rebuild the Canucks Roster.
Posted by Tyler from Langley on 07/18/08 at 03:44 PM ET
I am climbing aboard the KrogWagon. So long Mats, thanks for not taking all that cash.
Posted by SeattleRich on 07/18/08 at 03:57 PM ET
hey tyler from langley, every one of the players that gillis has brought in has serious baggage that might ultimately make them poor signings. either they’re soft, or injury prone, or have a questionable work ethic, or aren’t a clear upgrade over the guy that played last year and was allowed to walk without even an offer. lots of question marks, no sure things.
granted there were precious few players available that were sure things, but being stuck with a lot of second and third choices shouldn’t fill anyone with confidence that the canucks will be better this year than they were last year. they might, they might not.
confident and happy canuck fans right now remind me of guys in the bar around closing time, lowering their standards so they don’t go home empty handed.
Posted by bitterguy on 07/18/08 at 05:11 PM ET
Heh, “bitterguy” is definitely an appropriate handle there…
Posted by nick from vancouver, bc, canada on 07/18/08 at 06:36 PM ET
Andrew - Thanks!
Devin - Glad to know my dark cynicism is appreciated.
Zandberg - Good you can still laugh. It’s been tough to do lately! I’m modestly hopeful for Sundin, too.
Mike - Does the reference to “involuntary vomit” mean there is such thing as “voluntary vomit”? Oh wait… bulimia!
Tyler - I respect optimists; I used to be one. I hope you comment more often… perhaps your positive attitude will rub off on me.
SeattleRich - All Aboard the KrogWagon!
Bitterguy - I also respect cynicism at the moment. I’m very conflicted…
Baroque - Thanks! But I gotta tell ya: I’m not fun to be around at the moment.
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 07/19/08 at 11:29 AM ET
As for the not smoking...keep it up...I’ve been “clean” for a little over 5 years (after 19 years of smoking) and it’s great. It does get easier, you will finally stop thinking about it every other minute and when you realise that you have actually quit for good you’ll feel amazing.
Keep it up!
Posted by Devin from Victoria on 07/19/08 at 11:57 AM ET
so I’m reading your post Alanah, and I see this ad for the Detroit Stanely Cup video and it says “BELOW RETAIL!” and I think “thats ironic. the wings are definitely NOT below retail price...”
then I think, the NHL is a lot like Amazon.com. You see, the list price for a great player is a big number and you slightly cringe inside… then you see the “used/not-so-new” option and notice the price is a lot lower and suddenly the used player seems very appealing.
Now I understand the Toronto/NYR mentality ... shoot… and Gillis’ too! (Krog was definitely in the bargain bin...)
Posted by LOUiE from cowtown on 07/19/08 at 11:03 PM ET
Congrats for quitting smoking! That is one great step you took
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About Canucks & Beyond
Alanah McGinley has been blogging hockey since 2003, sharing opinions, rants and not-so-deep thoughts with anyone who will listen. In addition to writing Canucks & Beyond and helping manage Kukla’s Korner, Alanah is one of the founders and co-hosts of The Crazy Canucks Podcast, as featured at Canucks.com.
She has contributed pieces to FoxSports.com and the New York Times Slapshot blog, as well as other stray destinations in cyberspace.
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brilliant.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 07/18/08 at 02:15 PM ET