Unreel: West Coast Express

In the wake of nearly winning the 1994 Stanley Cup, the Vancouver Canucks expect to contend for years to come as they open a brand new, downtown arena. Star scorer Alexander Mogilny is added via trade as the Canucks bolster their roster for another run at the Cup. Across the continent, Markus Naslund struggles to adapt to the NHL as a highly touted prospect, and is ultimately traded out of Pittsburgh. Vancouver undergoes an unexpec...

The Canucks sign the most prolific free agent in franchise history, Mark Messier, in an effort to vault them back into Stanley Cup contention. Vancouver struggles early and shocks the hockey world by firing President and GM, Pat Quinn, just a month into the season. In the wake of Quinn’s dismissal, Mike Keenan is brought in to replace Tom Renney as head coach, and he begins to dismantle the roster shortly thereafter. Fan favourite ...

Brian Burke is hired as general manager of the Canucks, which immediately puts head coach Mike Keenan on notice and the roster on high alert. Superstar Pavel Bure refuses to play after demanding a trade, saddling Burke with his first big decision. Early injuries to key players hamper Vancouver’s chances at a bounce back season, and tensions rise between Burke and Keenan. Markus Naslund turns an opportunity for more playing time int...

Marc Crawford's first full season behind the bench in Vancouver is the last for a pair of high-profile players. The Canucks get stronger at centre by signing Andrew Cassels and trading for Brendan Morrison, but their search for stability in goal continues. Todd Bertuzzi begins to break out as an impact player, and new era begins when Markus Naslund is named captain. The Sedins make the jump to the NHL, Ed Jovanovski takes a big ste...

Coming off their return to the playoffs, the Canucks struggle to live up to expectations early in the season after Todd Bertuzzi's suspension and an injury to Andrew Cassels hinder their top line. GM Brian Burke is celebrated for bringing Trevor Linden back to Vancouver via trade, but it's Burke's speech in late December that finally kickstarts the Canucks turnaround. In mid-January, Brendan Morrison is inserted between Markus Nasl...

Determined to atone for their playoff shortcomings, the Canucks emerge as one of the league's top teams and the West Coast Express as the NHL's most dominant line. The Canucks become a hot ticket around the league, and the media spotlight intensifies on Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi and Brendan Morrison. The trio and team put themselves in position to capitalize on major opportunities late in the regular season and into the postsea...

Having squandered an opportunity for a lengthy playoff run, the Canucks face a heightened level of scrutiny. Todd Bertuzzi's contract negotiation drags into the regular season and becomes a tenuous issue internally. Vancouver and Colorado reestablish themselves as elite teams in the Western Conference, and each looks to gain the upper hand in three head-to-head matchups beginning in mid-February. Steve Moore's hit on Markus Naslund...

The NHL lockout means different things for many prominent Canucks as the league loses an entire season. Todd Bertuzzi faces legal consequences for his actions against Steve Moore, and remains suspended indefinitely. The lockout finally ends, Bertuzzi is reinstated, and the Canucks are viewed as a Stanley Cup contender. But as the West Coast Express attempts to rekindle its magic, external and internal pressures create turbulent con...

Facing a crossroads for his club, GM Dave Nonis overhauls the coaching staff and a part of the Canucks' core as he redefines his team's identity. Alain Vigneault replaces Marc Crawford behind the bench, Todd Bertuzzi is traded to Florida for goalie Roberto Luongo, and Ed Jovanovski leaves in free agency. Markus Naslund and Brendan Morrison attempt to adapt to new roles and a new style of play, while Bertuzzi tries to forge a new pa...