Canucks Fanz columnist Zane Jiwa compares Markus Naslund the leader and Markus Naslund the player with Trevor Linden and suggests that there should be no captain controversy whatsoever brewing in Vancouver.

By Canucks Fanz Columnist: Zane Jiwa

“Oh Captain my Captain,” used to be a catch phrase used by various commentators after Vancouver Canucks forward Markus Naslund scored a dandy, or even better, lit the opposing team for a hat trick.  However, this one liner was rarely used during the 2006-2007 season, as a struggling Naslund failed to meet expectations, and created controversy throughout the team.

Questions were being raised as to who should really be captain.  Fans were ranting about what a poor player Naslund was, and that Canuck icon Trevor Linden should become the captain.  Trevor Linden.  A 37 year-old veteran, who although is a fan favourite, cannot do much except cheer from the sidelines.  Most Canuck fans haven’t realized that Linden is not capable of putting up a 20 goal season anymore, and he is not capable of playing a full 82 game schedule.  Naslund too is getting older, but as a more talented player, Nazzy still has the potential to put up a 20 or 30 goal season.  Since he started playing regularly on the Canucks during the 1996-1997 season, only once has Naslund failed to reach 20 goals in a season.  Also, from that 1996-1997 season to the present day, Naslund has averaged a point per game in four different seasons. 

Linden on the other hand, has never, in his entire NHL career, averaged a point per game in a season.  The most points he has ever gathered in a season is 80, which was when, coincidently, the same season Naslund was traded to the Canucks.  The current reigning captain tallied over 100 points in one season, beating Linden’s single season point total by over 20 points.  A fluke.  I think not. 

Naslund has always been a better player, and led by example.  Many are quick to point out how useless Naslund and his $5 million plus salary was last year, but no one bares in mind that he was taking a back seat to the Swedish Sedin Twins, he had changed his game to a more defensive style of play, or that Naslund had fought through nagging injuries just to be able to stay on the ice. 

Now, a miniscule fourteen games into the season, the revamped Markus Naslund has put up solid numbers, scoring four and assisting on seven others.  This quick start to the season should be an indicator to everyone that your Canucks captain is still for real, and he has come into this season with the determination to succeed.  (For the Trevor Linden fans, Linden has one point in the nine games has played, and has been limited to playing a minimal role on this Canucks team).              

Discuss it here.
 

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