Trevor Linden’s Post-Deadline Thoughts: A “Much better feeling”

Exactly one year ago, Trevor Linden and Jim Benning were under heavy scrutiny for their activity  lack of activity leading up to the trade deadline. Despite their slim chances, their goal around that time was to obtain a wildcard position. Knowing a trade of Dan Hamhuis or Radim Vrbata would negate the ever so slim possibility, they decided that a below-market value return was simply not worth it. The tides have since turned. Although the Canucks are in a relatively similar position now as they were last season, management (and maybe even ownership) has taken a complete 180 and diverted away from the goal that they publicized even just a few months ago.

It was a successful trade deadline for the organization, and not just in the eyes of Canucks fans. The hockey media has recognized the team’s change in direction and declared them one of the winners of the 2017 Trade Deadline.

First, I’ll just get it out of the way and say that, although it was a successful few days, it stung. I’m a sentimental person, and to lose two players who have been with the organization for more than a decade is sad. If you weren’t in the least weirded out by the realization that both Jannik “Honey Badger” Hansen and Alex “Dragon Slayer” Burrows were no longer a part of the organization and city, maybe you should reflect for a bit. Obviously, it’s strange to see them play for different teams, but it was also necessary for the Canucks to “transition” in an efficient way.

In Elliotte Friedman’s 30 Thoughts, Trevor Linden declared that past week’s activities had left him with a “Much better feeling” than last year’s. Call it what you want: a rebuild, retool, transition, transformation, etc… It appears that management has had a change of heart. In recent interviews, Jim Benning diverted away from his oh-so-frequent sayings of “We can compete for a playoff spot.” His new motto has become “We want to get younger, faster, and more skilled so we can [build a Stanley Cup contending team for the future].” Lies would be a hard word to describe his previous cliches – I’d say ambitious is more appropriate. Nonetheless, all that talk is gone. 

Dating back to the John Tortorella year, (most) fans have been begging for what the Canucks did in two days. It’s been four years in the making, but it seems management has folded. When Linden said he had a “Much better feeling” after the deadline, he wasn’t just speaking for himself. I believe I can speak for a majority of Canucks fans in that it’s certainly refreshing to see the out with the old, and in with the new. It’s sad, but it’s refreshing and much-anticipated. They brought in two high-end prospects in Jonathan Dahlen and Nikolay Goldobin, which only makes fans more optimistic about the future.

Although a full-on rebuild would require trading the likes of Alex Edler, Chris Tanev, and the Sedins, Linden said “We decided we must have people who can steady the ship. We placed high priority on that.” Quite honestly, it makes full sense. Maybe trading one more veteran for a young asset might be okay, but his statement does make sense. Think about Alex Burrows and the impact that he had on Horvat and Baertschi, and think about Troy Stecher and Nikita Tryamkin having Edler and Tanev to look up to. Having a team full of U25s might seem fun at first, but it could get ugly at times.

That said, Daniel and Henrik Sedin might be in for gloomy last few seasons. Not only because the team’s competitiveness may decline, but also because two of their closest teammates are gone. Jannik Hansen perfectly summed up their relationship in his final words with Canucks media:

Over the past few seasons, the Sedins have seen their long-time teammates move on to competitive, Stanley Cup-contending teams. The 16-year faces of the franchise are some of the few left standing from the long-lasting core that was, which left Daniel with some sad words:

I’m not saying they’re not good now, but their performances last season left some thinking they could pull off an almost Jaromir Jagr-type of career (obviously stretching it a bit). At 36 years-old, their step down might have been steeper than some may have expected. Linden told Friedman, “They have told us they will decide year-to-year.” Fair enough. Staying in the league at their age is already a rarity. They’ve put their heart and soul into this team and endured the highest of the highs and lowest of the lows. Right before the Burrows trade, Linden and Benning met with the twins and told them about the direction. The true direction. Playoffs aren’t a priority anymore – it’s about the future. Linden said, “I didn’t expect anything different from them than what happened. They are such good people. I think they understand where we and where we are going to.” 

Like any other NHL team, there’s going to be a time when the long-lasting core begins to disperse. Fans have called for it for quite some time, but management tried to delay it. This week, it finally happened. The focus is on surrounding the younglings with veterans to ease their transition and guide them through the highs and lows. Let them grow and develop alongside players who have done it themselves and succeeded. At times, it seemed like the team was starting to lose its fans. There were moments of frustration with the direction that management was presenting, but that is no more. Exhale everyone, because this 2017 Trade Deadline marked the much-anticipated moment that it was about the future. Mr Linden, [most of us] have a “Much better feeling” as well.