First off, my apologies for not letting you know I was a little tied up. And by you, I mean the 7 people that read this blog. Christmas and work have been hectic to say the least. So... what's new? While the Vancouver media are in an almost dancing-in-the-streets type frenzy over the signing, most Canucks fans seem to be like myself: very happy but cautiously optimistic.
We do remember other big-name players coming here: Mogilny for one (he played well but never met his potential here) and of course He Who Shall Not Be Named. Let's be clear, this doesn't pencil us in on the cup. But you certainly have to think the Canucks have just taken a huge step forward both in talent and legitimacy. Right up until the announcement, the Rangers were touted as the forerunners in this sweepstakes. All they had to do was move some players and make cap room. We were led to believe that this was actually doable. The revisionism on the behalf of the Rangers and their media actually begins there. Teams have not been able to just magically make cap space, and those that have had to did so in ways that probably hurt more than helped. But Larry Brooks of the New York Post feels that Sundin's decision was based solely on money, calling him a 'mercenary'. That's pretty rich from the beat writer of a team that has been showing the failure of hired guns for a while now. If you look at the facts however, Sundin's decision was based more on hockey and integrity than anything else. he went to a team that yes, offered him a huge contract. But he left a ton of that money on the table. He also went to a team that wasn't going to have to dump salary and players just to make him fit, something that could potentially destroy chemistry on a team. He chose a team he feels is ready to challenge for the cup not just this year but in seasons to come. And most of, I think he chose the team that was straight-up and honest with him from the get-go. There is no way we are even contenders with Burke or Nonis as GM. Mike Gillis made this deal happen, and he should be commended for sticking to his guns and landing this one, when no one in the world thought he could. Now we wait for his appearance in the lineup, and a fresh chapter in what is already a pretty remarkable season for the Canucks.
I had wanted to make a post on Wednesday, but didn't get the time. But I do need to say a few words about Trevor Linden. First, what a classy ceremony. Fitting of the man who did so much for the sport, the team and the city. Secondly, what a great speech. Humble until the end, it certainly cements his reputation as one of the truly good guys, on and off the ice to play the game. Thirdly, good call on MG to postpone what was obviously a big announcement until Thursday. I laugh now when I think about how he basically told everyone he was announcing it Thursday and everyone still insisted the Rangers would get it done. Hah. Oh, and a note to Brian Burke: when you trash the house, being surprised that you don't get invited to the next party is kinda dumb on your part. Maybe you should have called Kevin Lowe for tickets, he might have been a better shot for you.
Pregame for the Blackhawks will be posted tomorrow and believe it or not the podcasts are on their way back very soon.
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