Canucks & Beyond
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Vancouver Quotes, Innuendo and Lies
by Alanah McGinley on 06/18/08 at 11:03 AM ET
Comments (6)
1. Markus Naslund: Money Doesn’t Matter (mostly)
On his decision to play at least one more season in the NHL:
“It was not a hard decision to make with a little distance to everything. I feel very motivated to continue playing in NHL.”
and more…
Is Swedish club team Modo an option?:
“No. I want to continue playing over there [NHL], but for which club is far from done.”On what he’s seeking next NHL season:
“Money is not most important to me, I prioritize the social part, what type of hockey the team plays and which type of players they have. To play for another club in the same division would feel weird. But we will have to wait and see what happens. As I said before, most important is the social part and that they play a type of hockey that fits me.”On selling his Vancouver home:
“We sold it since I was unsure of the future. The door to Vancouver is not closed, but it is far from sure that I will end up there.”
2. Mike Gillis: Size Doesn’t Matter (to Gillis, at least)
- He says that “size doesn’t matter and “he is just as likely to choose a smaller player with more competitiveness than one with ideal height and bulk.”
- He’s willing to trade the team’s #10 first-round selection for a top-six forward.
- He’s not risking Canucks’ draft picks on Russians.
- Gillis on Ryan Walter - “I know Ryan worked with the Montreal Canadiens this year [as a consultant] and there was a noticeable difference. In talking with people from Montreal, they thought Ryan was instrumental in getting that team to be more focused, more of a team and allowing younger players to fit into the lineup in a meaningful way.”
3. Alain Vigneault: Punked (but spinning it nicely)
Vigneault admitted that he had reservations about Walter when Gillis first recommended him. Walter has no professional coaching experience and no previous relationship with Vigneault.
But Vigneault said he felt comfortable with Walter, who will look after the forwards and the power play, after the duo spent a day together in Ottawa.
“We discussed everything from systems to teaching methods,” Vigneault said. “He might not have coaching experience per se, but I think that’s where myself and [associate coach] Rick [Bowness] are going to help him get used to the NHL coaching lifestyle.”
Translation?
Gillis has put his own fox in Vigneault’s henhouse, and Viggy doesn’t like it much.
Too bad for AV. (No, not really.)
Filed in: vancouver canucks | Canucks and Beyond | Permalink
Tags: alain+vigneault, coaching, markus+naslund, mike+gillis, ryan+walter,
Comments
I know you’re being a smartass (!!) but I’d bet on it. And I also bet that Naslund—if he can play again on a team that can accept that his is not a two-way game but a purely offensive one—could have a very good season next year.
I, for one, hope he does. Even if it is Detroit. 
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 06/18/08 at 12:02 PM ET
Actually, I was only being half-smartassed (which hopefully will not be confused with half-assed). I can see it happening too, but don’t think Babcock will buy in if Naslund is selling “pure offense.” Offensive freedom with some defensive responsibility, yes. Heck, look at Hudler. People always said how bad he was defensively, but he’s become much more of a two-way player under Uncle Mike’s tutelage.
Plus, if the Wings do want to add to Tre Kronor: Detroit, I’m guessing Naslund would come a lot cheaper than Sundin.
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 06/18/08 at 12:13 PM ET
Plus, if the Wings do want to add to Tre Kronor: Detroit, I’m guessing Naslund would come a lot cheaper than Sundin.
Much cheaper. He’s a good player - wherever he winds up, I hope he’s successful. Sometimes it seemed as though the pressure of leadership on the Canucks was going to eat the poor man alive. He seemed so uncomfortable.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/18/08 at 05:16 PM ET
Oh, and I love this comment:
To play for another club in the same division would feel weird.
Just because so many fans feel exactly the same way when players on their favorite team go to another team in the same division, too.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/18/08 at 05:18 PM ET
Yeah, Naslund is saying all the ‘right’ things right now, but at least he’s being less vague than other players are...ahem Mats Sundin.
I’m just wondering what team-style of play suits him more....Edmonton? Florida? Toronto?
All I can say is good riddance. Sure, he was a prolific scorer for a while there, but I don’t care. I want to see a gutsy captain that actually has a set of nuts.
Posted by Sean Zandberg from Smithers on 06/18/08 at 07:24 PM ET
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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.
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Reading between the lines, it sounds to me like Naslund is jonesing for “little Sweden” in Novi (or is it Northville?), MI and some good old European-influenced puck possession hockey. Wonder if Kenny and Uncle Mike are interested?
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 06/18/08 at 11:56 AM ET