The West Coast Express: Four Years Later

Jeff Angus

2008-08-26

 Naslund, Bertuzzi and Morrison

 

The once vaunted trio of Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison, and Todd Bertuzzi are now all located on different NHL clubs – none of them being Vancouver. From 2002-2004, they dominated the Western Conference and the rest of the NHL on a nightly basis. All three are coming off disappointing seasons and are looking to rebound in new environments. Will it happen? Read on…

 

Once the NHL’s iron man, Brendan Morrison went through his fair share of injuries last season. He was bothered by a wrist problem all season, and then blew out his ACL near the end of the year. He is on the wrong side of 30, so be wary of him coming off such a big injury. He will be playing on the second line in Anaheim with rookie Bobby Ryan, but the third member of that line remains a mystery. For both Morrison and the Ducks, let’s hope that Teemu Selanne returns, because it is slim pickings after him. Morrison is a lock for 45 points, but don’t expect him to get over 55. His best attribute is speed, and a knee that is at anything less than 100% is going to affect his game in a big, big way.

Markus Naslund and Vancouver will both be better off with him leaving and going to New York. The captaincy was obviously weighing on him, as was his inability to generate anything offensively without the help of the Sedins. Naslund was once the premier forward of the NHL, but his elbow injury sustained from the Steve Moore hit took the zing out of his famous wrist shot. The Rangers overpaid for him by giving him anything more than one year, and if they expect him to replace Jaromir Jagr they are in a world of hurt. Naslund will play better without the spotlight that a letter brings, but don’t expect anything more than 60 or 65 points. He had a great stretch in November of last season, where he was getting involved physically and going into the high traffic areas (and producing, what a coincidence), but his fragile confidence and inconsistency soon reared its ugly head once again.

📢 advertisement:

It will take some getting used to when Todd Bertuzzi dons the Flaming C this season in Calgary. He says that the only reason he signed there was because of the recruitment job of Jarome Iginla – but Mike Keenan definitely had a hand in this move. This marks the third time that a club with Keenan either coaching or managing has acquired Bertuzzi (Vancouver and Florida previously). Bertuzzi is a shell of his former self and the Ducks found that out the hard way. He is playing at a much lighter weight and seems to have lost his physical edge. He will have to step his game up if he wants to contribute in the physical Northwest division. Of the three members of the West Coast Express, he has the best chance to earn his keep. He signed a cheap one-year deal and the Flames are expecting him to play second line minutes and put up 20/20 type numbers. The first Vancouver/Calgary game will be very interesting to watch.

Leave A Comment

UPCOMING GAMES

May 25 - 15:05 EDM vs DAL

Starting Goalies

Top Skater Views

  Players Team
ROOPE HINTZ DAL
WILLIAM EKLUND S.J
PATRIK LAINE MTL
RONI HIRVONEN TOR
EVAN RODRIGUES FLA

Top Goalie Profile Views

  Players Team
FREDERIK ANDERSEN CAR
KAREL VEJMELKA UTA
MATT VILLALTA UTA
SEMYON VARLAMOV NYI
DUSTIN WOLF CGY

LINE COMBOS

  Frequency WSH Players
19.9 TOM WILSON ALIAKSEI PROTAS PIERRE-LUC DUBOIS
19.2 DYLAN STROME ALEX OVECHKIN ANTHONY BEAUVILLIER
17.8 TAYLOR RADDYSH BRANDON DUHAIME NIC DOWD

DobberHockey Podcasts

Fantasy Hockey Life: Seattle Kraken with RJ Eskanos

RJ Eskanos of Emerald City Hockey is here to report on the Seattle Kraken. Jesse and Victor interview RJ about returning pros Jared McCann, Chandler Stephenson, Jaden Schwartz, Jordan Eberle, Kaapo Kakko, Shane Wright, Matty Beniers, Andre Burakovsky, Eeli Tolvanen, Jani Nyman, Vince Dunn, Brandon Montour, Ryker Evans, Joey Daccord, and Philipp Grubauer. In Cat’s […]

Keeping Karlsson: KK Leagues Report – 2025 Champs!

Derrick talks to the big winners of the various Keeping Karlsson leagues from this past season. He’s first joined by the new KKUPFL Ultimate Champion Ian and the reigning fast-track winner Alec. Then Derrick is joined by the year 1 KK Dynasty League champions Ian (different Ian), Saqib, and Brett, aka the “Good ol’ Ottawa Boys”.

Fantasy Hockey Life: Anaheim Ducks with Derek Lee

Derek Lee of the Hockey News is here to report on the Anaheim Ducks. Jesse and Victor interview him about returning pros Troy Terry, Mason McTavish, Trevor Zegras, Frank Vatrano, Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Sam Colangelo, Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger, Pavel Mintyukov, Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba, Lukas Dostal, and John Gibson. In Cat’s Instincts, Cat […]

Fantasy Hockey Life: Fluto Shinzawa Boston Bruins Preview

Fluto Shinzawa of the New York Times joins the show to break down the Boston Bruins. Jesse and Victor ask him about David Pastrnak, Morgan Geekie, Pavel Zacha, Elias Lindholm, Casey Mittelstadt, Matthew Poitras, Fraser Minten, Charlie McAvoy, Mason Lohrei, Hampus Lindholm, Jeremy Swayman, and Joonas Korpisalo. Cat’s instincts covers prospect goalies Brandon Bussi and […]

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

📢 advertisement: