Who will have legacies of Luus or boos?
Two of the biggest Canucks storylines this season have been the “homecomings” of two players: Roberto Luongo and Ryan Kesler. While Luongo was showered with affection on Thursday night, Canucks fans hurled boos at Kesler during his first game back. Definitely two starkly different reactions to players once thought to be the backbone of the franchise. But what of the other longtime Canucks from 2011? With trade talks and free agency looming for some of the old guard, how will their legacies hold up if they leave? Will they be booed or will they be Lu’d?
HENRIK SEDIN
This is as slam dunk as it gets as far as having a jersey retirement ceremony. It’s safe to say no Canuck will ever wear No. 33 again. Henrik’s legacy is etched in stone. Not only does he have the stats and awards pedigree, but he also has that awesome iron man streak to get the support of fans who like tough guys. Admit it fans, Henrik Sedin is one hell of a tough guy. We bet even Sergio Momesso would agree with that.
Chances of Jersey Retirement: 100%
Chances of Ring of Honour Induction: n/a
What he’ll have to do to get “The Kesler Treatment”: Captain Hank can do no wrong in this city. Nothing short of spitting on the Roger Neilson statue while wiping his butt with a Trevor Linden jersey and kicking a puppy will cause fans to turn on him. Even then, we’d want to hear his side of it before rushing to judgment.
ALEX BURROWS
The man who “Slayed the Dragon” will be part of Canucks lore forever, and rightfully so. Burrows came from the humblest of beginnings (namely, Team Canada Ball Hockey) and became one of the best offensive weapons the Canucks had in their “dominant years. ”A lot of that comes from playing with the Sedins, but the French-Canadian pest still scored all those goals, some of which were the biggest in Canucks history. If the critics were right and “anyone could play with the Sedins and put up those numbers,” we’d be discussing Taylor Pyatt’s Canucks legacy. We will never be doing that. Ever.
Chances of Jersey Retirement: 10%
Chances of Ring of Honour Induction: 70%
What he’ll have to do to get “The Kesler Treatment”: Leave the Canucks and win Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins. We don’t begrudge ex-Canucks their Stanley Cup success (see Mitchell, Willie), but something about watching Burr hoist the Cup in those specific jerseys would kill us.
DAN HAMHUIS
“The Hammer” is super active in the community, and has been ever since he signed here. Also, the fact that he is a B.C. boy protects his legacy for the Canucks. As much as we love our foreign superstars, there is just something incredibly satisfying about seeing someone from B.C. in Canucks colours. He might not have the sexiest statline, but fans aren’t oblivious at all to the impact he makes on the ice. Also, hip checks. All of those sweet, sweet hip checks.
Chances of Jersey Retirement: 20%
Chances of Ring of Honour Induction: 50%
What he’ll have to do to get “The Kesler Treatment”: Admit that he never injured himself during the 2011 finals, and he just wanted some time off to “find himself.”
DANIEL SEDIN
Often viewed as “The Forgotten Sedin,” Daniel has learned to play in the shadow of Henrik, not just in hockey, but in life. When Henrik goes shopping, Daniel runs in when he’s done, pretending to be Henrik, who forgot to add one more purchase. “Just throw it on my card. Yes, the card I just used one minute ago. The card of Henrik Sedin. Who I clearly am. ”While Henrik gets a majority of the love, people will always view the Sedins as a package deal, so anything Henrik gets, Daniel will probably get as well, including jersey retirements.
Chances of Jersey Retirement: 99% (As always, just a small step behind Henrik)
Chances of Ring of Honour Induction: 100%
What he’ll have to do to get “The Kesler Treatment”: Admit he’s the evil twin and that he let the Bruins know Hank’s weak spot in 2011.“He doesn’t like to shoot, play the pass.”
ALEX EDLER
Much like a fine wine, Alex Edler’s reviews depend on which vintage you are talking about. 2011 Edler? Robust, strong, and with a hint of oak. 2012 Edler? Lacking complexity. A bit over-rated. 2014 Edler? Burn it. Throw it out and burn it. 2015 Edler? Subtle taste. The more you have, the better it gets. Due to the revolving door nature of people’s views on Edler, his legacy is a hard one to lock down. If he’s anything like Mattias Ohlund, however, he will finish his career in Vancouver much like he started it: Very very quietly.
Chances of Jersey Retirement: 5%
Chances of Ring of Honour Induction: 10%
What he’ll have to do to get “The Kesler Treatment”: Become super funny on Twitter once he leaves the Canucks. “Where was that when he was here?”
CHRIS HIGGINS
Higgins, one-third of the famed American Express Line (oh, what a glorious two weeks they had), was a huge role player for the Canucks in 2011. When he wasn’t playing on a broken foot, he was blocking shots and doing the dirty work in the corners. His play has dropped in recent years, but for a two-year stretch there wasn’t a harder working Canuck. So while he might never get his jersey retired due to his scoring, if they ever allow people to get a retired number due to their abs, Higgins will be a lock.
Chances of Jersey Retirement: 2% (Increases 15% for every ab if physical fitness is taken into account down the line)
Chances of Ring of Honour Induction: 2% (Increases 98% if “Ring of Honor” turns into “Power Abs Workout Ring Sponsored By Chris Higgins”)
What he’ll have to do to get “The Kesler Treatment”: Admit his abs were painted on. We believed in a lie?