Canucks: TSN releases Vancouver’s All-Time roster
The Vancouver Canucks’ All-Time starting roster amongst Canada’s seven hockey teams has finally been revealed by TSN. Here are the team’s best players.
Last but certainly not least, the Vancouver Canucks‘ All-Time roster has been revealed by TSN. The 50-year franchise has had some very interesting players come through its ranks, and there is certainly going to be a lot of debate regarding the decisions made by TSN. Let’s dive in.
Line 1: Daniel Sedin – Henrik Sedin – Pavel Bure
The three of the best Vancouver Canucks’ forwards at each position. Not much to argue here. Maybe the fact that Pavel Bure‘s fast and ferocious style wouldn’t match up well with the possession and cycle game of the Sedin twins. Still, you can’t go wrong with putting the team’s best pure goal-scorer with the league’s most dominant playmaking duo.
Line 2: Markus Naslund – Trevor Linden – Todd Bertuzzi
No knock on Brendan Morrison because the “West Coast Express” was the best line in the league at the time, but franchise-favourite captain Trevor Linden would be the only possible way that line could have been better.
Line 3: Geoff Courtnall – Thomas Gradin – Tony Tanti
Arguably the most controversial line on the team. From left to right this was still a great way to start shaping the all-time bottom-six group. A good mix of size, speed and skill between the three players.
Line 4: Alex Burrows – Ryan Kesler – Stan Smyl
When Alex Burrows wasn’t playing with the Sedin twins, he was anchored to the left of Ryan Kesler. The two were a pestering powerhouse with a deadly two-way combination that could wear you down physically and mentally. Add the “Steamer,” and that’s the perfect way to round out the forwards.
Pairing 1: Matthias Ohlund – Doug Lidster
Matthias Ohlund was a force not to be messed with during his days in Vancouver. Combine that with pretty much any other partner and you’re still at an advantage. This pairing could do it all in terms of defence.
Pairing 2: Jyrki Lumme – Sami Salo
Offence always came first for these two fine gentlemen. That’s not to say they couldn’t play defence (because they could), but these guys were power play scoring talents with absolute howitzer’s firing from the blueline.
Pairing 3: Alex Edler – Kevin Bieksa
The franchise leader in most, if not all categories for blueliners in Vancouver Alex Edler joins the fan-favourite Kevin Bieksa as a shutdown pair with offensive capabilities. Edler’s calm and cool demeanour mixed with Bieksa’s rough and tough style was as deadly of a combo as they come.
Goalies: Roberto Luongo, KirkMcLean
You can’t even argue the fact that somebody else can claim the spots taken by Roberto Luongo and Kirk McLean. The two most loved goaltenders in the team’s 50-year history rightfully take this roll. Luongo leads the team in franchise wins while McLean holds the playoff win record.
Final thoughts…
Not much can be said negatively about TSN’s final roster except for the fact that a few key players were left out of the mix. Some veterans were maybe missed along with a few current young guns. That’s a debate for another time.
Next. Canucks 2020 free agent targets: Evgenii Dadanov. dark
The Canuck Way will soon be releasing their version of the Canucks All-Time roster. Stay tuned.