Au Revoir, Markus Naslund

So.. Markus Naslund is leaving the Canucks.. while I liked #19, it must have been difficult for him to wear the “C” in a town whose hearts had long been captured by #16, Trevor Linden (forever THE Captain in Vancouver’s heart!).

Naslund had a quiet leadership style. When he was “on”, he made some beautiful magic that was a exciting to see. That he was often absent when it was time to “lead by example” was disappointing, to say the least. The famed grit that Linden always displayed – especially in the playoffs – seemed absent in the tepid (albeit classy) Swede.

I won’t miss Naslund the way I mourn the loss of Linden (to retirement, no less), but I do wish Naslund well in New York. I think he will miss Vancouver sooner rather than later.