Naslund starts new NHL season on an up

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 1999

By Lucas Aykroyd

For many years, the name “Naslund” and NHL success were synonymous with just one player: Mats Naslund, the Montreal Canadiens star of the 1980s. But that changed in 1998-99. Markus Naslund of the Vancouver Canucks enjoyed a breakout season, going 36-30-66 in 80 games to lead the team in scoring. And after signing a three-year, $7.2-million U.S. contract a month ago, the 26-year-old native of Ornskoldvik, Sweden looks poised to pick up where he left off last year. EuroReport’s Lucas Aykroyd caught up with Naslund after the Canuck sniper scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers in Vancouver’s home opener on 2 October. It turned out to be a personal milestone for Naslund, who played alongside Mark Messier, the all-time leading scorer among active players, throughout the game.

EuroReport: Markus, some thoughts on scoring your 100th career goal tonight?

Markus Naslund: It’s nice. It’s been a little bit of an up-and-down career for me, and last year was a big step in the right direction. Obviously, I’m confident now, and I hope I’ll get a few hundred more.

EuroReport: A big part of that will be the chemistry between you and Mark Messier. What do you think is the key to your successful partnership?

Markus Naslund: We “think hockey” the same way. We like to give and go and skate. As long as you’re skating, you’re creating openings for the other. I just like to get open so he can give me the puck, and vice versa.

EuroReport: Speaking of another former Ranger, was it a relief to go out there tonight and not have to face Wayne Gretzky?

Markus Naslund: Not really. Hey, it’s always fun playing against guys like Wayne and Mario Lemieux. Obviously, it’s good for a team who doesn’t have to deal with Wayne, but it pumps you up every time you play against a guy like that.

EuroReport: During the preseason, you played both left wing and right wing. What’s your personal preference?

Markus Naslund: I like the right wing a lot better. I played the right wing most of last year, and it seems like I can see the ice better and come in and shoot more easily.

EuroReport: How do you like the team chemistry on the Canucks compared to last year?

Markus Naslund: It’s the best all-around team we’ve had in a few years. Once we get everyone healthy, I think it could be a really good season.

EuroReport: What do you think of the decision by Daniel and Henrik Sedin to stay home in Sweden and play another season with MoDo?

Markus Naslund: I think they did the right thing. They’re still in school, and they’d like to finish that, and they’d like to mature, especially as human beings. They’re going to move out and live on their own, and you need that experience before you come over to North America.

EuroReport: What’s the main thing the Canucks need to do to make the playoffs this year?

Markus Naslund: We need to take responsibility and not just have one line doing all the work. We need two or three lines contributing. And we need to play a solid team game.