Brendan Morrison and Todd Bertuzzi still in contact

I still have good memories of watching the exciting high scoring Canucks pre lock-out. My best wishes go out to ex-Canucks. It's a hard business to be in.

Here's an article by Randy Sportnak on canoe.ca:

ANAHEIM -- Last night's clash was the first time Brendan Morrison and Todd Bertuzzi had the chance to touch base.

That didn't prevent Morrison from being aware how his old West Coast Express linemate had been doing with the Flames.

"Oh, I know how many goals he has," Morrison said. "I know he's right up there among the league leaders."

It's been a few years now since Bertuzzi, Morrison and Markus Naslund combined to be one of the NHL's most formidable trios, racking up 119 goals and 272 points for Vancouver in the 2002-03 season.

They've all since relocated -- Naslund with the New York Rangers, Bertuzzi in Calgary and Morrison with the Anaheim Ducks. But they are keeping a close eye on each other.


Bertuzzi's strong start --seven goals and two assists -- after last night's meeting with Morrison's Ducks, wasn't lost on his old Canucks teammate.

"I'm happy for him. He's been through a lot the last few years," said Morrison, referring to more than just the infamous Steve Moore incident. "When you're an offensive player and don't end up with the points, it starts to wear on you. You can get down on yourself."

Until seeing each other yesterday, the pair had only kept track via text messages, but Morrison has a good read on Bertuzzi.

"It seems to me he's very happy with the team and with the way he's been embraced by the fans. He's happy, and it's showing when he goes out there and plays," Morrison said. "It's funny, but he's been offering me words of encouragement."

Morrison departed Vancouver after seven-plus seasons. A product of the Lower Mainland city Pitt Meadows, he no longer fit into the Canucks plans and inked a one-year, US$2.75-million contract with the Ducks.

"Vancouver is where we'll be after I'm done, but this was an easy decision to make," he said. "I had so many other places I could have gone, but this is where I wanted to be."

Unfortunately, the offensive production hasn't arrived yet.

Morrison has one assist in the first 13 games.

"It's been very tough. I could say it's my knee (after surgery in the summer) but it feels strong," Morrison said. "There just doesn't seem to be that jump, though. I know where I want to be and what I want to do, but I'm not doing it. I expect more of myself."

Morrison out with torn ACL

Snippet from MacIntyre's article yesterday:

t's also devastating, personally, for Morrison, who was the reigning NHL "ironman" until his streak of 542 consecutive games ended with his wrist injury in December. The recovery period for reconstructive knee surgery is four to six months, which means Morrison's value as a free agent will be diminished.

"To go so long with not having anything too major [happen] ... to basically missing a big portion [of the season] because of my wrist and now, at a critical time, when we're battling and you want to be in the lineup, it's tough," he said.

"These are the games you want to be in. Games that have a lot of meaning. Games where you can actually go out and help yourself. You want to be part of the team, want to go out and battle with the guy beside you. And when you can't do that, you feel like something has been taken away from you."

Asked how his injury could affect his value and future with the Canucks, Morrison said: "It's an issue. I'm sure everyone's going to be saying 'his healthy days are behind him and he's brittle now.' The hit I got last night was really not a hard hit at all. It was a play done 1,000 times before. I was hit on the side of my knee. As far as my future? I don't know. We'll sort things out here at the end of the year."

Yuck. Well it's no wonder that we're deflated, lacking drive and losing. You have no players, the players you do have are playing injured to begin with and there's no hope for any return of the players who are out. We've been playing playoff hockey since the start of the friggin season for crying out loud. Anyway, a big virtual hug to everyone on the team! You guys can do it! Do it for Trevor friggin Linden!!

A Catch up posting..

Sorry for the delay in updates.. So swamped at work and catching up on the school assignments and reading. Sure, I’ve procrastinated but I can still whine, no? Canucks win over LA 3-2.

Some King checked Mattias Ohlund and together they broke glass. Boo.. apparantly he took a beating last night. But he’s a guy and guys poo poo their injuries so I’m sure he’s fine. =D Trevor Linden scored last night.. and what a beautie! Morrison is the new iron man now with having played 491 straight games. He joked, "I never go into corners. It's easy to stay healthy that way."

So Vancouver, believe it or not, is still first in the division and caught up to San Jose and Dallas. The lack of puck luck from the beginning of the season has turned its tide and the team is now enjoying the wonderous puck luck from the puck lords!

Heh heh. In other news, Buffalo and Ottawa had an... interesting night last night. I like it when the goalies fight. Brings back memories of Dan Cloutier.. the good ones. Emery had a big smile on his face too. Gotta love that.