I have to admit, although the 40th Anniversary Season didn't end the way I wanted, it was a pretty nice ride, especially when it came to honoring past players. Stan Smyl, Trevor Linden, and Markus Naslund all had their numbers retired (Smyl and Linden had nights, because their numbers were already retired), and their were new inductions into the Canucks Hall of Fame: Orland Kurtenbach, Kirk McLean, Thomas Gradin, and Harold Snepsts.
However, there was one glaring name name missing from all the festivities: Pavel Bure. I posed the question around Canuck Nation via Twitter: Where the Hell is Pavel?! I got various responses: waiting for the right time; can't get a hold of him; he wants to lay low. That last one was my favorite, especially after I heard Valeri's view on things.
The fact that Markus Naslund got his number retired and Pavel Bure has yet to receive that honor is a joke, especially when you compare careers. Yes Naslund is the Canucks all-time leading scorer with 756 points in 882 games played, while Pavel has 478 points in 428 games. This makes Pavel the only Canuck in the top ten all-time scorers in team history to be over a point a game.
Pavel was never a captain, and his totals are not near what Naslund's are. But sit down and consider which player you would rather watch? Sit down and think of both players and any memorable goals they have scored? I bet Naslund barely came up, if at all. I give you Exhibit A.
The "Russian Rocket" was one of the most entertaining and talented players ever. His speed and scoring ability packed arenas league wide. I don't know if its Mike Gillis blocking him, as Valeri suggested, or Pavel just laying low, either way the fact they could not bring him in was disappointing and I am sure I am not the only person that thinks that.
