Simpson on Hockey

I think the Canucks are slowly moving towards a puck-possession team identity akin to the Detroit model. Nazzy's game is more suited for a counterpunching style: aggressive forechecking to create instant offence. A counterpunch style is like skating on thin ice; and, as the man says, "when skating on thin ice, our safety is in our speed." Not enough of the Canucks have that explosive instant speed needed. Can Nazzy be effective in the puck-possession model? Of course he can. But as a second-liner, not a first-liner.

What the Canucks really need, of course, is a centre with offensive skills who can actually win faceoffs. Kesler is good on the dots, of course, but he is a third-liner (at least for now). Morrison is better than H. Sedin; but then, Henrik is possibly the worst #1 centre for faceoffs in the NHL -- he ranks 65th in the NHL among faceoff leaders.

Until the Canucks comprise their top line of Canadian players they will never win in the playoffs. There have been only two non-Canadian Conn Smythe winners in the history of the NHL, Leetch and Lidstrom. Having said that, they had equally as good Canadian players on their team that easily could have won the award. The Canucks need to trade the Sedin's for young guns like Getzlaf and Perry. Of course, that trade may have been possible a couple years ago but not anymore. They should also start drafting more Canadian players and consider trading Schneider for a Cogliano type player. The salary cap only limits what you spend on your NHL roster of players; there's no limit on what you can spend on scouting. Luongo only has two more years left and they better start showing some improvement or he's good as gone. I can't imagine Luongo playing his entire career without winning a cup, it's just a matter of where and when he wins it, so put a good team full of Canadians in front of him and keep him for life and the Canucks will have their cup.

Naslund's best days are over 5 years ago. He can't even produce playing with the Twins, so don't expect too much out of him unless he plays on the Left wing with Sid the kid and Joe Thornton on right side. Even then, you can't guarantee that he'll give you the numbers.

wouldn't naslund fit great with sudin in to...i don't would they click...6 mill to much though how about 4...

Naslund has been an overpaid over rated player for quite some time. Why is it that ever year the top paid players on the Canucks rarely show up at the crunch. Put an average goalie in Vancouver then everyone will see what a below average team they have been building for 37 years. Naslund has to take a lot of the heat, 6 million a year for a player with 3 line line stats. If the Canucks sign him again then I recommend that all Vancouver fans start looking around for another team as it is too obvious that as long as the rink is full don't bother ever to dream of a Stanley Cup.

No doubt Brian Burke will see Naslunds value and pick him up, possibly to play with Bert. While off topic it has to be said - Canucks lost a beaut when they let Burke go.

I think he'd be a good fit on a line with Sid. The Pens will have some cap juggling to do in the next few years, and it may be a good financial fit for both of them. He'd certainly have a chance to finally win a cup, and his career would be full circle.

So many Canucks fans want to see this guy leave. However, when you look at the free agents available, only Joe Sakic is a better prospect and would cost a fortune. In fact, both Naslund and Morrison are way ahead of the rest and just look at the points they get compared to the other unrestricted free agents.

I'm hoping he pulls a Selanne and retires then comes back towards the end of next season. Lets Vancouver move the captaincy and also use the cap space to add a RW for the Sedins and hopefully build a second line.

Naslund should have been traded 2 years ago. His salary and his talent do not make him an attractive player. But he needs a fresh start or two with other teams to get his mind back on his job or he might consider retirement.

At 34, he is still a very good productive player, and with the right fit as a centre I think he has a lot left to give.

I fear Mr. Simpson has been inhaling Lepages. On what does he base the above? Why do hockey people fall in love with aging former stars and refuse to let go? Naslund has demonstrated a multiyear pattern of decline. If he were a real leader, he would have admitted he was done last summer and let Nonis use the $6-million on a players or players in their prime. Instead Mr. Greed came back to collect the money and get outplayed bu Burrows, a 4th line player who was in the East Coast league only a short time ago. Yes, Naslund is no longer as good as a ball hockey player. It seems a lot of Canucks fans are hoodwinked by visits to sick kids, ect. to see Naslund dispassionately. My hope is that Naslund still has the skills to contribute to MoDo and that the Canucks GM (who I hope is no longer Nonis) spends money elsewhere. Capworld does not reward nostalgia.

His best days are behind him. Canucks would
best spend the big $$ on someone else if
they are serious about a cup. He does not
seem to fit with current Canuck team and play.
Need a leader like Jerome Iginla.

I disagreed with him being made captain.He didn't want it and it shows.The Sedins were starting and camp was in Sweden so he got it .Jovo should still be there as captain.Naslund is ,simply,NOT a leader.He has floated for the last 2 seasons and should go elsewhere.I don't care if he gets 50 NEXT year,the point being,he is NOT doing it this year for $6 Mill.I will also agree with people who say the Swedish experiment is OVER.Naslund is gone,Morrison,at 3.2 mill should be gone and trade the Sedins.Look at the cap space you would have.Bring up some farm hands,sign Sean Avery and others with balls.Say what you want...the guy can play.

Six million bucks should buy you 40 goals and 100 points. Naslund, though a great guy, is giving the Canucks about half of what they need. Same with Morrison. They had some magic 6 or 7 years ago with Bertuzzi but it's gone. The Sedins are second line players who are never going to make anyone forget Spezza-Heatley or LeCavalier-St Louis. The only untouchables are the D-men but defence doesn't win games, it keeps you from losing them. I think Vigneault has done a great job with a system that has helped a team with no guns actually win games. Nonis can say he loves the team he has but they have too many of the same kind of players: middling single-digit scorers like Ritchie, Isbister and Pettinger. The Canucks need to do some wheeling and dealing to find new magic.

With the right center, I believe Naslund still has a 40 goal season left in him. But I don't think the canucks can fit him in the cap and the type of quality passer he needs without dumping 3+ million in salary and naslund taking a big discount. I'd love for him to stay in Van but career wise it's probably better if he move on. I'd hate to see him end his career like Linden is doing. One way or another, either morrsion, naslund, or both should be gone in the off season. My guess is Vigneault and Nonis would prefer to keep morrison.

I heard Montreal was going to trade Price for a 4th round draft pick in hopes of making cap space for Naslund in the off season.

GO HABS

great article, great player, great future!

I totally agree. As a long time Canuck/Naslund fan, even I have to admit that it may be better for both him and the team to part ways. What I don't understand is why Nonis didn't trade him during the year. He clearly isn't a good fit here anymore and the interest that he will generate in the off season will make it difficult for Vancouver to re-sign him at a discounted rate. If we had traded him before the deadline, we could have made an interesting deal. Now we will watch him walk away for free. Too bad Nonis won't go with him.

Good article. Naslund's problems stem more from Vigneault's more defensive-minded game than from his own lack of effort. And excellent point about the Sedin's down-low cycle vs Naslund's high flying scoring-off-the-rush style being the main reason he isn't paired with them every night. The Canucks have been a one-line scoring team the last few years, but now it's a different line. Where it used to be Naslund, Morrison, Bertuzzi it's now the Sedin's and Pyatt and that leaves no room for Naslund on that line and no high-talent help for him to play on a line with. He's now the odd man out and letting him go to free-agency (if the Canucks so choose) isn't a sign of Naslund's diminishing talent but more a sign that with the new players and new coach there's just no room anymore for his trademark style of play, and any team would be lucky to have him.

He might look good on the wing with Crosby if he doesn't want too much money. He'd be a much cheaper option than keeping Hossa.

Markus has always conducted himself with class and integrity, I hope that he retires as a Canuck. That being said under the salary cap the Canucks cannot afford to pay him at his current rate. He can still be a productive player if he is matched up with some decent line mates.

It's time Nasland and Morrison both were dumped.
Nasland has no grit and plays like a woman in the corners.
Lets get some players that are not afraid to go to the net and have some skills.

Put him out to pasture already

Naslund has been a great captain, but his asking price will likely be way too high for the Canucks to justify it. Wherever he goes, he will be overpaid, and under-produce, unless he signs with a team like Detroit (and lands on a top line of talented players) for a reduced rate. What Vancouver fans would love to see is him taking a significant pay cut (From 6 million to perhaps 2.5 million), and staying with the team as secondary scoring on a Morrison line, while clearing cap room for the team to sign a big fish in the off season.

if you ever spent 5 minutes, or even less on www.canucks.com you will see this thread already exists a hundred times

most in van agree nazzy is on the way out, through retirement or move back to sweden.

he's been a great captain im proud to have him as a canuck, but his time most likely has come

the team is new, with a different style of play to when naslund was the guy, with his contract out most cant help to see what "no nuts" buys

My autographed 19 jersey will always be a cherished keepsake beside #10 and #16 but this team needs a massive overhaul.
Our focus is now around Luongo and our young guns and your 6 million will hopefully be well spent in the offseason.

Thank you and goodnight.
PS: CBC....adopt a flexi-schedule and get the god-awful Leafs off HNIC.

Craig, excellent comments. I can't agree more, Naslund is great player, but without a supporting center who can get him the puck, Naslund is left trying to do the work himself, which is of course a very difficult task. I agree Naslund still has a lot left in the tank, and the only way I see him back as a Canuck is if the Canucks can find him a top centerman to play with, if not he's gone.

I agree it's time to move on he'll fit in better somewhere else!!!!!

Craig Simpson makes perfect sense! After watching how uncomfortable Markus was answering Scott Oake's questions on "After Hours" last Saturday about will he stay in Vancouver, all of what Craig says adds up.
And, frankly, given the lack of trading deadline action from Dave Nonis, and the way Vigneault et al regard Naslund, it may just be time to go.
Heck! Does Naslund want to wind up being treated with the same disrespct this organization has treated Mr. Canuck, Trevor Linden in 2007-08? I don't think any player who has given his heart and soul to a franchise deserves that! Not Trevor, not Markus! Both will always be loved by Canuck fans, even if the current management regime in Vancouver does not.

I say, re-sign Naslund, he might be having a bad year for now...but I think he's going to be better on the team as he grows with it. He's been in Vancouver for so long...why not keep him??? He's a great player with very good leadership skills. I mean, who's going to take his place as Captain once he leaves??? Any suggestions if the unfortunate happens???

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Naslund don't go!

We can steal Hossa for you for next season, much cap space = big FA addition.

Good article...I'd have to agree with you on just about every point...except the notion of Naslund leaving to resurrect his career. I think that this can be done in Vancouver. Sign him in the off-season at a reduced rate, and bring in someone that can help him elevate his game. It's no secret that the Canucks need offense...primary, secondary, and tertiary scoring would be nice...although, with the way Kesler and Burrows have been playing of late, a case could be made for the "tertiary scoring". Nonis needs to sign a big name player who might complement our team. Letting someone go like Naslund would be a mistake. While he hasn't had a great season, he really hasn't had anyone to play with...give him some help.

One has to wonder if Dave Nonis has done enough to make use of Naslund's talents. I believe Nonis has done a wonderful job of building this team for the long haul, and he should be commended for it. Still, with a team as strong on defense as the Canucks can be (even with injuries to key players) one can't help but wonder whether a player move could have produced a good fit with Naslund. I don't pretend to know the ins and outs of managing an NHL team, but it seemed to me all season long that there were more quality centers potentially up for grabs than there were for ages before. (OKay...I'm assuming the media are somewhat accurate when they report trade market rumors) And lets face it, Canucks fans have been asking for a strong center for a long time. I understand Nonis' vision of the future and I like what I see. But also remember that for Luongo the future is now. Sure, he'll probably be good for many years to come. Look at Brodeur. Look at what Roy did. But sometimes it's best not to take things for granted. Roberto's at the top of his game now. I think Nonis was capable of giving him a legitimate shot at the Cup this season if he wanted to. To anyone who disagrees, I just don't think you understand the true value of goaltending in hockey. Sidney Crosby is the best player. Guys like Sakic, Ovechkin and Iginla lead teams. But the goaltender wins games above and beyond any other player on a team. The top goalies are all the MVPs of their respective teams. Maybe the Canucks are content to not take any chances so that they can be certain to make profits for years to come. As long as there is a decent team on the ice, they know they will continue to sell out games all season long. But that's not hockey. The players want the Cup now. Hopefully management does too. Thanks.

Marcus Nasland has been a great player with the Canucks. He does need to move on in order to continue his career. This Article absolutely nailed the factors that make this so. Canucks fans should cheer him on and wish him extremely well. He has been a true and loyal star for Vancouver.

I've been a big fan of Naslund for the years he's been in decline. I like his style of play, his style of leadership and his commitment to the community.

At the same time, I share Simpsons view that it is time for him to move on. His style of rush/offensive hockey has not been working with the Canucks' new Luongo-focused system. I don't blame management for going in this direction but it does not suit Naslund. He's played well, contributed his worth to the team and I wish him all the best wherever he decides to go, even staying in Vancouver.

Has he not stated that he would sign with the canucks or head home. Even if he hasnt, this is what I forsee for the captain. I think he may even sign for alot less then his current pay for the prospect of joining the nucks in a long playoff run. If this year falls short.

He would be good on another team.We have had him long enough!!!!!!

I have to agree with Craig Simpson's comments for the most part. Markus tenure with Vancouver is coming to an end .... we all know it. He's done well for the Canucks but the team must move forward. At least we can say that Keenan wasn't with the team to send him packing as he did with Linden. I still feel Trevor Linden was by far the best captain the Canucks have had, but even the best must step aside when big money, team management and poor coaching like Keenan needs their ego stroked. Perhaps they could convince Mark Messier to come out of retirement, fire all of the players and Mike and Mark could lead the team to Lord Stanley's trophy ..... yeah, right!
I wish Markus all of the best wherever he goes, he's a gentleman and an excellent player, but Craig is right, Markus's days with Vancouver is over at the end of the season and rightly so.

Typical of our society when it doesn't work the way we want it to just throw it out. Maybe, it is Vignault we should recycle.

Nazzy has been considering going back to Sweden for a while now. If the 'Nucks don't go far into the playoffs, and if the 'Nucks don't re-sign him for a fair offer, he might just go back to the homeland. I believe Nazzy likes living in Vancouver, and potentially Sweden is his only other option. He's made enough cash - family and country are more important to him now rather than another city. JMO!

He definitely has not performed to a level you expect from a six million dollar player. I am saddened to see him fall so far from the great goal scorer he once was.

Most of the sentiment in Vancouver is that he will not be back and the cap room can be better used elsewhere to address the goal scoring situation for the Canucks. I do believe that there is a market for Naslund come the summer and in the right situation, he will be able to perform at a higher level that he is now.

The big question is whether or not Nonis can use this cap room to find other players to provide some needed offense for the Canucks.

Canucks without Nas?
Heresy... should be one of the new sins just to talk about it

I really like Markus Nasland.
He is a gentleman and good model.
Some of fans complain about his play, but not me. I respect him very much.
Because of him, I also love Sweden.
I hope he be healthy and happy always.
I will always remember him.

Naslund has been a great fixture for the Canucks over the years and it would have been great to see what he and Forsberg could have done together but it won't be done in Vancouver. It's time for Naslund to leave. Thanks for the good times but the Captain and the City have outgrown each other.

The fact is Naslund's abilities have slipped. It's not just about Vigneault's style or his inability to play with the Sedins. He's still a pretty good player, but not worth the big bucks he's getting paid right now. It wouldn't be such a problem if it weren't the salary cap era, but his salary takes up too much room especially when the same amount of money could pay for a sniper.

Naslund had a great run in the early part of this decade and will always be one of the Canucks' best players, but his time has come.