That rug really tied the room together
Jul 7th, 2008 | By Mike | Category: Sad
Via TSN, it’s finally over. The slow death of the WCE took a few years but in the span of a few days all three have been sent to the respective corners of the globe. Sort of what happens when someone is drawn and quartered.
I come not to speak ill of the dead, but to praise what was the best line in hockey for a few years. I see no problem in recognizing the skill these three had nor being upfront with the fact that all three likely had their best seasons on this team playing on a single line and that really does not happen often (ever again?) for this club.
Some people will criticize that getting rid of all three of them didn’t happen fast enough. To each their own. But all three remain in the top ten point producers in team history and to ignore that is absurd to me. We all share in common the wonder of what could have been if (a) Dan Cloutier and (b) Marc Crawford had been just a shade better at their jobs during the time these guys were peaking.
And I can’t help but notice the final insult is where these three now call home. Personally, you can’t get worse then the Rangers to me, but if you asked me to point at who comes close it would have to be the Flames (the rivalry has cooled a bit but they still loathe each other) and the Ducks would be close too for their Cup run last year. Ugh.
But I reiterate – their best years were here. We should be grateful. So, even though from here on out they’re the enemy, I’ll praise ‘em one final time (besides, it’s fun to reminisce of what having a first line felt like):
Naslund
- Setting up Cooke on the final rush in regulation, Game 7 against the Flames, 2003-04 playoffs [video]
- Undressing Pronger and scoring while falling, Game 4 against the Ducks, 2006-07 playoffs [video]
Morrison
- Triple OT goal, Game 6 against the Flames, 2003-04 playoffs [video]
Bertuzzi
- Hat trick in MSG, the day Pavel Bure debuted for the Rangers, 2002. Note the picture in this post is from that game. [recap]
July 7th, 2008 9:17 pm
Great stuff. That Cooke goal was a classic…especially given that the Canucks coughed up the game/series winner about 2 minutes later in Overtime.
July 8th, 2008 3:35 am
Seriously…some of the good times were still in losing efforts. Just adds to the complicated nature of the entire thing. I know there are more for each player but I couldn’t find any reference to them online….like Morrison’s shootout goal last year against the Wings where he lost like 5 teeth earlier in the game.
July 8th, 2008 6:38 am
A very nice tribute, especially for a guy who’s seeing one member off (Bert) and one member coming aboard (B-Mo).
Plus potshots at Crawford and Cloutier are always a welcome read!
July 8th, 2008 6:44 am
Earl – You know I just realized (I think Mirtle referenced it) that the Ducks were worse in scoring the Vancouver? So Morrison will be right at home!
But I’m curious to see how he does in Anaheim, especially if he can come back fully from those injuries. If he can, you probably got the best of the three (now watch Bertuzzi will make me eat those words).
July 8th, 2008 8:56 am
You know I just realized (I think Mirtle referenced it) that the Ducks were worse in scoring the Vancouver?
Yeah, but while Mirtle talks about having to find replacements for Bert and Weight as if that’s some sort of obstacle, I’m thinking dropping those two names should help the offense automatically.
Still, it may be shady finding B-Mo some solid linemates, especially if Teemu’s out. That line-carrying might strike him as familiar.
July 8th, 2008 1:32 pm
Oh ya I forgot you had Weight too. I guess the Ducks had more nonperformance last year then I thought. Yet you still made the playoffs…I’ll have to look at the goals surrendered. No doubt your defense was less ravaged then ours…unless you have a Mike Weaver-esque player I also don’t know about!
July 8th, 2008 2:01 pm
I’ll have to look at the goals surrendered.
This post is probably a good place to start, as it breaks things down pre- and post-Niedermayer, which seems to be an important distinction. With Scott on-board, the GA was lights-out.