Markus Sten Näslund was born on July 30, 1973 in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. Näslund got his first opportunity to play men’s hockey with Örnsköldsvik SK, in Sweden’s third tier. Näslund was only 15 years old at the time. He played in 14 games and registered 7 goals and 13 points. Näslund’s positive performance earned him the opportunity to join Modo with their J20 team. He joined his childhood friend Peter Forsberg and the duo helped Modo secure back-to-back junior championships. In the 1990-91 season, Näslund earned the opportunity to join the men’s team. He scored 10 goals and 19 points in 32 games as a rookie. That summer Näslund was drafted 16th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1991 NHL Draft. Naslund stayed in Modo for two additional seasons after being drafted. Näslund had 79 points in 78 games across his final two seasons with Modo.
Näslund had an interesting entry to the NHL. He technically signed with the Penguins as a Group 4 Restricted Free Agent after his contract in Modo expired and his rights were on the verge of expiration in the NHL. Naslund’s rookie season was the 1993–94 season. He played in 71 games registering 4 goals and 11 points. Näslund had a frustrating sophomore season playing in just 14 NHL games registering 4 points. He also spent some of the season with the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the IHL. Frustrated by the lack of playing time in Pittsburgh, Näslund had put in an official request to be traded.
Näslund had a red hot start to the 1995-96 season. He was playing in the top six to start the season and had 36 points in 29 games. His production went ice cold further into the season and then Näslund was demoted to 3rd and 4th line duties, even healthy scratched at times. This led to trade speculation and Näslund was eventually dealt to the Vancouver Canucks on March 20, 1996 in exchange for Alek Stojanov. This trade became one of the most lopsided trades in franchise history as Vancouver ultimately found a true gem in Näslund whereas Stojanov went on to play just 45 games with the Penguins.
Näslund started his Canucks tenure wearing #22 as #19 was taken by teammate Tim Hunter. Näslund played in 10 games with the Canucks to close out the season and he scored a hat-trick in the final game. In his first full season in 1996-97, Näslund switched back to #19 following the departure of Hunter. He played 78 games and he registered 21 goals and 41 points. During the 1997-98 season, Näslund requested a trade after being healthy scratched by Head Coach Mike Keenan. Näslund ended up staying with the team, and he found his stride shortly after. In January of 1999, Näslund was named to his fist all-star game. He led the team in scoring with 36 goals and 66 points. He was voted as the team’s MVP that season as well.
Näslund made history in the 2000-01 season as he was named Captain of the franchise becoming the first European born Captain in franchise history. Näslund earned his second trip to the NHL All-Star game that season. Late in the season, he was sidelined with a leg injury after breaking his tibia and fibula in a board battle on March 16th against the Buffalo Sabres. Näslund finished the season with 41 goals and 75 points in 72 games.
At the midway point in the following season, Näslund was joined by linemates Todd Bertuzzi and Brendan Morrison to form the iconic West Coast Express. The trio became the best line in hockey across multiple seasons. Näslund set a career-high with 40 goals and 90 points and he represented Team World at the 2002 NHL All-Star Game. That season, Näslund also finished 5th in Hart Trophy voting.
The following year was Näslund’s best as he recorded 48 goals and 104 points in 82 games. He was 2nd in the NHL that season for both categories. The West Coast Express was responsible for 45% of Vancouver’s goals that season. Näslund followed up his strong regular season performance with 14 points across 14 games. In the off-season, Näslund was recognized as the league MVP winning the Lester Pearson Award as voted on by his peers. He was a runner up to Peter Forsberg for the Hart Trophy.
Although the West Coast Express was derailed near the end of the 2003-04 season, Näslund remained with the Canucks and continued to be a top point producer on the team. Näslund did return to Modo for the lockout season in 2004-05 as well.
Sarcastic__
All the kids at my school liked Bertuzzi because big guy hit people and score goals, but I loved Nazzy. There was just something about him unloading his wrister. His 4 goal game coming back from injury to beat the Penguins in December 2003 is one of my earliest hockey memories.
Simplebudd420
Never occurred to me before today but the Canucks have to be the only team in the NHL that the top 3 scores in franchise history are from the same town
gradient44
the best in my books 🔥 him and bertuzzi will always be my favourites
RJG190894
My all-time favourite player. My earliest hockey memories involve watching him light it up. Meeting him last year was an all time moment for me.
I can’t help but think of all the what-if’s that occurred during his prime. I feel surely he’d be a HOF’er if the following things were different:
1. Not breaking his leg in 2001. How many points would he have put up that year? 2. Bertuzzi not getting suspended for 10 games in 2001-02. Perhaps the WCE line comes together sooner and with how good Bert was that year, who knows how many more points Nazzy puts up? Perhaps he wins the scoring title that year playing 10 more games with Bert and BMo. Also maybe the team gets a couple extra wins that would give them an easier first round opponent which could have led to stronger playoff success that year. The standings were tight that year, one more win would’ve made them the 5th seed and I think they could’ve beaten STL that year and who knows after that. 3. What if he didn’t slow down in the final stretch of the 2002-03 season and was able to win the Rocket Richard and Art Ross trophies? He likely takes the Hart that year too. 4. What if the Steve Moore incident never happened in 2003-04? Again, a healthy Naslund with the full WCE line up maybe wins another scoring title? The playoff run that year likely ends up more successful too. Also beyond that season, does Naslund decline as sharply without that concussion? I personally believe that played a huge role in his decline, but of course that’s just speculation. 5. What if he had a competent goalie for the playoffs in his prime? How much more team success could he have had (I’m especially thinking about 2003 here, my first big Canucks heart break).
Of course this is all just “coulda, woulda, shoulda” thoughts, but it does help me appreciate his greatness that much more when I think about the adversity and obstacles he faced during his prime and how much he succeeded despite them. Further, I think about how much grace he carried(s) himself with and how he never used those things as excuses. He owned his part and if anything was usually harder on himself than he needed to be (re: “We choked”). He’ll always be my favourite and I’ll always be grateful for his role in getting me to love this game.
*Edited for grammar*
Hyperocean
I hope he goes to Pastime Sports again, I was out of town for that last season.. I’ve got a Nazzy blue red fade from way back when …
OpticalRadioGaga
One of the classiest and smoothest players of all time.
Always loved watching Markus play.
plushie-apocalypse
Oh Captain my Captain
funkiemarky
I’d like to see this jersey with green replacing the red.
Captain_JT_Miller
Only Linden was a better captain than Naslund, sorry Hank. He pulled this team out of a fucking nightmare where Brian Burke was one 25 cent call away from moving the team. God bless Markus Naslund.
10 Comments
3. Markus Näslund — 884GP | 346G | 410A | 756P | 1996-2008
Markus Sten Näslund was born on July 30, 1973 in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. Näslund got his first opportunity to play men’s hockey with Örnsköldsvik SK, in Sweden’s third tier. Näslund was only 15 years old at the time. He played in 14 games and registered 7 goals and 13 points. Näslund’s positive performance earned him the opportunity to join Modo with their J20 team. He joined his childhood friend Peter Forsberg and the duo helped Modo secure back-to-back junior championships. In the 1990-91 season, Näslund earned the opportunity to join the men’s team. He scored 10 goals and 19 points in 32 games as a rookie. That summer Näslund was drafted 16th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1991 NHL Draft. Naslund stayed in Modo for two additional seasons after being drafted. Näslund had 79 points in 78 games across his final two seasons with Modo.
Näslund had an interesting entry to the NHL. He technically signed with the Penguins as a Group 4 Restricted Free Agent after his contract in Modo expired and his rights were on the verge of expiration in the NHL. Naslund’s rookie season was the 1993–94 season. He played in 71 games registering 4 goals and 11 points. Näslund had a frustrating sophomore season playing in just 14 NHL games registering 4 points. He also spent some of the season with the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the IHL. Frustrated by the lack of playing time in Pittsburgh, Näslund had put in an official request to be traded.
Näslund had a red hot start to the 1995-96 season. He was playing in the top six to start the season and had 36 points in 29 games. His production went ice cold further into the season and then Näslund was demoted to 3rd and 4th line duties, even healthy scratched at times. This led to trade speculation and Näslund was eventually dealt to the Vancouver Canucks on March 20, 1996 in exchange for Alek Stojanov. This trade became one of the most lopsided trades in franchise history as Vancouver ultimately found a true gem in Näslund whereas Stojanov went on to play just 45 games with the Penguins.
Näslund started his Canucks tenure wearing #22 as #19 was taken by teammate Tim Hunter. Näslund played in 10 games with the Canucks to close out the season and he scored a hat-trick in the final game. In his first full season in 1996-97, Näslund switched back to #19 following the departure of Hunter. He played 78 games and he registered 21 goals and 41 points. During the 1997-98 season, Näslund requested a trade after being healthy scratched by Head Coach Mike Keenan. Näslund ended up staying with the team, and he found his stride shortly after. In January of 1999, Näslund was named to his fist all-star game. He led the team in scoring with 36 goals and 66 points. He was voted as the team’s MVP that season as well.
Näslund made history in the 2000-01 season as he was named Captain of the franchise becoming the first European born Captain in franchise history. Näslund earned his second trip to the NHL All-Star game that season. Late in the season, he was sidelined with a leg injury after breaking his tibia and fibula in a board battle on March 16th against the Buffalo Sabres. Näslund finished the season with 41 goals and 75 points in 72 games.
At the midway point in the following season, Näslund was joined by linemates Todd Bertuzzi and Brendan Morrison to form the iconic West Coast Express. The trio became the best line in hockey across multiple seasons. Näslund set a career-high with 40 goals and 90 points and he represented Team World at the 2002 NHL All-Star Game. That season, Näslund also finished 5th in Hart Trophy voting.
The following year was Näslund’s best as he recorded 48 goals and 104 points in 82 games. He was 2nd in the NHL that season for both categories. The West Coast Express was responsible for 45% of Vancouver’s goals that season. Näslund followed up his strong regular season performance with 14 points across 14 games. In the off-season, Näslund was recognized as the league MVP winning the Lester Pearson Award as voted on by his peers. He was a runner up to Peter Forsberg for the Hart Trophy.
Although the West Coast Express was derailed near the end of the 2003-04 season, Näslund remained with the Canucks and continued to be a top point producer on the team. Näslund did return to Modo for the lockout season in 2004-05 as well.
All the kids at my school liked Bertuzzi because big guy hit people and score goals, but I loved Nazzy. There was just something about him unloading his wrister. His 4 goal game coming back from injury to beat the Penguins in December 2003 is one of my earliest hockey memories.
Never occurred to me before today but the Canucks have to be the only team in the NHL that the top 3 scores in franchise history are from the same town
the best in my books 🔥 him and bertuzzi will always be my favourites
My all-time favourite player. My earliest hockey memories involve watching him light it up. Meeting him last year was an all time moment for me.
I can’t help but think of all the what-if’s that occurred during his prime. I feel surely he’d be a HOF’er if the following things were different:
1. Not breaking his leg in 2001. How many points would he have put up that year?
2. Bertuzzi not getting suspended for 10 games in 2001-02. Perhaps the WCE line comes together sooner and with how good Bert was that year, who knows how many more points Nazzy puts up? Perhaps he wins the scoring title that year playing 10 more games with Bert and BMo. Also maybe the team gets a couple extra wins that would give them an easier first round opponent which could have led to stronger playoff success that year. The standings were tight that year, one more win would’ve made them the 5th seed and I think they could’ve beaten STL that year and who knows after that.
3. What if he didn’t slow down in the final stretch of the 2002-03 season and was able to win the Rocket Richard and Art Ross trophies? He likely takes the Hart that year too.
4. What if the Steve Moore incident never happened in 2003-04? Again, a healthy Naslund with the full WCE line up maybe wins another scoring title? The playoff run that year likely ends up more successful too. Also beyond that season, does Naslund decline as sharply without that concussion? I personally believe that played a huge role in his decline, but of course that’s just speculation.
5. What if he had a competent goalie for the playoffs in his prime? How much more team success could he have had (I’m especially thinking about 2003 here, my first big Canucks heart break).
Of course this is all just “coulda, woulda, shoulda” thoughts, but it does help me appreciate his greatness that much more when I think about the adversity and obstacles he faced during his prime and how much he succeeded despite them. Further, I think about how much grace he carried(s) himself with and how he never used those things as excuses. He owned his part and if anything was usually harder on himself than he needed to be (re: “We choked”). He’ll always be my favourite and I’ll always be grateful for his role in getting me to love this game.
*Edited for grammar*
I hope he goes to Pastime Sports again, I was out of town for that last season.. I’ve got a Nazzy blue red fade from way back when …
One of the classiest and smoothest players of all time.
Always loved watching Markus play.
Oh Captain my Captain
I’d like to see this jersey with green replacing the red.
Only Linden was a better captain than Naslund, sorry Hank. He pulled this team out of a fucking nightmare where Brian Burke was one 25 cent call away from moving the team. God bless Markus Naslund.