My views on team turmoil

Original date written: January 27, 1998
*Note, this was written shortly after the owners bestowed the power of trade upon Coach Keenan.

Coach, now that you have the power to make trades, can you do me a favour and trade me? I've been a fan of the Canucks for so long I don't know how not to be one so maybe if I was sent to another team I might be able to do it. I know, your gonna say just be patient things will change, there are some good signs but honestly don't ya think I've heard all of that before? Don't get me wrong, I love the game and your right, there are some signs of life but I at least want to be able to like the team! You know how frustrated people are getting and we all know you'll be making some trades soon but again, as a long suffering fan, I've been there done that. Sure, it's gonna be different this time, you're a different coach, you have a different style. You know what, I've noticed. You can't help but see all of the dissention surrounding the team, the media are even starting to run out of things to say, that's something I never thought I'd see! You can only say the same things so many different ways. So when you're sitting in your great big chair in your great big office putting together a great big deal, feel free to throw me into the package.

This next one was originally written on April 4, 1998
*Note, the paper did not have the courage to print this one, gee, I don't understand why.

Messier, what's this I hear about the ice? Now, I've been preoccupied in the last little while and haven't heard all that was said but, correct me if I'm wrong 'cause I haven't been to a game this season, any guesses as to why, but aren't you still playing on the same ice as the other team? You know the other team don't you? They're the ones who are really happy you're a Canuck center, finally someone to pass them the puck! How many times have we seen poor Pavel yelling over to you "hey, remember me? I'm on your team!" Perhaps he would hav more luck pretending he wasn't? I give Gino Odjick a high five for finally giving us someone who's not afraid to speak up for us, the fans, and the team. Unfortunately our team captian thinks we are really gullable. Do you actually think if you weren't here, Keenan would be?? As for the revolving door that follows the coach, I strongly request you play by play guys to, please, say so and so, for WHICH TEAM!! At least on tv we can see what colour of uniform it is if we bother to look. Messier, the bottom line is, I made a bet with my cousin before the season that if we made the playoffs I'd hang a sigh off the Patuello Bridge saying "I'm sorry Mark, I was wrong." Now I think you owe one to us, the fans. You have proven to me right from the start that you are here for the money. Why else would you sign with a last place team? This is so evident with your lack of enthusiasm on the ice. Take a look at some of the rookies or Bure on a good night, you'll see what enthusiasm looks like. You never show the passion for the game you see with Mogilny when things aren't going his way. Some call it a tantrum but they've obviously never played the game before. You only experience that level of frustration with the game when you actually want to be playing it. I could easily go on and on but I'd need someone's column for the next week so I'll leave it at this. Do you really want to be here next season?

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