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Canucks News: Burrows Says Thank You, Eriksson Better Than You Think

By Janik Beichler

Mar 2, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Alexandre Burrows (14) scores his second goal of the game in the second period against the Colorado Avalanche at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Alexandre Burrows (14) scores his second goal of the game in the second period against the Colorado Avalanche at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vancouver Canucks winger Loui Eriksson will never be able to replace Alex Burrows, but it is up to him to lead the Canucks in the future.

He may not be a Vancouver Canucks player anymore, but Alexandre Burrows will always call Vancouver home and himself a Canuck. He shared his final thoughts before his departure to Ottawa, which might have gained him even more respect than he already had from Canucks Nation.

It is fine to hate Burrows when he is playing for the opposing team because, in a way, he’s Vancouver’s version of Brad Marchand. But no one can deny his great character off the ice.

Meanwhile, Loui Eriksson is trying to establish himself as a leader on the team. With six years on his contract, he has enough to do so.

But is he still capable?

Goodbye, Vancouver

Alex Burrows (The Players’ Tribune) — Thank You, Thank You, Merci, Vancouver

"As someone who came from nothing and then played 12 years for this franchise, I still kind of can’t believe it happened. But I’m so glad it did. Please don’t forget about me — and please, if you get a chance, make sure to pass along some words of mine to next year’s rookies. Just give them the following message: Wear that sweater with pride. And don’t let anybody take it away from you.It means you’re a Canuck."

There really isn’t anything I could add to this. I just wanted to include it because it’s really worth a read.

There are some great players in the NHL, but Alex Burrows is far more than that. He was an amazing leader in the Canucks locker room, thanks to his great personality.

It was time to let him go, but he will be missed in Vancouver — just as much as he will miss being a Canuck.

Eriksson Better than You Think

J.D. Burke (Canucks Army) — Loui Eriksson Is Having a Far Better Season than You Probably Think

"On the surface, year one of the Eriksson experiment is an unmitigated disaster, made especially distressing when one considers one of its chief aims was to breathe life into the Sedins’ careers, and well, that hasn’t exactly gone to plan either.How far that drives fan ire is different from person to person. Some think Eriksson a poor player for his contract; others think him a poor player period. That doesn’t flesh out when you peel the layers back on Eriksson’s onion of a season, though."

Unlike Burrows, Loui Eriksson will be around for a few more years. That fact was supposed to bring cheer to the disappointed Canucks fans; but one season into his six-year contract, Eriksson has yes to convince even the most optimistic fans.

Canucks Army editor J.D. Burke, on the other hand, is already happy with Eriksson’s play. Well, it could sure be better, but Burke attributes Eriksson’s lack of scoring to factors the player can’t control — like quality of competition, line mates, and simply bad luck.

While I agree that Eriksson hasn’t been as bad as some make him out to be, I would still call his lack of production alarming.

A 30-goal scorer last season, Eriksson is currently tied for 260th in league scoring with just 24 points in 65 games. And strong defensive play does not make up for that.

Next: Desjardins' Decision Making Not the Issue for Canucks

I have always liked Eriksson as a player, especially during his time with the Dallas Stars, and it is great to have a veteran like him on a rebuilding team. But we really need to see an increase in production from him no later than next season — whatever it may take.

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