A Win over the Wild 2-1 takes us into 1st!

Can you feel that playoff feeling? Last night's game in Minnesota was low scoring as expected but with Henrik and Daniel with a little help from Bieksa and Ohlund in OT, the Canucks took the second point delighting Canucks fans and disappointing Minny players and fans.

Oh, I love it when a plan comes together!
Oh, and just for the heck of it, here's a shot of Mattias Ohlund taking down a Blackhawk from the previous game against Chicago where the Canucks shut them out 4-0.

Now a little love for Ryan Johnson

Ryan Johnson is another one of my favourite players. Great home-grown ethics and values. Hmm.. seems like my preferences are centered around their work ethic rather than their hockey skills. Heh. Whatever.

7 more games til the playoffs!! I love hockey. If I had lots of money, I would travel to watch Canucks hockey.. and the tennis grand slams.. and sail.. and do European blading races.. and sample world cuisines. Screw working! Can't I retire yet?!

4-1 Canucks v. Avalanche

Boy, things have been busy! I managed to do an update to the Mattias Ohlund Appreciation Page (the first one in months). Prepping for a friend's wedding takes a lot of time and work. Thank goodness it'll be over with next week.

As for the Canucks, that last game against the Avs was a bit disconcerting. After the 1st period, it looked like we might end up losing to the last team in the Western conference (not that that would be a surprising occurance) but after the Canucks' second goal, it looked like the Avs wilted. 4-1 Canucks = 5th in the Western Conference still.

I almost missed this quote from Iain's article on Daniel Sedin getting stitched up and heading back out after a high stick took out a tooth:

"It's not easy to get a stick in the mouth and then come right back out and score a goal by going to the front of the net, sacrificing yourself," Luongo, the Canuck captain said. "He's the toughest Swede in the league."

We though that honour belonged to Canuck defenceman Mattias Ohlund.

"It did," Luongo said. "But he lost his title."

"I never had it," Ohlund said, "but I'll give it to Daniel on that one."

And here's another Ohlund article on nhl.com

Tony Gallagher on Ohlund

Here's a great one from Tony Gallagher from March 18..:

VANCOUVER- There was a certain poetry in the fact the Vancouver Canucks set a franchise record for consecutive victories at home on a night when Mattias Ohlund enjoyed one of the most deserved standing ovations in the 38-year history of this NHL team.

This most consistent of understated hard rock defencemen has been through thick and thin in his years with this franchise. It started when Vancouver had the right to match a Toronto offer when former GM Pat Quinn was trying to beat Ohlund for a few thousand dollars on his rookie contract. Quinn finally had to spend the money when Leaf GM Bill Watters at the time forced the issue with an attempt to poach the promising star.

Ohlund's been nothing but gold since he arrived and it's as though he's being somewhat rewarded for all his hard work with this team. Where it all ends up this season remains to be seen - as does his future in this league given he'll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the campaign - but for his years here the best way to describe him is with two words: captain material. He's never been named captain of course but you certainly get the feeling he received strong consideration at the outset of this season and had fellow Swede Markus Naslund not been the proceeding holder of the position, he might well have had a C on his jersey when he stood at the Vancouver bench Tuesday night acknowledging the fans' heart felt salute.

In his 11 years on the West Coast there's never been a night when he didn't give absolutely everything he had, and what he had was a whole lot of talent which had so many manifestations it's hard to pick what he's done best. Was it the great intimidation he provided with open ice hits? Was it his ability to move the puck, clear the front of the net, handle the other team's top forward or lead the franchise in points for a defenceman?

He's done it all and he's still doing it and if by some chance the dollars can be worked out at the end of the season, GM Mike Gillis would like nothing more for him to keep doing it for the foreseeable future. And so would his teammates.

``We've played together all of about three shifts in our three years together as teammates because they like to keep us apart but he's been a great teammate, composed, quiet and he's led the team in goals and points as well,'' says fellow defenceman Willie Mitchell. ``I don't think he knew exactly what was going to happen but we knew they'd do something so we were all kidding him before the game. I don't think he's too comfortable taking credit like that.''

Indeed he was not.

``It was really nice that it came on a night when the team is playing so well and we're having a lot of fun,'' said Ohlund of the salute for becoming the club's all-time leading scorer as a defender. ``We feel good about our team but we've felt good about it before and not had the kind of playoff success we'd hoped for. Obviously we're hoping this year will be different.''

Ohlund's 62-year old father Kenneth, who used to coach him as a youngster as he came up through the Swedish club system, would have been proud watching on the satellite at four in the morning back home.

``They get about 30-35 games a year live and he's up for all of them,'' says Ohlund of his dad

Ohlund has been through all kinds of injuries over the years yet shown remarkable durability through all the hurts a physical defenceman will suffer over so many years, not the least of which were the serious eye problems early in his career which could well have kept him out of the hearts of Vancouver fans.

Yet he persevered, maybe took a little less money to stay with the Canucks in a couple of his deals to help bring this team to where it is this season. He'd like to see it go a lot further of course, but that chapter hasn't yet been written. What he's done to date however will almost certainly guarantee more standing ovations from these fans in the future, whether he's wearing a Canuck uniform or returning some day in a suit after his retirement.

322 points for Mattias Ohlund!

Awww.. so little Ohlie (Viktor, not Alex Edler) apparently keeps tabs on his dad's stats and knew about Mattias' imminent record of all-time points by a Canucks defenseman.

I knew by the way the camera kept panning to Ohlund that he'd taken the record last night and strained my ears to hear his interview but I must've missed the part about his son.

Aside: The crowd at GM place gave Ohlund a standing ovation. Awwwwwwww..

From Eliott Pap:

VANCOUVER — Mattias Ohlund had more than just the media observing his pursuit of the Vancouver Canucks’ franchise record for points by a defenceman. He was getting constant reminders from a member of his immediate family as well.

“My son is a real stats boy,” Ohlund said Sunday after his third-period assist — and 322nd Canuck point — pushed him past Jyrki Lumme and Dennis Kearns for the all-time lead. “He knows the stats better than I do. He reads the paper and was talking about it at home.”

Ohlund, 32, has been a Canuck his entire career. He was drafted in the first round in 1994, less than two weeks after Vancouver’s improbable march to the Stanley Cup final. It took him almost 11 seasons and 756 games to surpass Lumme and Kearns, who co-held the mark.

“Obviously it means I’ve played a lot of games, that’s what it means,” said the modest Swede with a smile. “At this time of year, it’s not something you think about too much. It’s just fun being a part of this group right now with the way we are playing.”

Ohlund’s record-setting point came on Vancouver’s fourth goal — a power-play tally by Alex Edler — and put away the pesky Colorado Avalanche 4-2. Ohlund finally admitted, after some prodding, that he was proud to claim a second team record. He also holds the mark for most goals by a Canuck defenceman (92).

“When you think about it, it is something nice to have, I guess,” he said.

Ohlund will have to go some to collect the record for most assists by a blueliner, held by Kearns at 290. He trails the latter by 59 and, with his contract up, likely won’t get the seasons needed to take a serious run at it.

I need some distance in this relationship..

My resolution for this year's playoffs is that I will not become 100% emotionally invested in the success of the Canucks. Being a Canucks fan is like being in a goddamned relationship. You experience elation, pain, heartbreak, fury and but really.. you're just a 3rd party to the whole thing. Ridiculous!

This Province article from Ed Willes March 4, 2009 really captures the reality of the Ohlund situation I think. Thanks Ed.

Ohlund will be remembered no matter what
Pending UFA might go, might stay but will always be blueline horse

After 11 seasons and 751 regular-season games, the best defenceman in Vancouver Canucks' history understands the future holds no guarantees.

And he's OK with that. Back at the start of this season, it was made clear to Mattias Ohlund there's a fundamental difference in the way the Canucks interpret his value and the way he interprets his value. He believes he's a front-line NHL defenceman and should be compensated as such.

The Canucks, who already have four proven blueliners under contract for next season, have a slightly different take on things.

But far from being a source of angst, that knowledge has been liberating to the 32-year-old Ohlund. Six months ago, he went through his dark night of the soul and now he's at peace with his circumstances. Whatever happens will happen. And if that means a new team and a new start, it won't for a second diminish Ohlund's affection for a place he's called home for over a decade.

"This is a positive thing," Ohlund said before Tuesday night's 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. "I'm not sitting around feeling sorry for myself because I know how lucky I've been the last 11 years.

"I'm excited about the future. I'm excited about the uncertainty. This hasn't been a distraction. It's way past that. I've had a lot of times to reflect on things."

And in that reflection there's been little room for sorrow.

Ohlund, as the faithful know, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after 11 seasons of meritorious service to the Canucks. The organization has said it won't ask him to waive his no-trade clause for today's deadline, which means they run the risk of losing him without compensation this summer.

But, despite some wild rumours to the contrary, GM Mike Gillis and his staff have seemingly made the determination that Ohlund is more valuable to the Canucks in their playoff drive than he is as a trade bauble.

That's also the way the system should work. Ohlund earned the no-trade clause and he's earned the right to sell himself on the open market. The Canucks, for their part, have options of their own and they don't believe Ohlund is a fit in their future payroll at front-line dollars.

It's nothing personal. It's just business. It's also possible Ohlund will return to the Canucks next season.

As of this writing, it's just not very likely.

"I see myself as a good player, a player you'd want to have on your team," Ohlund said. "Maybe they have a different feeling, but I don't want to be kept around just because I've been here a long time.

"Maybe when I'm 36 I'll feel that way."

"He wants to play this thing out," said his agent J.P. Barry. "This might be the last thing he does with this team and he wants to help them win."

To that end, Ohlund hasn't enjoyed a vintage season. When healthy, he's knocked off 10-goal, 30-point, 25-minutes-per-game campaigns like clockwork.

But this year, much of his offence has been supplanted by young Alex Edler and Ohlund sits with just four goals and, more significantly, 21:45 of ice time per game, third among Canucks' defencemen.

"I'd like to play more," he said. "That's no secret."

Still, Ohlund doesn't believe his game has dropped off. Changed, yes. Deteriorated, no.

"I'm going to be honest," he said. "I think my season has been pretty good. My role has changed. But that's part of the business."

There's that word again.

In the right circumstances, Ohlund still believes he's that blueline horse who commands the big minutes and the big dollars. It remains to be seen, of course, if another team shares that conviction and, if they do, this will be Ohlund's last season in Vancouver.

But he'll be remembered here, remembered as a player who embodied the qualities of consistency and reliability.

There was never anything particularly flashy about Ohlund's game. He simply showed up for battle each night, lined up against the other team's best and played his heart out.

Maybe that sounds like it can be replaced. Maybe it's a lot more difficult than it seems.

Barry on the Sedins.. and Ohlund

Sedins staying put on trade day Jim Jamieson:

The agent for Daniel and Henrik Sedin said Monday that he doesn't believe there's much chance his clients could be moved in a pre-NHL trade-deadline deal and that negotiations with the Vancouver Canucks are hinging on a contract term both sides can agree on.

Both Daniel and Henrik are on track to become unrestricted free agents on July 1, but want to re-sign and would like to finish their careers in Vancouver. Both are completing contracts that pay $3.575 million US per season.

Calgary-based agent J.P. Barry of CAA Sports said that Wednesday afternoon trade deadline doesn't represent a pressure point for Canucks management to either have a deal done or make a trade to avoid the prospect of losing the twins to another team for nothing in the summer.

"I never really anticipated a chance of a trade, quite frankly," said Barry. "In this situation, it's more about us finding a common ground. I'm sure that will probably continue after the trade deadline.

"I get the sense from both sides that there is a willingness from both sides to make something happen. It's just a matter of taking the time to understand the landscape in front of us and come to a deal that's mutually acceptable."

Barry said he has had some discussions in recent weeks regarding the Sedins, but classified them as "basic."

"It's an ongoing dialogue about the economy, the salary cap, what the world's going to look like, what it takes to make up a team, but no progress about the actual contract negotiations," said Barry.

Barry said a successful deal with hinge on term, with the value of the contract driven by that.

"All the discussions today have been on longer-term deals, in the range of three-four-five (years)," he said. "From our end, it's more toward the five-year range. A longer term deal could equal one (salary) value (per season) and a shorter-term deal could equal another, but we haven't come to any agreement on a term yet."

Henrik said he and Daniel are seeking a deal longer than three years.

"We want to play our whole careers here and we're going to play longer than three more years," he said.

Barry said no talks were presently scheduled for the Sedins or defenceman Mattias Ohlund, also due to become an unrestricted free agent.

Barry said Canucks management wants to wait until the end of the season to see how "Mattias is playing, how the rest of the defence is playing and whether or not they make any changes" before talking further about Ohlund.

Mattias Ohlund is the best defenceman the Canucks have ever had

I wasn't too worried about Ohlund's contract renewal but I'm seeing things that I don't like.

First of all, negotiation is an art form. It takes skill, balls and patience to play well because there are definite risks to take. The other side has to see that you are able to walk away. Ohlie's situation is hard to read because both sides are well skilled at negotiation tactics.

If I were management, I would look towards ensuring that there would be skill and consistency for the future. Bieksa's and Edler's contracts are in place so..
Check.

Next would be to quietly show that every player is replacable. Throughout the year, Ohlund's ice time has been played with. As with all experienced employees, management uses their experience, work ethic and skill to train newbies and gradually wean the organization's dependance on them.
Check.

As for public backlash, after having dealt with the departure of the most loved Canuck of all time, Trevor Linden, it looks as though the Canucks would be willing to let the PR department handle Ohlund's departure as well.

I see the signs and I don't like it. Ohlund is not replacable. He's skilled at both ends, well rounded, hard working, physical and dependable. He's loyal and has proven that he can be a defenceman in the new NHL and essential in the playoffs. In the words of Jim Robson, "I think Mattias Ohlund is the best defenceman the Canucks have ever had."

Some more quotes on the awesomeness of Mattias Ohlund:
John McGourty's article on NHL.com:

Nonis was told that opponents and former teammates speak in glowing terms about Ohlund. One departed Canucks defenseman recently insisted he is one of the top ten defensemen in the NHL. He plays the position so smoothly, he rarely gets noticed.

"I would agree he is among the 10 best defensemen," Nonis said. "He's so quiet. He's not a guy that draws attention to himself. He just goes about his business. He's a very good defenseman that we use against all the top players in the NHL. He's also a guy who puts up decent point totals.

NHL.com

Ohlund, 30, is the complete package: A 6-foot-2, 220-pounder with great skating ability, strength and anticipation who has a cannon for a shot. Ohlund gained a reputation as injury-prone early in his NHL career, but that thought should be dispelled. Ohlund has missed only four games in three of his past four NHL seasons, sandwiched around his 59-game season in 2002-03. Ohlund led the Canucks last season with 25:40 minutes of average ice time, just ahead of Salo's 24:29.

Teammates, former teammates and rivals speak with great respect for Ohlund, the 13th overall pick of the 1994 draft. An eight-year veteran, Ohlund has played most of his career in Jovanovski's shadow, although he was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy in his rookie season. Fans last season voted him the best Canucks' defenseman and at age 30, he's ready to take an NHL leadership role. He set an NHL career high with eight power-play goals. Ohlund has 67 goals and 178 assists for 245 points in 558 NHL games.

Rinkside - Lukas Ackroyd:

Whether doling out big hits or delivering tape-to-tape passes, Ohlund simply gets the job done.

“He’s so solid,” said teammate and fellow Swede Daniel Sedin. “He rarely makes a mistake. You know what you’re going to get from him every game. Among the top Swedish NHL defensemen, he’s right up there."

Ossi Vaananen joins the club

The Canucks cliamed this finnish defenceman off of waivers this week and though he skated with the Canucks, he was not in the lineup for tonight's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Looks like we're stacked with D men for the playoffs!

Pavol and Jannik - I hope your broken fingers heal better than Ryan Johnson's!