http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami_Salo
every paragraph has something about him being injured... i love it

Naslund retiring? Let the Great Debate begin

By Ben Kuzma, The ProvinceMay 3, 2009

Markus Naslund, the former Canucks captain now with the New York Rangers, is a "spent force," says Ed Willes in Monday's morning musings.

Let the Great Debate begin.

If a New York Post report is accurate that Markus Naslund will retire from the NHL at age 35, following a poor 46-point season with the Rangers, then the battle lines will be drawn in Vancouver as to whether the former Canucks captain should have his No. 19 jersey retired.

Some will shout "Yes!" Others will scream "No!"

As the franchise leader in career points (756) and single-season leader in goals (48), assists (56) and points (104) by a left-winger — established in the 2002-03 season on the famed West Coast Express line with Brendan Morrison and Todd Bertuzzi — you could argue that Naslund did more than enough to have his jersey join Stan Smyl and Trevor Linden in the GM Place rafters.

Or, you could argue that there seemed to be something missing in Naslund's 12-year tenure here.

Whether it was the weight of expectations as captain, the constant losing, line juggling, lack of a premier centre to get him the puck or playing in a defensive system, it all got to Naslund in the end. When he signed a two-year, $8-million US free-agent deal with the Rangers last July, the game's once-dominant left winger was a shadow of his former self. And when his goal totals went from a career-high 48 in 2002-03 to 35, 32, 24 and 25 with the Canucks, Naslund became the lightning rod for everything that was wrong. Nobody wanted to look at anything he had done right.

When the Canucks laid a 6-3 whipping on the Rangers in a Nov. 19 clash at Madison Square Garden, the outcome was almost overshadowed by Naslund's legacy debate. Some wanted to name a street after him on the local talk-show airwaves. Some wished he had been given a one-way ride to the airport years before.

"When things don't go well in a hockey-mad city, the high-profile guy gets the blame and it seemed liked he was the No. 1 target," said countryman Mattias Ohlund, a long-time defender of Naslund as one of the most-maligned stars in the Vancouver hockey universe. "He brought so much over the years and obviously the way it all ended wasn't very good."

We'll take that as a resounding yes vote to have Naslund's jersey retired.

"Absolutely," added Ohlund. "If you look at his numbers, there's no doubt. He was our captain for eight years and did so many things for the community and for some reason it went a little unnoticed in the end. Nobody except the guys around the team know how much he cared."

You can add Naslund's former agent to that group.

Mike Gillis has long lauded Naslund as one of the game's greats — for obvious reasons in contract negotiations — and is in an awkward position in the jersey debate. As the winger's close friend, he obviously wants the honour bestowed on Naslund. As general manager of the Canucks, he has to temper his enthusiasm to some degree. But that's not easy. Asked about Naslund's legacy back in mid-November, he said the jersey retirement was already on the radar.

"That's a discussion that we've begun to broach in some ways," Gillis said. "It's not up to me because I'm pretty biased, but it would involve the hockey department and ownership."

It was during Mike Keenan's reign of terror and error that Naslund believed his NHL days were numbered long before Sunday's retirement report. When Keenan became coach during the 1997-98 season, Naslund became one of his many whipping boys. At the time, Russ Courtnall was a Gillis client and a call was brokered to Naslund.

"Markus was thinking of going back to Sweden and he phoned me and said: 'I'm probably just wasting your time because I don't think I'll be back playing in North America.' " recalled Gillis. "I told him I'd watch him for 10 games and let him know what I think. I then told him he'd be absolutely crazy not to pursue his goals here. He's incredibly talented, but fell into a mindset where he had lost his confidence and didn't play to his skill set."

Fast forward to that emotional Nov. 19 game against his former teammates and Naslund was given some guidance from Morrison, who faced the same circumstances this season while with Anaheim and Dallas. As grateful as he was for that call, Naslund seemed somewhat surprised when informed by this reporter that the Canucks are considering retiring his jersey.

"It's the greatest honour you can get," said Naslund. "It's nice to hear, but we'll see what happens."

Then again, Naslund never thought he would leave Vancouver.

"It's weird," he admitted. "If you asked me two or three years ago, I always envisioned myself retiring as a Canuck. But things happen for a reason."

Totally depends on who's replacing him. Blind "Get rid of Salo" statements are stupid and displays a persons lack of hockey knowledge. Obviously a plug wouldn`t be able to replace such a significant role and defensemens like Souray, Pronger and Lidstrom don`t exactly grow on trees.

Right now, Salo`s a keeper for the money we`re paying him. $3.5 mill I believe. We could possibly upgrade to a Bowmeester or the like, but that mean`s we gotta pay. Like $5 to $6 million pay.

Since the NHL lockout, Salo plays an average of 76% of his regular season games.

I guess Salo can spend more time driving his new GTR.

Salo's under contract for 2 more yrs.

Our top 4 for next yr have a cap hit of around 3-3.5M

Mitchell
Bieksa
Edler
Salo

Ohlund's UFA. Look for Salo to play 60 gms and an unknown # in the playoffs when it matters. It means we need to find another top 4 for cheap. That really ties your hands.

He might hurt his groin mashing the gas.

^Or break an ankle picking up a cracker??

TBH, I'm not all too worried about Salo's absence in comparison to their work ethic right now. (Not sure if it's due to fatigue or complaceny)

We can win without Salo but it's just a matter of keeping your tempo high for a whole 60 minutes. Right now we have a tendency to relax to a point where we can't sustain any amount of lead, wether it be 1 goal, 2 goals or 3. In comparison to the Blues series, we aren't hitting and skating as much as the previous.

We have a good team. But adversity is part of the playoffs. We'll see how they overcome it. if at all. Hope they tighten things up for tonight's game. :eek5x:

What time is TONIGHT'S game on then???

Actually the game is tomorrow at 5pm not today

none - games on tuesday

lol that made me laugh
you'd rather have Bouwmeester over Niedermayer whose won almost every championship there is and is one of the game's best skaters? Bouwmeester has never even been to the playoffs, granted that he is in Florida.

if you want a shot at the cup
Niedermayer >>> Bouwmeester anyday

Since we are on the topic of signings...We should sign Ryan Johnson till he retires. Liked the signing before and still like it alot.

And I don't mind either bouwmeester or niedermayer as they will both help our team.

As for tomorrow's game, who'd u like to see play for Salo.. Vaananen or Davison. I also think that it's time for Pyatt's return..take out Hordi and put him in there.

It will probably be Vaananen, he's next on the depth chart.

Pittsburgh/Washington game is on 7 Eastern/4 Pacific if that's what you mean. :D

Canucks/Hawks game should be on at 5PM Pacific tomorrow.

I like Johnson - he's tough and blocks tons of shots that nobody else would dare get in front of. At 1.1 million, I think he's a pretty good deal.

I definitely agree with the Johnson signing, that guy is pure heart. I was so stoked when we picked him up this season.

I rather have Hordi instead of Pyatt ...unless Pyatt decides to bring his checking skates and plays the body hard.

I know, that's why the emphasis on "TONIGHT" :)

Hordi is good but the chicago goons doesn't want to fight.. and if they start something, he's usually sitting on the bench as it's all rypien or bieksa...

And Johnson is a steal at 1.1 mill or whatever he makes....even the coach at st louis wanted him to stay.

Anyone catch the Dustin Byfuglien interview?

That guy is really down to earth, pretty cool actually.

Hopefully Edler will step it up and fill in for Sami.

Canucks better bring their A game Tuesday. Beating them in their own building is a must, we don't want to come home down 3-1. I

Naslund announces his retirement at the age of 35.

http://rangers.nhl.com/team/app/?ser...ticleid=421384

Naslund hangs up skates after brilliant career

Rangers alternate captain, veteran of 1,117 NHL games, retires at age 35

New York Rangers forward Markus Naslund announced his retirement today, ending his memorable 15-year National Hockey League career, which included a Lester B. Pearson Award (2003), five NHL All-Star Game appearances (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004) and three NHL All-Star First Team selections (2002, 2003 and 2004).

Markus Naslund scored 395 goals during his NHL career, including a career-high 48 goals with Vancouver in 2002-03.

"I would like to sincerely thank Glen Sather and the New York Rangers for giving me the opportunity this past season in New York," said Naslund. "I would also like to thank the Vancouver Canucks and all of their fans for their support over the 11-plus seasons I was a part of their organization, as well as to the Pittsburgh Penguins where I began my NHL career."

Naslund became a member of the Rangers organization when he signed as a free agent on July 3, 2008. He made his debut as a Blueshirt on October 4 vs. Tampa Bay at Prague, Czech Republic, after being named the team’s Alternate Captain the day before.

Naslund was one of six Rangers to skate in all 82 games this season, finishing second on the team in goals (24), tied for second in power play goals (eight) and ranked fifth in points (46). He extended his streak of 20-goal seasons to 10 consecutive seasons. In addition, Naslund led the team with a plus-two rating and tied for third with three points (one goal and two assists) in seven post-season contests.

Prior to joining the Rangers, Naslund spent 12 years with the Vancouver Canucks, serving as team Captain for eight seasons (2000-01 – 2007-08), and three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was originally selected by Pittsburgh in the first round, 16th overall, in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, and was traded to Vancouver on March 20, 1996, in exchange for Alek Stojanov.

The 6-0, 195-pounder skated in 1,117 career regular season contests with Pittsburgh, Vancouver and Rangers, registering 395 goals and 474 assists for 869 points, along with 736 penalty minutes. He enjoyed his greatest success during the 2002-03 season, winning the Lester B. Pearson Award as the most outstanding player in the NHL as voted by his peers, and finishing as the Hart Memorial Trophy runner-up as league MVP while establishing career-highs in goals (48), assists (56), points (104), power-play goals (24), and game-winning goals (12).

Naslund reached the 40-goal mark three times in his career (2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03), and surpassed the 30-goal plateau six times. He also recorded 11 career hat tricks. Naslund reached 800 career points on December 27 vs. Calgary, and skated in his 1,000th career NHL game on January 17 at Detroit. He made his NHL debut on October 5, 1993 at Philadelphia.

In post-season play, Naslund appeared in 52 career contests with Vancouver and the Rangers, registering 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points, along with 56 penalty minutes. He led Vancouver to the Western Conference Semi-Finals in 2002-03, finishing first on the team with career-highs in assists (nine) and points (14), and second in goals (five), also a career-high.

Internationally, Naslund represented Sweden at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, registering two goals and one assist for three points in four contests. In addition, he was a member of Team Sweden at the 1996 and 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 1993, 1996, 1999, and 2002 IIHF World Championships.

looks like Demitra might not be playing tomorrow either.

NO COMPLIMENTING THE ENEMY!!!!!

SEND HIM TO THE MOON!!!






All this talk of injuries is making me depressed. I'm scared.

what ? why !!