Naslund steps up as new Canuck captain

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2000

By Lucas Aykroyd

“Autumn time, and the livin’ is easy…”

Markus Naslund couldn’t be faulted for singing a variation on the old standard. Until 1998-99, not much came easy for him. But that breakout season with 36 goals and 30 assists keyed him to similar success last year (27-38-65), and he led the team in scoring both times. Entering his seventh NHL campaign, he’s ready to replace his mentor and old linemate, Mark Messier, as the leader of the young Vancouver Canucks.

Of course, “replace” may be too strong of a word when it comes to a future Hall-of-Famer like the six-time Cup champion Messier. And while Naslund realized he was a candidate for the job, along with Ed Jovanovski, Todd Bertuzzi and others, he chose to spend his summer relaxing with his wife Lotta and young children instead of obsessing over who would get the C.

“It was a good time,” Naslund told EuroReport. “It was long, but I enjoyed coming back to Sweden and seeing old friends and obviously my family.”

That relaxed frame of mind has the 27-year-old right wing from Ornskoldvik, Sweden pretty happy when it comes to evaluating his team’s preseason performance. A 6-1 shellacking of Ottawa on 27 September, in which Naslund picked up three assists, gave evidence that Vancouver should boast an exciting finesse brand of hockey this year.

“I know it’s still preseason, but there are some good signs for sure,” said Naslund. “I’m looking forward to opening night. When you get other guys chipping in like we have now, it’s easy to help out offensively. I like playing hockey right now. It’s fun and I think a lot of the boys feel the same, and that’s why we’re being successful.”

It’s good he’s no work shirk. He’s been getting a ton of ice time, as coach Marc Crawford throws him into special teams situations as well as his regular shift.

“If you feel that the coach is trusting you in important situations, it makes you grow as a player,” Naslund said. “I really enjoy being the captain and I think it’s a privilege. It is a big responsibility too, because you’re responsible for how the team is playing.”

He’s laid out the welcome mat for a pair of redheaded youngsters who have already drawn comparisons to Mats Sundin from anxious Canucks fans. Naslund, also an ex-MoDo star, has been favorably impressed by Daniel and Henrik Sedin in the early going.

“Even though they’re young, they know how to hold on to the puck and make plays in traffic. It shows their confidence.”

Second-year Canuck Andrew Cassels has gelled nicely with Naslund, despite carping that he’s not really a first-line center. If he can build on a creditable 62-point performance last year, that could change some minds.

Coach Crawford told EuroReport: “Naslund and Cassels and whoever they play with are moving the puck so well. It’s very crisp. It’s obvious they like playing together, and they’re developing some good chemistry.”

Crawford has been experimenting with an almost-all-Swedish power play unit, featuring Mattias Ohlund with Cassels on the points and Naslund with the Sedins up front. The skillful fivesome looks promising.

But Naslund cautions that a successful quest for a playoff berth will stem from team depth: “The key for us is to have everyone playing well. You can’t just have two lines going. You have to have everyone. That’s what’s going to make the difference.”

And could the recent jaunt to Sweden for training camp have helped to build that sense of togetherness?

“I think the group got closer,” Naslund said. “We did stuff that we usually don’t, and it was just a new experience for everyone. I think it even helped to play on the big rinks and see what kind of game that is, although I enjoy playing on the small surface like the rest of the guys. It broadens your vision of hockey.”

The hockey world recently focused on the trial of former Boston Bruins defenseman Marty McSorley, who was charged with assaulting Canuck forward Donald Brashear with his hockey stick at GM Place on 21 February. Not a distraction the Canucks relish.

So Naslund wouldn’t speculate too much on what might happen if a similar incident took place in a Swedish rink.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I’m sure something pretty serious must have happened throughout the years in Sweden too. But you don’t usually take a lot of cases to court in Sweden. That’s just the way it is. It’s not common that people get sued and stuff like that.”

But a growing trend among Swedish hockey players, at least, is to contemplate returning to their homeland while still in their NHL prime. Mikael Renberg left the Phoenix Coyotes and signed a five-year deal with Lulea this season. Niklas Lidstrom mulled going home as a bargaining chip in his contract negotiations with the Detroit Red Wings. And Peter Forsberg is rumored to be thinking of an early exit as well.

What’s behind the trend?

“I think everyone is different, and the first thing you have to look at is the family situation,” Naslund said. “For example, Renberg, if he stayed over here, wouldn’t be able to see his daughter. I would have done the same thing as him because I think family is the most important thing. And then you’ve got to do it as a business decision too. As for Forsberg, I don’t know if he’s going back or not, but if you’ve been injured quite a bit, and serious injuries too, I’m sure you consider stuff like that, just being close to your family and so on.”

But Naslund himself is in no hurry to get back. Surrounded by an abundance of talented Swedish teammates, he’s basically living in Stockholm West. And the winters are so mild in Vancouver…

“Oh yeah! I’m enjoying my life over here and I’m planning to stay.”