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Sunday, April 9, 2000
Messier leaves door open
VANCOUVER (CP) -- For most of his three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, Mark Messier has weathered turmoil within the franchise, frustration over the team's lack of success and questions about his ability as a player and leader.The Canucks' phenomenal late-season run failed to land them a playoff berth, but it did prove to Messier that he still can contribute. Subsequently, he is not ruling out returning to Vancouver next season.
"It's been three years since I've played this type of hockey," said Messier, who dispelled any questions about his leadership by rallying a young team that was 13 points out of eighth place at the all-star break to challenge for a playoff in the season's final weekend.
"It was good for me in the way I found I still really do like to compete. I like to play this kind of hockey and I really am hungry to win. It was good for me to experience this again and see whether I really wanted to come back and play another couple of years. I had a lot of fun this whole year."
Vancouver's season ended Sunday afternoon with a meaningless game in San Jose. The Canucks' 5-4 overtime loss to Edmonton on Friday night eliminated them from playoff contention.
It's unlikely Vancouver management will pick up the option on Messier's contract, which calls for him to be paid $6 million US in each of the next two seasons. Instead, expect Vancouver to pay Messier a $2 million US buyout and try to renegotiate a lower salary.
But that's a gamble because Messier would become a free agent and able to entertain outside offers.
The Canucks lost $30 million last season and could lose up to $25 million this year. With Swedish rookies Henrik and Daniel Sedin having signed incentive-laden contracts that could earn them $3.5 million US each next year, general manager Brian Burke will be limited in what he can offer Messier, who turns 40 in January.
Messier knows several teams could offer him millions to play next year, but he left the door open to returning to Vancouver.
"I don't know what offers will come my way," said Messier, who had 17 goals and 37 assists in 65 games prior to Sunday.
"I know Vancouver is in a tough situation financially as well as the other Canadian teams. I wouldn't rule Vancouver out because they don't have the budget some of the other US teams do."
Since signing with the Canucks in July 1997, Messier has played for three different coaches and two general managers. He's seen popular players like Trevor Linden and Kirk McLean traded while superstar Pavel Bure forced a deal by holding out for most of a season.
He's seen owner John McCaw lose interest in the franchise and endured taunts from fans who question why Vancouver should pay so much to a player who has missed 34 games the last two years with knee injuries.
Through it all, Messier has never waivered in his commitment to produce a winner.
"I knew the team had struggled and there were a lot of problems internally," he said. "I wasn't a fool, I wasn't blindsided.
"I knew it was going to be a lot of work. I wasn't misled into what I was getting into. I knew it would take at least three years."
So, having got the Canucks the closest they've been to the playoffs in four years, can Messier just walk away?
"That's a tough question to answer because of all the emotions," Messier said after a long pause. "This year is was what I was expecting when I came to Vancouver.
"Being able to share my experiences that I've had with the guys the last couple of months has really been a lot of fun. I can't say enough about the way the guys have responded, from the veterans to the young guys. I'm really proud of this whole year."
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