Be glad this isn’t Chicago 48 years…

Canucks could be singing the playoff blues

Saturday night brought an initial sigh of relief to many Canuck fans after what some would call a disappointing lack of activity at this years’ trade deadline. The Canucks began the backstretch of the season with a convincingly and somewhat easy victory over the league leading and Stanley Cup favorite San Jose Sharks. A quick goal by Alexander Edler at the 3 minute mark of the first period kicked off what could only be called a complete domination from start to finish. A dominance that included a thrilling Darcy Hordichuk take down of league tough guy Jody Shelly that seemed to add fuel to an already 3 alarm crowd on the night. A Kevin Bieksa blast from the point with just under 8 minutes remaining was enough to seal the deal and send the fans home excited and relieved.

However fans should not be too relieved just yet. The Canucks lack of activity at the trade deadline could prove costly in the run to Lord Stanleys Cup. If history were to prove anything to the fans it may prove that a big deal at the trade deadline is just what the doctor ordered for the Vancouver Canucks to make it all the way to the final. History will also show us that not only is a big trade key for this franchise to make it to the finals. It would appear that a big trade with the St Louis Blues of all teams.

It was 27 years ago today, on the trade deadline that the Vancouver Canucks traded away a talented back up goaltender by the name of Glen Hanlon to the St Louis Blues in return for 3 players and a 4th round pick in the 82 entry draft. Forwards Tony Currie, Jim Nill and goaltender Rick Heinz came to Vancouver and helped the Canucks battle themselves into a playoff spot. Despite the odds and the beliefs of most fans the Canucks went on to the Stanley Cup finals that year for a first in franchise history. Although losing in four straight to the heavily favored and much talented New York Islanders, the trade proved to be a wise move as Jim Nill went on to score 7 points that playoff run, one of which was a goal at the 13 minute mark of the third period that gave the Canucks a 5-4 lead in game one of the finals before Mike bossy would tie it up and send it to over time and eventually the game winner.

During the 93-94 Season the Canucks were struggling with a reluctant to report, Craig Janney. On March 21 1994, Vancouver and St Louis once again passed contracts across the table as Vancouver traded Craig Janneys rights back to St Louis in exchange for Defencemen Jeff Brown, Bret Hedican and center Nathan Lafayette.Once again the tale of two cities proved benefical to Vancouver as the Canucks went on to game seven of the Stanley Cup finals against the other New York team, the New York Rangers. All three recently acquired Canucks made significant impacts in that years’ playoff run. Bret Hedican had 7 points, Jeff Brown scored 15 points and Nathan Layafette tallied for 9 points and as no one can forget, came just inches short of tying the game with under 3 minutes remaining in game 7 when he beat Mike Richter to the blocker side, but could not beat the iron, ringing the puck off the post and sadly becoming the answer to a life long Vancouver Canucks trivia question.

Whether coincidence or just dumb luck, I think it’s safe to say that fans are a little nervous with the lack of activity at the trade deadline this year. With several teams in the west making additions to their lineups the Canucks will be forced to battle for a playoff position with the same inconsistency that has had fans on an emotional rollercoaster all season long. True, the prices that were rumored to be asked of the Canucks seemed to be as ridiculous as the thought of the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders battling for the last playoff position in the East this year, most fans were hoping that some of the money saved when Matts Sundin signed would be out to use and bring in what no one is really sure is needed. Then again if history is correct, a quick glance at the St Louis Blues roster this year and it would be safe to assume that even the best barstool General Manager out there would say, “it was money well saved.”

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And yeah, Calgary is starting to skid at JUST the right time, too.

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And it was great to see Sundin have a good one. Be even better when Luongo feels that he’s back at 100%, too.

And look at the cluster of teams in the West. Six points separated 5th from 13th. Good Grief.