By Canucks Fanz Columnist: Farhan Devji

It was only four years ago when Markus Naslund finished a close second in the race for the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the National Hockey League player who leads the league in scoring. It was only four years ago when Markus Naslund won the Lester B. Pearson Award, awarded to the league’s outstanding player, as judged by members of the NHL Players Association and it was only four years ago when Markus Naslund finished first runner-up for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the Most Valuable Player in the NHL.

Today after yet another disappointing season, you would be hard pressed to find an analyst or even a fan who would consider Naslund to be an elite player who has the goods to lead his team to the promise land. Many supporters believe that he has played his best hockey and want him along with his six million dollar salary out of town. 

If you are one of those people, I insist that you ask Ottawa fans how they felt about their Swedish captain, Daniel Alfredsson, in the years past. Alfredsson was the poster boy for constant media/fan bashing and was public enemy #1 in Ottawa prior to and early last season, much how Naslund is right now. Even though Alfredsson’s Senators came up ever so short against the Ducks in the Stanley Cup Finals, he definitely put all the critics to rest with his impressive numbers and overall performance throughout the post season. “Alfie” led the NHL playoffs with 14 goals and 22 assists, and at the age of 35, and turned a corner in his career. Even in game 5 when the Sens were absolutely man-handled by the Ducks, Alfredsson was the only Senator who showed up to play, scoring both his team’s goals and being named first start in a 6-2 shellacking. The media bashing that he was once so accustomed to has now become a distant memory for the four time all-star.

Alfredsson has changed his game from a soft offensive style to a hard working grinding effort but this progression definitely didn’t occur in one lone year. People have to remember that Alfredsson has had ten kicks at the can in the playoffs to eradicate his label as a “choker,” while Naslund has only had four. The progression and development of Naslund’s game to where it needs to be to succeed in the playoffs is in full force.

I can assure you that no one has seen “Nazzy” throw hits, block shots and lay it all on the line as he did in last season’s playoffs, factors which are all part of the intensification of his game. It would have been easy for Naslund to mail it in last season and go against coach Alain Vigneault’s defensive oriented system, but he chose to take the high road and we should be proud that he put the team’s needs ahead of his own. While Naslund’s offensive production has been lacking, many other important aspects of his game have drastically improved and it won’t be long before he picks up where he left in the 2002/03 season.

The reality is that Markus Naslund would do anything for this team, and he is beginning to realize that his chances to win a cup are becoming slimmer year by year. So look for a refreshed captain this season, look for a captain who has learned from his past experiences and used them to ultimately propel his game. I am not here to say that Markus Naslund has earned his paycheck the last couple of seasons because he certainly hasn’t. I understand that he is not paid to throw hits and block shots, his job is to put the puck in the net which he miserly failed to do last season. But what I do ask is that you believe in our captain because as Ottawa fans found out last spring, anything can happen.

Think we're grasping at straws? Is Naslund a lost cause? Let us know at the Canucks Fanz Forums!

---