Naslund: Bertuzzi incident was draining
Canadian Press
4/26/2004
VANCOUVER (CP) - Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund says this past season was an emotionally draining one with too many outside distractions.
A week after his team was bounced from the NHL playoffs, Naslund said teammate Todd Bertuzzi's hit on Colorado's Steve Moore and Bertuzzi's subsequent suspension took the focus away from the team's play.
``If you asked everyone in the locker room, it's been a different season than anyone expected,'' Naslund said. ``It's been more focused on the off-ice part, which is difficult.
``I think I was just drained this year. Everything just took a toll on me... There were times when I was a little bit tired.''
Bertuzzi, 29, punched Moore in the back of the head and fell on top of him during a game in Vancouver on March 8.
Bertuzzi was suspended from play for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs, leaving a gaping hole in the Canucks' lineup.
Even with the Canucks out of the playoffs, Bertuzzi must still ask the league for reinstatement before he can play next year. He's also waiting to hear whether he'll face criminal charges.
Moore suffered a fractured neck and facial cuts and it's unclear if or when Moore will be able to play again.
Naslund said Bertuzzi continues to feel he's let his team down.
The Bertuzzi hit was in apparent retaliation for Moore's hit on Naslund in an earlier game. Naslund was sidelined with a concussion for three games.
Naslund said Monday he's still suffering from bone chips in his right elbow from the Moore hit.
It affected his play, he said, adding he didn't want to use it as an excuse.
``It was really bothering me there for quite some time, but it actually got better as the season progressed,'' Naslund said. ``But I didn't feel that I was at a 100 hundred per cent.
``I think a lot of people feel that way.''
Naslund said it was a crucial season for a team that was ready to take the next step.
Last season, the Canucks advanced to the second round of the playoffs before they were eliminated and hopes were high for the team at the beginning of this season.
Instead, the team regressed in the post-season, losing in the first round to Calgary.
Naslund said the Canucks are a ``good group,'' but some changes are needed.
``I still think we probably needed a few more pieces of the puzzle to have a team strong enough to win the Stanley Cup,'' he said. ``I don't think maybe we could have done it with the team we had in here.''
He wouldn't elaborate on what needs to be done.
His comments echoed those of Canucks GM Brian Burke who said last week it's time for some changes to the core of the team.
Naslund said he hasn't spent much time thinking about his own future or the looming possibility of a labour dispute which could disrupt part or all of next season.
Naslund has one year remaining on his contract but has talked in the past about moving his family back to Sweden.
``I just try not to think about hockey for a while and relax,'' he said. ``But, I've got one more year on my deal and if there's a season, I'll definitely be back.''
Cheers,
Aquaman
Canadian Press
4/26/2004
VANCOUVER (CP) - Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund says this past season was an emotionally draining one with too many outside distractions.
A week after his team was bounced from the NHL playoffs, Naslund said teammate Todd Bertuzzi's hit on Colorado's Steve Moore and Bertuzzi's subsequent suspension took the focus away from the team's play.
``If you asked everyone in the locker room, it's been a different season than anyone expected,'' Naslund said. ``It's been more focused on the off-ice part, which is difficult.
``I think I was just drained this year. Everything just took a toll on me... There were times when I was a little bit tired.''
Bertuzzi, 29, punched Moore in the back of the head and fell on top of him during a game in Vancouver on March 8.
Bertuzzi was suspended from play for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs, leaving a gaping hole in the Canucks' lineup.
Even with the Canucks out of the playoffs, Bertuzzi must still ask the league for reinstatement before he can play next year. He's also waiting to hear whether he'll face criminal charges.
Moore suffered a fractured neck and facial cuts and it's unclear if or when Moore will be able to play again.
Naslund said Bertuzzi continues to feel he's let his team down.
The Bertuzzi hit was in apparent retaliation for Moore's hit on Naslund in an earlier game. Naslund was sidelined with a concussion for three games.
Naslund said Monday he's still suffering from bone chips in his right elbow from the Moore hit.
It affected his play, he said, adding he didn't want to use it as an excuse.
``It was really bothering me there for quite some time, but it actually got better as the season progressed,'' Naslund said. ``But I didn't feel that I was at a 100 hundred per cent.
``I think a lot of people feel that way.''
Naslund said it was a crucial season for a team that was ready to take the next step.
Last season, the Canucks advanced to the second round of the playoffs before they were eliminated and hopes were high for the team at the beginning of this season.
Instead, the team regressed in the post-season, losing in the first round to Calgary.
Naslund said the Canucks are a ``good group,'' but some changes are needed.
``I still think we probably needed a few more pieces of the puzzle to have a team strong enough to win the Stanley Cup,'' he said. ``I don't think maybe we could have done it with the team we had in here.''
He wouldn't elaborate on what needs to be done.
His comments echoed those of Canucks GM Brian Burke who said last week it's time for some changes to the core of the team.
Naslund said he hasn't spent much time thinking about his own future or the looming possibility of a labour dispute which could disrupt part or all of next season.
Naslund has one year remaining on his contract but has talked in the past about moving his family back to Sweden.
``I just try not to think about hockey for a while and relax,'' he said. ``But, I've got one more year on my deal and if there's a season, I'll definitely be back.''
Cheers,
Aquaman