Canucks Re-Sign Markus Naslund
 

Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice-President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced today that the Canucks have re-signed Markus Naslund to a new three-year deal through the 2007-08 season. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We’re very pleased to reach this deal with Markus and to welcome his family back to Vancouver for another three years," said Dave Nonis. "Markus has played a pivotal role in the success we’ve experienced on and off the ice in recent years. He’s grown to become a big part of our community and he’s very important to our fans. We are excited to have him back and we look forward to seeing him leading our team again when we hit the ice in September."

Naslund, 32, led the Canucks in goals (36) and points (84) during the 2003-04 season and finished 4th overall in league scoring, 1st overall in even-strength goals (30) and 7th overall in goals scored. The five-time NHL All-Star and 2003 Lester B. Pearson award winner has led Vancouver in scoring over the past six consecutive seasons, beginning with his breakthrough season of 1998-99 when he scored 36 goals.

"I feel very fortunate to have grown as a player and a person in Vancouver and the support the club and the fans have demonstrated to me any my family has been amazing," said Markus Naslund. "This past year has given me time to reflect on my career and where I want my family to be. Vancouver feels like home and that was an important factor in my decision. But our team has also been close over the past few years and I feel like we still have some unfinished business to take care of. I am looking forward to leading the Canucks again next season as we aim to take that next step."

Naslund ranks 2nd in Vancouver Canucks’ all-time scoring with 562 points (265-297-562) and 2nd in all-time goals scored trailing only Trevor Linden in both categories. In addition to a number of Canucks’ team awards, including three MVP selections by the fans, Naslund was voted the league’s most outstanding player by his peers in 2003 and presented with the Lester B. Pearson Award. He has also represented the Canucks in five NHL All-Star games: 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 and was named Western Conference Captain in 2004. Naslund was named team captain on Sept. 15, 2000 at the conclusion of the Canucks training camp in Sweden.

Naslund stands 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds and was acquired in a trade from Pittsburgh in exchange for Alek Stojanov on March 20, 1996. A native of Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, Naslund has represented his country at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, the 2002 Winter Olympics, the 1993, 1996 and 1999 World Hockey Championships, and the 1991 and 1992 World Junior Championships. Naslund still holds the World Junior Championship record for most goals in a single tournament with 13 in 1992.

Markus and his family have become part of the community during Naslund’s career in Vancouver including most notably the commitment of the "Nassy’s Suite 19," a luxury suite at General Motors Place designed to host underprivileged children at Canucks home games. The generous and giving nature runs in the family as his wife Lotta acting as a member of the Board of Directors for the on the Canucks For Kids Fund. Markus and his wife Lotta have two daughters, Rebecca and Isabella and a son Alex.

Is this Sportstalk a realiable source? I don't believe anything until I hear it on TSN or RDS.

Seems like every place is reporting this now. News stations, radio stations, etc. Looks like there will be an announcement made tomorrow sometime.

Probably because he know Colorado will sign Forsberg & he doesn't wanna move on his own.

3 years and 18 million...a small pay cut to stay in Vancouver.

The Canucks only have 2-3 million in salary cap room so Forsberg is not playing with Naslund, barring a sign and trade (with some salary dumpings included).

Report: Naslund staying put

With Markus Naslund reportedly staying put, the next big question for Vancouver is what to do with Bertuzzi.

Sportsnet.ca -- Markus Naslund has surveyed the new hockey world and decided home is where his heart is. | Free agent tracker

According to the Vancouver Province, the Canucks captain will re-sign in Vancouver for $18 million US over three years. Two other teams matched the offer, but in Naslund's opinion, weren't ready to compete at the same level as the Canucks.

"We evaluated every element to this and in the end it all pointed to the market being what it is and Markus' desire to return to Vancouver," Naslund's agent Mike Gillis, told the Province. "There's no doubt that competitiveness played a huge part in his decision and maybe the way it is now, you really do have to sacrifice a little to be on a winner.

"I mean, there's a reason why Martin Brodeur took less to stay playing in New Jersey. Obviously, money was not the overriding factor in Markus' final decision."

Naslund had 35 goals and 49 assists in 78 games in the 2003-04 season for Vancouver.

Neither is Neids as there were a ton of rumours surrounding him playing in Vancouver

We still need to bring in a couple of players to round out the roster, but he was the best UFA available (Forsberg was on skill, but he's too injury prone to bank 6-7million on).
If Nazzie had not returned, it would have been a long season in Vancouver this yr.
OS now we replace guys like Malik...and hopefully have enough cap room to make a decent acquisition at the deadline. Nazzie definitely needs scoring help in the playoffs.

This should be a breakout yr for Matt Cooke.

If the numbers on Nazzie are correct our payroll is now just under 36 million.

agreed - I think Cooke should be on the 2nd line full-time with the Sedins...I think Neidermayer is too expensive yet I just read we are still in the running and he may make a decision today...6M per is too much at d and I think we need to address our lack of secondary offense instead of putting that much money towards a d-man...

This is a great grab for the Canucks, hopefully Bertuzzi can come back soon and get the team rolling this season. Word is that no team will offer any player close the $7.8 mil limit and that most top tier players will get salaries between $6 - 6.5 mil.

Good for the Canucks

If Naslund and Niedermayer are signing in the 6-6.5 range, it's not going any higher than that for anyone, even Forsberg.

The Canucks payroll would go to 42.5 if Niedermayer were signed. That means dumping 3.5 in salaries. That is alot of salary to dump. So, no chance at him in Vancouver.

Cooke should definitely start playing with the Sedina on the 2nd line. He may even be better utilized on the top line with Naslund, and have Bert drop back and play with the Sedins at times.
Realistically we need another winger capable of playing on the top 2 lines. O'Neil would have been nice at 1.5, but his heart was in TO. Oh well there's still lots of time and FA's left. Something good will turn up.

There's the ESPN report...

Just to add...
This is the exciting part of the new NHL. There are a bunch of teams that are in the same postion. A few mill in cap room available, and it is what you do there that will determine your success.
Like the Leafs took a big shot signing Allison. A potential big pay off, or an anchor. But it's much more exciting and fan friendly this way isn't it?
I mean look at all the interest right now. Every team is in the same postion to sign players. Look what Calgary just did yesterday. Edmonton is a player in getting Pronger. Columbus with Foote.
This is a much better league to follow when everyone is able to compete on equal footing.

Now the problem of the on ice product...

Good to see Naslund back in Vancouver. However i don't think the team will get any better as long as they have Cloutier in nets, and now with no more cap room they can't go after another goalie so it looks like they're stuck with him. Anyone know the status of Morrison and Jovo?