CA’s All-Time Greatest Canucks Team: Daniel Sedin
By Jeremy Davis
8 years ago
No two Canucks have ever been quite as successful as Daniel and Henrik Sedin, and it’s just an added bit of serendipity that they happen to look exactly alike.
In 1999, then-GM Brian Burke made several moves at the NHL Entry Draft to ensure that the Canucks (who began the weekend with the 3rd overall selection and ended up with the 2nd AND 3rd overall selections) would be the only team to leave town with both Sedin twins, who were already budding stars in the Swedish Elite League.
In the 15 years since, the Sedins have become the identical faces of the franchise, pillars of the community, and etched their names all over the Canucks record books. Daniel is known as the shooting Sedin, but his passing abilities are almost as impressive as his brother’s.
Career Statistics
Most Memorable Moments
Due to some injuries in the 2009-2011 area, Daniel is lagging behind Henrik in games played, and thus in points (since their points per game numbers are nearly identical). As such, he hasn’t been able to break many Canuck records, as Henrik typically got there first. He did, however, break the records for powerplay goals and overtime goals just recently. At 327 career goals, he sits just 19 back of Canuck all-time leader Markus Naslund. With a good year, he could set the record as soon as this season. If not, it’s only a matter of time.
Canucks Milestones
- 2011 Art Ross Trophy
- 2011 Ted Lindsay Award
- 2011 NHL First All-Star Team
- 2010 NHL Second All-Star Team
- 2nd All-Time in Canucks Regular Season Points (881)
- 2nd All-Time in Canucks Regular Season Goals (327)
- 2nd All-Time in Canucks Regular Season Assists (554)
- 2nd All-Time in Canucks Regular Season Plus-Minus (+177)
- 3rd All-Time in Canucks Regular Season Games Played (1061)
- 1st All-Time in Canucks Regular Season Powerplay Goals (115)
- 1st All-Time in Canucks Regular Season Game Winning Goals (72)
- 1st All-Time in Canucks Regular Season Overtime Goals (13)
- 1st All-Time in Canucks Regular Season Shots on Goal (2811)
- 5th Highest Single Season Point Total (104)
- 3rd All-Time in Canucks Playoff Points (71)
- 4th All-Time in Canucks Playoff Goals (25)
- 3rd All-Time in Canucks Playoff Assists (46)
- 3rd All-Time in Canucks Playoff Games Played (102)
- 2nd All-Time in Canucks Playoff Powerplay Goals (10)
- 2nd All-Time in Canucks Playoff Game Winning Goals (6)
- 1st All-Time in Canucks Playoff Shots on Goal (304)
Legacy
Daniel and twin brother Henrik are destined to have everlasting impacts on this franchise and this city. Not only due to their dominance on the ice, but their contributions to the community. Despite the fact that they haven’t always had an easy time in Vancouver, they have never been quiet regarding their adoration of their adoptive home. In 2010, they jointly donated $1.5 million to BC Children’s Hospital hospital, noting that they felt so fortunate to be a part of our community that they wanted to give something back. Like holy s#$% guys, these are some incredible human beings.
The Sedins lead dual legacies in the NHL. Nobody in the world of hockey is unaware of who they are, but all opinions seems to be to the extreme: they truly are a “love ’em or hate ’em” pair. Where the hatred for the Sedins stems from is something that is really beyond my comprehension as a Canucks fan. There cannot possibly be two greater ambassadors to the game, and yet they are consistently ridiculed throughout other NHL markets, the insults ranging from divers, to girls or sisters (if you happen to be a sexist prick that thinks calling someone a girl is an insult), to just plain weird (or even odd as s#$%). I have to imagine that this is a combination of jealousy, a lack of understanding, or hurt feelings on account of the Sedins dominating the hater’s favourite team.
Of course, even in Vancouver they are not free of criticism. The term “sisters” originated on Vancouver air waves. Even at the conclusion of this past season, there were Vancouver fans insisting that the Sedins be moved to the second line, as they were “no longer first line players”, despite the fact that the numbers demonstrate that they are still elite players both in terms of production and possession.
The more knowledgeable fan tends to be on the other side of the ledger: they love the Sedins. Regardless of your allegiance, the Sedins are something to behold as a hockey fan in general. The term Sedinery (referring to their dazzling brand of possession hockey that often makes opponents look downright foolish) is known throughout the NHL, and will likely maintain a place in hockey legend for some time.
Daniel has long been differentiated from Henrik by the fact that he is known as the goal scorer. He is slightly faster than Henrik, somewhat more aggressive, and his shot has more mustard on it. However, he’s gained most of his points but simply being in the right place at the right time. Daniel Sedin is particularly adept at finding open ice, and nobody in the game of hockey can find another player like Henrik finds Daniel.
True, in recent Daniel has lost some of his scoring touch, be it from the natural aging process or that dirty bastard Duncan Keith. Every now and again though it shows up in flashes, particularly when he starts taking more shots, leaving hope that there are still some good times yet to come.
The question of where the Sedins will finish their careers still remains, particularly as the Canucks seem to be going through a gradual rebuild that will eat away the remaining years of their current NHL contracts. I’ve explored the possibility of them being traded before, and many will do so again in the future. If I had to guess, though, I’d bet that the Sedins never play a game in any other uniform. The other question we will hear more and more in the future is, are they good enough for the Hall of Fame? (More on that later). In any case, a decade from now there is no doubt that you will be able to look up to the rafters of Rogers Arena and see the numbers 22 and 33 hanging there, rightfully enshrined as the two greatest Canucks to ever play the game.
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