For The Non-Believers

With Linden's retirement coming up fast (December 17th for those under a rock), there's been talks of whether Naslund will have his jersey retired. He leads the Canucks in practically all offensive categories and is the longest serving captain we've ever had. So will his jersey be retired? My answer is: not before Bure's. That's right I said it, Pavel Bure deserves to have his jersey retired before Naslund.

Bure's blinding speed was only matched with his amazing stick handling abilities. If you gave him a hole he'd punch through it before you were able to turn around, if you blocked him he'd undress you silly with his deke's. Although he only played 428 games as part of the Vancouver Canucks, he tallied 478 points. Before Ovechkin scored 60+ goals in a single season, the last player to do it was Pavel Bure (keep in mind Bure played during a time when clutching and grabbing were legal). There have been players that have been as fast as Bure (I recall him losing to Sergei Federov in a race around the rink), but Bure was able to stick handle while skating full speed. Take a look at quick skaters like Gaborik or Ovechkin, they're pushing the puck forward, not stick handling.

Regardless of the fact that he has been this city's only superstar (Bobby Lou's pretty close though), Bure will be resented for leaving the team. The story goes that he was being treated unfairly by the entire Vancouver organization, and so he wanted out, but no one aside from those involved know the true story.

Bure wanting out shouldn't be the defining point in determining whether his jersey is retired or not, everyone forgets that at one point in time, not only the entire city of Vancouver, but even fans from around the world was in love with the Russian Rocket. Proof can be found here with 40,000 screaming fans packed into BC Place in appreciation of the '94 team, but the deafening roar when Bure came on goes beyond imagination:



Want further proof? Here is a video that shows what he did for this city, pay attention to
0:39 Stick to skate to stick and in, what a beauty.
1:26 What a stud.
1:40 Stan Smyl #12 the man with his jersey RETIRED, says that he CANNOT do the things Bure does full speed even if he was walking.
2:47 Goal to complete comback by the Canucks against the Flames in the '94 playoffs.
3:15 His FIRST shift ever as a Canuck, and he embarrasses the whole Winnipeg team.
6:15 Jim Robson, voice of the Canucks, summarizes why he's the best.



Bure still holds the franchise record for most points in a single season with 110 points, two back to back 60 goal seasons, and is considered widely as the most electrifying player ever. If this man doesn't deserve to have his jersey retired, then no one does.