Season Ending Remarks

So the Canucks end their dismal season on a positive note. Even playoff teams not holding Lord Stanley get rewarded with such a finish. If we can take anything positive out of the way the Canucks let their playoff contentions slip through their fingers, it's the way they stopped the bleeding before summer vacation. All three of the Canucks Power Line, no not Henrik and Daniel, but Todd, Markus, and Brenden were able to score last night in their overtime win against the Colorado Avalanche to provide some hope in golf link conversation.

What was glaringly horrible was that the big line was dormant for much of the 2005-06 season. Ok, so Markus and Bert had respectable point campaigns: 79 and 71, but they were lacking heart and desire, even a pulse most games. Let's not forget their intolerable defense: Naslund was a -19, while Bert was -17. Morrison came to play most evenings but no disrespect, he's been overachieving in the points department for the last few years, I mean who wouldn't be able to collect 40-50 assists on a Bertuzzi/Naslund line in their prime ? There were long stretches of injuries, and having to look to Alex Auld to take the brunt of the goaltending load after the recent Dan Cloutier injury was a big blow, although to Auld's credit he was doing a fine job until after the Olympic break. The Defense were very depleted too; Jovanovski, then Salo and Ohlund during the Olympics. But every team has their injury problems during the course of a campaign. Look at Philadelphia, and the now the Ottawa Senators. Good teams find a way to win within such circumstances. The Canucks just weren't that sort of team this year. And a lot of questions have to be asked regarding their so called leaders Bertuzzi and Naslund, and perhaps more importantly between the pipes where Auld didn't look starting worthy, and the injury plagued Cloutier can't be relied upon during the playoffs. Nonis should be seriously making a list of who should stay and who he's willing to depart with, because their isn't a lot of room salary-wise. For instance, Jovanovski may not be returning because the Canucks are probably not going to be able to afford a new contract extension. As long as Ohlund, Salo, and Allen are still in the mix the team should do well. But, looking for a goaltender, and 3rd and 4th line wingers is implorable for Nonis in the next few months. If the Canucks are looking to improve next year their current roster has to be shaken up, and weaknesses need to be addressed. A changing of the Coaching guard might be another move in the right direction. Marc Crawford looks too complacent on the bench. He isn't good at rallying the troops, and a respect issue might be in question. I mean how come Betruzzi gets pampered so much. This guy should have had his best season considering he had a lot to prove since his one year suspension. Crawford had a great year or two Winning the Cup in Colorado but coaching a team with Forsberg, Sakic, Blake, and Roy shouldn't require a lot of coaching zeal. Since coming to Vancouver Crawford has done a fine job, but I think it's time to let him go.