7 most hyped Vancouver Canucks player additions of all-time
With the Vancouver Whitecaps about to make a big splash, it had me thinking about the most hyped Vancouver Canucks additions of all-time.
These are players who may or may not have lived up to lofty expectations, and indeed the most highly anticipated acquisition in Canucks history was a complete disaster.
For the purpose of this list, we’ll exclude players that were acquired via the draft, with one notable exception.
7. Courtnall brothers reunite
Before Henrik and Daniel, the most famous brother duo to suit up for the Vancouver Canucks was Geoff and Russ Courtnall.
Pat Quinn reunited the Vancouver Island-born brothers when he swung a trade with the Dallas Stars on April 7, 1995. The Canucks gave up Greg Adams to get Russ Courtnall, who joined brother Geoff in Vancouver.
It must have been a dream-come-true for Geoff and Russ, but it didn’t last long. Russ played just 24 games (regular season and playoffs) with the Canucks to end the 1994-95 season, before Geoff left Vancouver for St. Louis in free agency.
6. The Luongo era begins
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Roberto Luongo came to Vancouver with much fanfare in 2006, following a five-player trade pulled off by Dave Nonis that saw Todd Bertuzzi head to the Florida Panthers.
Luongo more than lived up to the hype, building most of his Hall-of-Fame resume in Vancouver before returning to Florida in 2014.
5. Russian Rocket takes off
Getting Pavel Bure out of Russia took significant work, which is why this 1989 Canucks draft pick is an exception on this list.
Bure made his NHL debut one month into the 1991-92 season, on Nov. 5, 1991. He came to Vancouver before the days of YouTube clips and easy access to stats online. Still, there was significant hype for the 20-year-old rookie, who had lit up three straight World Junior Championships in 1989, 1990, and 1991.
Bure was electric in his first game, even without registering a point. He went on to become one of the greatest players in franchise history.
4. Mogilny joins Bure in Vancouver
89 and 96 in Canucks colours (NHL Auctions)
When the Canucks traded for Alexander Mogilny in 1995, they were acquiring a player just two years removed from a 76-goal campaign with the Buffalo Sabres.
The thought of putting Mogilny on a line with his old Soviet teammate Bure was tantalizing to say the least. Bure was just one year removed from back-to-back 60-goal seasons.
Unfortunately, Mogilny’s arrival coincided with the start of Bure’s injury troubles. Bure appeared in just 15 games in Mogilny’s first season in Vancouver in 1995-96, when Mogilny scored 55 goals. By the time the Russian Rocket returned to form in 1997-98, the Canucks were a mess, and Mogilny was on his way to New Jersey.
3. Linden comes home
Trevor Linden was still the most popular player in franchise history when Brian Burke reacquired him in a Nov. 10, 2001, trade with the Washington Capitals.
To say the move was a hit with fans would be an understatement.
In the twilight of his career, Linden was no longer a perennial 30-goal scorer, but did provide leadership and two-way value before retiring in 2008.
2. Canucks get Sundin
Who could ever forget the way Mats Sundin joined the Canucks in 2008-09?
It began in the summer of 2008, when new Canucks GM Mike Gillis offered Sundin a two-year contract worth $20 million to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs in free agency. It was a massive offer, considering the salary cap was just $56.7 million at the time.
The offer sent shockwaves through the hockey world, but Sundin took his time to decide if he wanted to continue his career. Eventually, on Dec. 8, 2008, Sundin put pen to paper on a deal that paid him $5.6265 million for just half a season.
Sundin struggled to get up to speed during the regular season, scoring 28 points in 41 games. He found his form in the playoffs, though, scoring eight points in eight postseason games.
1. Messier chooses Vancouver
When it comes to hype, Mark Messier’s arrival in Vancouver takes the cake.
If you don’t believe me, check the video of his first press conference in Vancouver. The hoopla was next level.
Messier was already one of the greatest players of all time when the Canucks signed him to a massive five-year contract worth $6 million per season, which was big-time money in 1997. Not only was he expected to rack up points, Messier’s famed leadership was going to bring together a talented Canucks team that had underachieved the season prior.
Needless to say, it didn’t happen that way.
Messier spent three years in Vancouver, which were some of the darkest days in Canucks history. He was bought out of the final two years of his contract in 2000.