It’s not that different than what happened to Gretz in St Louis!, the then GM was going to renegotiate on the contract after an early subpar game by Wayne’s standards
Can you please elaborate cause I don't comprehend what you are stating regarding Gretzky? It was the owner(McGaw) and the right hand man(Stan McCammon) that screwed up that deal. Not Keenan.
I love Wayne but earlier that spring it was his give away at center ice to Yzerman that cost the Blues the series to the Red Wings and really lowered Wayne's stock.
@@powerhouse9868 didnt look like he cared and it showed in his season stats. the next year he was in n.y finished tied for 3rd in points and brought the rangers to the semi finals with what he had left of his back.
Yup Mess was a POS in Vancouver. I was at the game where he swooped up towards the blue line, lifted Bures stick and took the puck directly from him. Just an arrogant dick head
As a long-time Canucks' fan, I really enjoy your content- especially how you explore some of the team's more controversial eras. As a fan, often we have been spoon-fed the shallow surface explanation of these tumultuous times in Canucks' hockey history; however, Canucks' management forgets that a true Canucks' hockey fan is in for a penny, in for a pound! Go, Canucks!
@@RodWarriorSociety You wouldn't be a true Canucks fan if this vid. did not make you feel something. Sometimes cheering for a team is like being part of a dysfunctional family.
@@OhCanada-wk3kl yeah it hurts. I saw the first game in GM place Saw Bure’s first game Hell, I saw Igor Larionov #18 score a hatty with Bure in the press box. Saw the Canucks take out Dallas is 6 and was at the game when TL put buddy through the glass in ‘95. That lady in the highlight, she had a long braid In her hair- saw her get kicked out of a game too.. used to have seasons tickets 8 rows up… I think it was section C in the Pacific Coliseum…. I’m dating myself big time- but good years off of Renfrew!
mccaw deserves just as much hate as messier and keenan... it takes a special kinda stupid to bring those guys into this city knowing what just happened a couple years prior.
Not to mention McCaw effed with the team logo to serve promoting his own corporate image. Disclaimer : no offense intended to any members of the Cetacean genus. But I mean, let's be honest, how many Killer Whales have ever been observed playing ice hockey, or even road hockey for that matter. #car
as a 40+ year Rangers fan, I used to idolize Messier for how he led the blueshirts to victory. After I read about his time with the Canucks and read a book on him how he was dismissive of fans, I can barely watch him anymore.
Fan here. Met him march 1994. March 9th to be exact. Here in Halifax NS. NYR plsayed the Caps. Amonte was still on the team. Got to meet Messier and the whole team, interviewed Mike Gartner on film for a school ptoject, later that night he passed bobby hill on the all time goals list. TSN broadcast the game. I got to spend a whole day. Have VHS footage. Meaaier was INCREDIBLE. And everyone else i know who has met him? Even in Van, they say how great he was.
I’ve been a Canucks fan for 36 years and I’ve seen a lot of guys come and go over the years but it’s friggin wild to me how much seeing these two jerks still pisses me off. Listening to the West Coast Express podcast really cemented things for me too. Hearing that Gretzky made a point of telling Canucks brass that he wasn’t interested in taking the captaincy from Linden only to have him walk and then Messier come in is a real kick in the junk.
Wayne Gretzky signing with Vancouver could of been huge. The possibility of prime Pavel Bure playing with end of career playmaking wizard Gretzky could of gave Bure 70 plus goals. Then Trevor Linden could of played 2nd line C and the canucks would of had a great 1 2 Center
Huge is a classic understatement. It would have changed history for Vancouver. For starters, he would have awakened the whole franchise, shook them out of their laid-back ways, got them off to winning. Playing with the likes of Bure, Mogilny, or Naslund, he'd probably reemerge as a 200-point threat (or at least 160 points), while Bure and Mogilny would be 50-in-50 threats. Gretzky would have fans back in the stands and tuning in on television from across the nation (and even tuning in from the States). This cash (and prospect of playing with Gretzky) would allow Canucks to attract more free agents. If the Canucks capitalize on this, specifically land a top goaltender and defenseman, they win a Cup before Gretzky retires. Seeing that Curtis Joseph and Rob Blake were available in the 1998 offseason, it's highly plausible they sign them and win in 1999.
@@nickgangone9541 Given they're both right wingers, and hadn't much success skating together for the Nucks, I think it'd have been more prudent to split the two Russians, have one skate on the second line with Linden and Courtnall. They could alternate spots, get time on Gretzky's right wing (while Nazzy skates on his left). But yes, in his twilight, he'd still deliver big time. Defenders would be forced to spread in all directions, knowing Gretzky could spring passes to Bure (or Mogliny) for high speed rush. Or he could pass to Naslund, who could either score on the fly, or pass it off to Bure/Mogliny or back to Gretzky. Whatever he does, every opponent knows he knows something they don't and will exploit it. His greatest strength has always been his mind, and he doesn't need to be strong or fast to use that. That line definitely would be unstoppable. Gretzky would easily break the 3000 plateau. Both Bure and Mogilny would contend for the 50-in-50 mark. But it won't be enough to win a Cup, until they also get a number one defenseman and goaltender. (Don't worry, CuJo and Blake happened to be available in the 1998 free agency).
After destroying the Canucks, he went to the Bruins for a couple years and then went to my Florida Panthers where became both head coach and GM. It went about as well as you would expect. It culminated in him trading away Roberto Luongo to the Canucks oddly enough because he and Keenan absolutely despised each other.
@@mikebaxter247 Which only proves that even a blind squirrel finds a nut eventually. Benning was responsible for drafting Hughes, that doesn't make me forgive him for all the many times he screwed this team up.
@@mrquirky3626 I don't think it proves anything other than trading a player when they are at a high is usually a good strategy (Horvat was another example that people hated in this city)
@@mikebaxter247 Horvat? I liked him here as a Canuck. Bottom line he wanted to get paid when all was said and done. I lost respect for him. He's not an 8.5 million dollar a year player imho.
Messier used to shove guys heads in the toilet who he thought were not playing good enough. Horrible abuse that he got away with. I remember someone slashing all of his tires on his Porsche in 85 - probably an abused teammate.
Not gonna say it was okay, but to be fair, if you grew up playing sports in the 70s and 80s, there was a lot of hazing and humniliation going on. Mess was an intense player and likely was no different than a lot of other assholes in the lockerrooms back then. Stuff has changed a lot in the last 25 years. And that's a good thing.
@@jimoliver535 Like during the 1980-81 season when NY Rangers rookie Ed Hospodar was held down on trainers table - had all his body hair shaved off with blunt razors and finished up with having handle of hockey stick covered in red hot gel shoved up his ass. This was recounted in book about 1980-81 Rangers season called Thin Ice by Larry Sloman.
Really hate to say it but he’s won on every level of hockey including Canada cups Junior cup AHL cup ECHL cup Stanley Cup KHL cup team, Canada cup, well there’s your answer what is he done look above?p
In a 7-year span ('87-'94) he coached three different teams to the finals, Flyers, Rangers and Blackhawks. That's unprecedented, certainly not overrated.
Wow, thank you for sharing this important Canuck’s history….my mom and dad are die hard fans and I’m finally just getting into it now so learning what my parents lived through first hand is so cool. Thank you! 💚💙
@@ZanonYes! And to this day, I am mad at Pat Quinn (RIP) for not sending Hunter, Antoski, and Momesso over the boards to get Messier, or Graves…someone! There was time left to send a damn message!
Great vid. You’re an excellent hockey storyteller, man. I’d definitely watch the Messier vid, but I hear you on the painful process of making it. I totally understand if you wouldn’t want to do that to yourself
This was a great video. Can you do an in depth timeline of the Canucks uniform changes going back to 1970 all the way to current? I think a lot of Canucks fans would love that!
I absolutely could not believe it when my Canucks ended up with Keenan and Messier!! The 2 absolute arch enemies from the ‘94 run! It was like a cruel joke. No franchise has as much weird bad vibes as the Canucks!!! Fight me.
Canucks would of won that 94 cup easy if the rangers didn't just buy whatever players they wanted. Im glad the cap exists...but teams like Vegas just find loopholes to cheat their way to a cup anyway
Good stuff! Love the long form content. Also, 100% agree, don't waste your time making a video about that goof Messier. There's so many other Canucks for you to cover who are actually beloved.
Great job! I just gooled Keenan and of all things today is his 75th birthday. Im sure he's not any "kinder" at his age. Canucks provided so many great memories.
I was a beat writer for the Canucks in the 80s and 90s and Keenan was always a prick to the media. An overlooked note about Gino Odjick, his first game was against Keenan's Chicago Blackhawks. Odjick convincingly beat Keenan's enforcer, Stu Grimson, at the end of the game in front of the Chicago bench. Keenan held grudges and I'm not saying he did here, but guaranteed he remembered it when he coached Odjick. Might have something to add to why he treated Odjick poorly, but probably not. Just an interesting side note.
Ngl I didn't know this about Mark Messier, but then again, I never looked into players I liked. When I do, i wonder where my morals are if I liked a guy like that.
I saw Keenan coaching the KHL Red Stars in Shanghai 7 or 8 years ago. He was still ludicrously crazy while coaching the game, but the team was woefully overmatched by St Petersburg and Ilya Kovalchuk. I guess he's gone from the KHL and the Red Star no longer is based in China. I was wondering when he would surface again. I'm a Blackhawks fan and I remember the jerk he was behind the bench in Chicago. Good vid showing the reality of Mike Keenan. The man was pure evil....
Great video sparking bad memories. Looks like that tired old trope about getting "banished to Winnipeg" has lost a lot of its meaning these days with players banished there from La La Land who have re-signed with the team along with their UFA Vezina winning goalie and 1st line center and captain. It seems to be working, they're the only undefeated team so far.
I beseech you to do the Messier video. Please. It is long overdue. This is a chapter in Canucks history that should not be forgotten. Only in Vancouver would they bring in the coach and captain of the team that beat them in the Stanley Cup Finals, and then rip the "C" off the true heart and soul of the team. Currently Keenan is doing the media rounds trying to sell his book. I hope that people are not foolish enough to buy this book.
@@joeynova9896 Unfortunately you only hear about it through ex players. Far more stories from ex junior players because there are more of them, but also from ex NHLers. Nothing documented, and a lot of it covered up in the name of money... ie: hockey canada. Stories that would make your head spin in disbelief.
I’m a Rangers fan and enjoyed seeing the Great One on my team, but as a hockey fan, a Bure, Mogilny, Gretzky line would have been amazing to see. As a Messier fan too the way Trevor Linden was treated was absolutely f’ing ridiculous. Keenan and Messier both lost their minds with ego after the ‘94 Cup.
Just imagine a line of… Bure - Gretzky - Mogilny 2 more Art Ross Trophies for Gretzky. And Bure/Mogilny with 70-80 goals each. This almost happened, but Canucks management called Gretzky at 2:00 in the morning and cornered him to give an answer, causing Gretzky to say he didn’t operate that way and sign with the Rangers instead. Oh, what could have been.
Between Mike and Messier they ripped the heart out of the Canucks. To this day if I seen Messier on fire I would only fan the flames. Keenan is nothing more then a huge JACKASS.
Keenan thought that he was never wrong and was the most important person on the team. He did not know the difference between discipline and abuse. Sometimes a team needs a coach to whip them into shape, but power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Teams that gave Keenan that power could momentarily improve, but it would not last. Keenan crapped on players because he liked it and he could, and not because it would improve the player. Screw you, coach.
I don’t know how this video showed up for me but I’m glad. I’m a penguins fan who lives just outside of Philadelphia. I just wanted to say you’ve done an amazing job highlighting a lot of interesting stuff. You should branch out to more hockey clubs. I’m sure you would grow even more than you have already
If all this info was true and accurate, thank you for the hard work, digging and sharing. I never knew a lot of this stuff but when the Canucks hired Iron Mike, I remember cringing...and he did not disappoint....or actually he really did disappoint! It was so sad to hear about how Messier acted but I agree...from this fan's point of view...it didn't really seem like Messier was making much of an effort to play on the ice when he dawned the Canucks jersey. It was so sad to watch. I guess you could say he was only a 'CHIP' of his old self. Do most fans think he Lays an egg when he played here? This was a dark video for sure...I hope you will do another one on the positive side. A expose on one of the Canucks best coaches...in my opinion...Alan Vigneault! It was sad to see him go...almost as much as it was to see Trevor Linden being traded to the Islanders...the Linden move was almost as unbelievable as the Gretzky trade from Edmonton to L.A.!
Hated Keenan when he was here in Chicago. There’s something about a guy who’s never actually played in the NHL and acts like that just seems rooted in jealousy. Torteralla and Babcock are like that too.
Messier was a bad deal for the Canucks, pretty sure it was just for the astronomical money for the time, but also he stole the cup from us in the Ranger finals.
As a die hard, this video hit pretty hard. The owners and management for this organization has been pure dog shit at times and is really no wonder we don't have a cup here. Since the Sedin's our franchise has been respectful for the most part, I know a guy like Bo Horvat wasn't a favorite to some but he played his hardest and was a stepping stone to Miller and Hughes leadership we have now. My favorite years were always the 2001-2004 with the WCE line, that team had some decent players but never a goalie to win it all.
This video feels like an epilogue of why Mike Keenan's career as GM and Coach was so bad. "Can you imagine a line of Pavel Bure and Alexander Mogilny centered by Wayne Gretzky?" The St. Louis Blues under his reign at one point had Brett Hull, Wayne Gretzky, Chris Pronger, Al McInnis, and Grant Fuhr on the same team. The 95-96 Blues falls into the category of "how did that team not win a Stanley Cup?".
I look at the Blues rosters from the mid 1990’s and wonder how we didn’t win at least one cup then I see Mike Keenan was the coach AND gm It was all the explanation I needed
Great video. Keenan always gave me a sleazy lawyer/car salesman vibe- before stories of his toxic personality came out. Love the part in Fluery's autobiography, where he talks about Keenan chirping other team in warm ups. Supposedly Fleury's return chirp made Keenan's players bust out laughing.
Quite a good breakdown of what transpired. Such a sad chapter in Canuck history. Keenan and Messier - two peas in a pod. I was considering subscribing but I just cannot listen to AI voices for more than a short time. The one you’ve selected has almost mastered pronunciation, but it’s just too robotic. Sorry.
Great vid. Almost got in a bar fight with Ranger fans one time trashing Mark Messier as a player. In Whistler, playing pool with a bunch of NY dudes, and Mark's name comes up and I immediately said he's the most overrated player ever... a great wrist shot doesn't make a great player. Well well well, the attitudes came out and four of them start hollering like I insulted their mother. But in the end, they couldn't describe why Mess was actually a good player.... "he motivates his teammates"... yeah right, maybe if he led by example.
@@Leroy-df3ee 9th leading scorer, and it doesn't matter 1 bit that he played with Gretz, Kurri, and Coffee right? Guys that got Dave Semenko to score 15 goals.
I do think it's pretty ironic that Burke blasted how Keenan treated players, when Burke himself pulled a total scumbag move on Peter Zezel. That said, Keenan and Messier deserve all the hate they get from Vancouver
The Russians were not scared of Keenan. These kids grew up with nothing but negative reinforcement from Soviet coaches...since childhood. Keenan was like Spongebob compared to them lol
Yes, this Canucks fan approves of this video. Plenty of parallels here with the Brian Clough/Leeds United (LUFC is my YT logo) story from 1974. There's a book and a movie about that whole episode called "The Damned United."
I never understood the full story about why the Canucks fell so far from cup contention, I knew there had to be a reason, but what was it? Now I know, plain bad management, wrong people in charge and it trickled down to the all the players, I loved Trevor Linden, Gino Odjick, they were heart and soul for Canucks franchise. Keenan was a devastating to the team and siderailed the team totally. Messier? Well, I was shocked to learn what he was like. Go Canucks Go I am a fan forever!
Keenan was universally despised by almost every player from every organization. When he coached the Chicago Blackhawks his treatment of the goaltenders demonstrated clearly he knew nothing about the position. He abused and bullied his goalkeepers until they lost their own confidence and the faith of their teammates. He convinced people Ed Belfour was a second tier goalkeeper.
He was known as "Iron Mike" for a reason and he divisiveness ensured he never stayed with any team very long. With many a number of experienced coaches getting outed for previous player abuse in past 5 years, there is absolutely no chance for Iron Mike to ever be in the NHL again as a coach. Moose was a terrible leader for the Canucks and didn't respect the use of jersey #11 (which was Wayne Maki's number). I can easily see any number of former players that would suckerpunch Keenan if they had the chance. I still find it funny that the NHL made the Mark Messier Leadership Award. I think Bettman influenced this as he's from NY state.
Keenan is one of the most overrated coaches ever. Heck, he almost screwed over the Rangers in 94 too when he started benching Leetch (Conn Smythe) and Richter in the play-offs.
Good vid, nice work! I am a lifelong NYR fan, so for me Messier is “the Captain”. Not many rumors about Messier make it to the public out here😂. Would be curious about a Messier expose, but also understand why you wouldn’t want to. For many in hockey world, Messier is legend. One person who has never impressed me is Brian Burke. Another guy with wa6 too many opinions and a limited success ledger. He walked into his Cup, and pretty much failed everywhere else. Not a fan. Keep u0 the good work!
I worked for the railroad in western Canada in the 80’s and there was crazy bosses everywhere. Yelling and bullying was just how some bosses thought things needed to be done. I recently retired from railroad and times have really changed haha
As a Rangers fan, Keenan and THE Captain are the best! Messier is one of the greatest captains ever, not just in hockey but in all sports. The Rangers got Gretzky and Mess, and Mike destroyed the Canucks from the inside. Then, after the Vancouver "hiccup," Messier returned home, finished his career on Broadway, and now his number 11 hangs in the rafters with the rest of the '94 core guys. Thanks, Vancouver.
There's nothing controversial about their tenure. They were undoubtedly the most hated figures in Canucks history, whether as opponents or as members of the team. I could write an entire essay about my thoughts on the tyrannical duo that wreaked havoc on the Canucks just for the hell of it. Nobody in Canucks fandom disputes anything about them, as we all stand united against those 2 in Canucks Army
If he coached today, he would last as long as Babcock did in Columbus. He was brutal on goalies. Growing up, I played for coaches like him even as a kid. Once they get a target that player has no chance. I wonder sometimes if it was a plan to destroy the Canucks by those two because they almost beat the Rangers in the Finals. The two of them did a lot of damage to that team in a short period of time. Two egos that were bigger than the team.
I wonder if Griffiths had just sold the Grizzlies and kept the Canucks instead? Then maybe would've had Gretzky in '96 and generated more revenue from tickets and merch, and maybe another cup run. The Canucks needed a new arena regardless of NBA arrival. Messier's best days were with the Oilers, he was a good leader then. Would've been better with #99 though in Vancouver as opposed to Messier.
I get that this is a video about Keenan's time in the Canucks, and what made him so horrible there (and elsewhere). But I would have liked to hear just a little about what made him so effective in some teams: He won basically everything a coach can win. Three Stanley Cups + all the other shit can't be pure luck or happenstance. Btw, super interesting video. And I'm not even a hockey fan. :D
One silver lining is that this is how Mark Messier played himself off of the olympic team. Although Canada didn't win anything that year, so it's maybe it's a double edged sword.
A lot of things to point out... First, McCaw wasn't that hands on as owner. Second, Messier didn't demand the captaincy from Linden, the latter just willingly ceded it just because it made sense to differ to a more accomplished leader. Thirdly, Quinn did approve of signing Messier.
Definitely make a video on Messier. I'm a Ranger fan, so He's a hero to me. He won us our only Cup in the modern era. I'd love to hear an alternative take on Him.
Imagine giving Gretzky an ultimatum like that.
Wayne must habe been like 'close call there, thanks for showing me who you are before i signed'
It’s not that different than what happened to Gretz in St Louis!, the then GM was going to renegotiate on the contract after an early subpar game by Wayne’s standards
Can you please elaborate cause I don't comprehend what you are stating regarding Gretzky? It was the owner(McGaw) and the right hand man(Stan McCammon) that screwed up that deal. Not Keenan.
I love Wayne but earlier that spring it was his give away at center ice to Yzerman that cost the Blues the series to the Red Wings and really lowered Wayne's stock.
@@powerhouse9868 didnt look like he cared and it showed in his season stats. the next year he was in n.y finished tied for 3rd in points and brought the rangers to the semi finals with what he had left of his back.
dudes over rated didnt see him put up points like in edm any where else so
Yes pls do a Messier vid
The greatest most decorated Canuck in history Mark Messier
Yup Mess was a POS in Vancouver. I was at the game where he swooped up towards the blue line, lifted Bures stick and took the puck directly from him. Just an arrogant dick head
Yep ❤❤
@@kevinhurley4815 Please go and watch 10:38
No thx
Keenen and Messier - ripped the heart out of this franchise for a long time :( Great vid
yeah I wasn't even alive but I know I hate them
@@MatthewLoewen-x4u May the hate live on through Canuck fan generations.
Canucks have never had heart
@@ricofugitiva4286 pfff oilers fan what are you doing
@@SarahGraf-o3d Mark Messier is the greatest Canuck in nhl history in terms of accolades and achievements
As a long-time Canucks' fan, I really enjoy your content- especially how you explore some of the team's more controversial eras. As a fan, often we have been spoon-fed the shallow surface explanation of these tumultuous times in Canucks' hockey history; however, Canucks' management forgets that a true Canucks' hockey fan is in for a penny, in for a pound! Go, Canucks!
Someone has to cover the dark side of the rink.
@@TheBluelineHockeyas someone who doesn't look into teams like this. I thank you also. I really didn't know any of these videos besides the 2011. 😭😭😭
I feel like it’s 98 all over again. Actually a little angry watching these vids.
Been to over 100 games during the mid/late 90s and early 2k’s
@@RodWarriorSociety You wouldn't be a true Canucks fan if this vid. did not make you feel something. Sometimes cheering for a team is like being part of a dysfunctional family.
@@OhCanada-wk3kl yeah it hurts. I saw the first game in GM place
Saw Bure’s first game
Hell, I saw Igor Larionov #18 score a hatty with Bure in the press box.
Saw the Canucks take out Dallas is 6 and was at the game when TL put buddy through the glass in ‘95.
That lady in the highlight, she had a long braid In her hair- saw her get kicked out of a game too.. used to have seasons tickets 8 rows up… I think it was section C in the Pacific Coliseum…. I’m dating myself big time- but good years off of Renfrew!
mccaw deserves just as much hate as messier and keenan... it takes a special kinda stupid to bring those guys into this city knowing what just happened a couple years prior.
And Stan McCammon deserves blame as well. Mccaw’s right hand man
Not to mention McCaw effed with the team logo to serve promoting his own corporate image.
Disclaimer : no offense intended to any members of the Cetacean genus. But I mean, let's be honest, how many Killer Whales have ever been observed playing ice hockey, or even road hockey for that matter. #car
McCaw was arguable worse than Aquaman
@@TheBluelineHockey Far worse. Aquaman spends a ton on coaches.
@@TheBluelineHockeyMcCaw was way worse
as a 40+ year Rangers fan, I used to idolize Messier for how he led the blueshirts to victory. After I read about his time with the Canucks and read a book on him how he was dismissive of fans, I can barely watch him anymore.
Fan here. Met him march 1994. March 9th to be exact. Here in Halifax NS. NYR plsayed the Caps. Amonte was still on the team. Got to meet Messier and the whole team, interviewed Mike Gartner on film for a school ptoject, later that night he passed bobby hill on the all time goals list. TSN broadcast the game. I got to spend a whole day. Have VHS footage. Meaaier was INCREDIBLE. And everyone else i know who has met him? Even in Van, they say how great he was.
His ruthless attitude is what made him want to win and win he did.
Ya...it was almost like a Jekyll and Hyde! I respected his play until he came here...he just wasn't the same guy.
@@williamladic6354 His ego was out of control at that point
@@fasteddie9867 Sad.
I’ve been a Canucks fan for 36 years and I’ve seen a lot of guys come and go over the years but it’s friggin wild to me how much seeing these two jerks still pisses me off.
Listening to the West Coast Express podcast really cemented things for me too. Hearing that Gretzky made a point of telling Canucks brass that he wasn’t interested in taking the captaincy from Linden only to have him walk and then Messier come in is a real kick in the junk.
Fuck It's crazy how much I hate Mark Messier. Love from Québec
Appreciate it!
The moose spits in your poutine ❤️ 😍 💖 ❣️
Total goon
Yet I have nothing but respect for him, He won 6 Stanley cups and has a great Lays commercial
Wayne Gretzky signing with Vancouver could of been huge. The possibility of prime Pavel Bure playing with end of career playmaking wizard Gretzky could of gave Bure 70 plus goals.
Then Trevor Linden could of played 2nd line C and the canucks would of had a great 1 2 Center
you forgot to mention Mogilny. That'd line would have been a spectacle to see!
Huge is a classic understatement. It would have changed history for Vancouver. For starters, he would have awakened the whole franchise, shook them out of their laid-back ways, got them off to winning. Playing with the likes of Bure, Mogilny, or Naslund, he'd probably reemerge as a 200-point threat (or at least 160 points), while Bure and Mogilny would be 50-in-50 threats.
Gretzky would have fans back in the stands and tuning in on television from across the nation (and even tuning in from the States). This cash (and prospect of playing with Gretzky) would allow Canucks to attract more free agents. If the Canucks capitalize on this, specifically land a top goaltender and defenseman, they win a Cup before Gretzky retires. Seeing that Curtis Joseph and Rob Blake were available in the 1998 offseason, it's highly plausible they sign them and win in 1999.
Even in the twilight of his career, I think Wayne with Bure and Mogilny would have been insane. Wayne would've retired with over 3,000 points, easily.
@@nickgangone9541 that line would have been unstoppable!
@@nickgangone9541 Given they're both right wingers, and hadn't much success skating together for the Nucks, I think it'd have been more prudent to split the two Russians, have one skate on the second line with Linden and Courtnall. They could alternate spots, get time on Gretzky's right wing (while Nazzy skates on his left).
But yes, in his twilight, he'd still deliver big time. Defenders would be forced to spread in all directions, knowing Gretzky could spring passes to Bure (or Mogliny) for high speed rush. Or he could pass to Naslund, who could either score on the fly, or pass it off to Bure/Mogliny or back to Gretzky. Whatever he does, every opponent knows he knows something they don't and will exploit it. His greatest strength has always been his mind, and he doesn't need to be strong or fast to use that.
That line definitely would be unstoppable. Gretzky would easily break the 3000 plateau. Both Bure and Mogilny would contend for the 50-in-50 mark. But it won't be enough to win a Cup, until they also get a number one defenseman and goaltender. (Don't worry, CuJo and Blake happened to be available in the 1998 free agency).
After destroying the Canucks, he went to the Bruins for a couple years and then went to my Florida Panthers where became both head coach and GM. It went about as well as you would expect. It culminated in him trading away Roberto Luongo to the Canucks oddly enough because he and Keenan absolutely despised each other.
This just solidifies how much love the fans of Canucks have for Gino. We miss you big guy.
These toxic goofs really screwed the Canucks 😢
Linden trade was one of the best of all time for Canucks
@@mikebaxter247 Yeah I guess so, he also came back and retired as a Canuck, so.
@@mikebaxter247 Which only proves that even a blind squirrel finds a nut eventually. Benning was responsible for drafting Hughes, that doesn't make me forgive him for all the many times he screwed this team up.
@@mrquirky3626 I don't think it proves anything other than trading a player when they are at a high is usually a good strategy (Horvat was another example that people hated in this city)
@@mikebaxter247 Horvat? I liked him here as a Canuck. Bottom line he wanted to get paid when all was said and done. I lost respect for him. He's not an 8.5 million dollar a year player imho.
Messier used to shove guys heads in the toilet who he thought were not playing good enough. Horrible abuse that he got away with. I remember someone slashing all of his tires on his Porsche in 85 - probably an abused teammate.
Wow, seriously?
Remember reading Gretzky's book where the dynasty Oilers held rookies down and gave them "the shave".
Not gonna say it was okay, but to be fair, if you grew up playing sports in the 70s and 80s, there was a lot of hazing and humniliation going on. Mess was an intense player and likely was no different than a lot of other assholes in the lockerrooms back then. Stuff has changed a lot in the last 25 years. And that's a good thing.
@@jimoliver535 Like during the 1980-81 season when NY Rangers rookie Ed Hospodar was held down on trainers table - had all his body hair shaved off with blunt razors and finished up with having handle of hockey stick covered in red hot gel shoved up his ass. This was recounted in book about 1980-81 Rangers season called Thin Ice by Larry Sloman.
That's awful. Makes me wonder why the HHOF hasn't inducted Theo Fleury, but it's not surprising when they allow this. @@Britishrailer
Keenan is the most overrated coach in NHL history.
Really hate to say it but he’s won on every level of hockey including Canada cups Junior cup AHL cup ECHL cup Stanley Cup KHL cup team, Canada cup, well there’s your answer what is he done look above?p
Imagine a team with Keenan and with Mike Milbury as a GM
@@muadhib001 Keenan as HC, Mike Babcock as AC & Mike Milbury as GM. 😭
In a 7-year span ('87-'94) he coached three different teams to the finals, Flyers, Rangers and Blackhawks.
That's unprecedented, certainly not overrated.
Wow, thank you for sharing this important Canuck’s history….my mom and dad are die hard fans and I’m finally just getting into it now so learning what my parents lived through first hand is so cool. Thank you! 💚💙
Wow, thats awesome! Welcome aboard
The only thing worst than Mike Keenan are the people that would hire Mike Keenan.
Mike Babcock
Steamer dedicated almost 50 years of his life to the Canucks franchise.
Absolute class human.
Just makes the point easier, keenan is a G-Double-O-F
I was at the game where they retired Stan’s #12
More PTSD for me watching this but as always appreciate the content and in depth stuff about my favourite team .
Glad you enjoyed it Rob!
Don’t forget about Messier’s dirty hit on Linden in game 6 SC finals when Linden was already down
Game 6 but yeah
@@ZanonYes! And to this day, I am mad at Pat Quinn (RIP) for not sending Hunter, Antoski, and Momesso over the boards to get Messier, or Graves…someone! There was time left to send a damn message!
He would have been suspended now
You meant game 6 and yes fuk Messier
Linden was literally crawling to the bench when Messier hit him.
Great vid. You’re an excellent hockey storyteller, man. I’d definitely watch the Messier vid, but I hear you on the painful process of making it. I totally understand if you wouldn’t want to do that to yourself
This was a great video. Can you do an in depth timeline of the Canucks uniform changes going back to 1970 all the way to current? I think a lot of Canucks fans would love that!
Good time of year to show their Hallowe'en Costumes of fourty years ago.
I absolutely could not believe it when my Canucks ended up with Keenan and Messier!! The 2 absolute arch enemies from the ‘94 run! It was like a cruel joke. No franchise has as much weird bad vibes as the Canucks!!! Fight me.
The Canucks franchise has had some ups and a lot of downs but one thing is certain, the are not a boring franchise.
Try Canucks getting Julien and Chara then.
Canucks would of won that 94 cup easy if the rangers didn't just buy whatever players they wanted. Im glad the cap exists...but teams like Vegas just find loopholes to cheat their way to a cup anyway
If that's all it takes, then why didn't they win more cups during that time?
The refs also fixed the game. Messier paid them in blowjobs and cash
Those so called loopholes exist for every team.
Vancouver is a shit hockey market. Stop crying because some teams are richer than others
@@duke3196How are they a shit hockey market? They are one of the best in the nhl
that makes 0 sense at all, if teams could just buy cups the rangers wouldve won way more then 4 before 2000
Good stuff! Love the long form content.
Also, 100% agree, don't waste your time making a video about that goof Messier. There's so many other Canucks for you to cover who are actually beloved.
You know what he should make a video on Mark. New Canuck and hockey fans need to know how much a piece of sh!t Messier was.
As much as I hate RUclips sometimes, I gotta admit they’ve don good by putting new channels like yours in my feeds. Got a sub from me .
Yeahhhhhhhhhh! Do the we HATE MESSIER video!!!!!
Great job! I just gooled Keenan and of all things today is his 75th birthday. Im sure he's not any "kinder" at his age. Canucks provided so many great memories.
This is a great video!!!
UTree, Penguin Note, & fivepoint vids would be proud
Thats an awesome compliment! Thank you
I was a beat writer for the Canucks in the 80s and 90s and Keenan was always a prick to the media.
An overlooked note about Gino Odjick, his first game was against Keenan's Chicago Blackhawks. Odjick convincingly beat Keenan's enforcer, Stu Grimson, at the end of the game in front of the Chicago bench. Keenan held grudges and I'm not saying he did here, but guaranteed he remembered it when he coached Odjick. Might have something to add to why he treated Odjick poorly, but probably not. Just an interesting side note.
Ngl I didn't know this about Mark Messier, but then again, I never looked into players I liked. When I do, i wonder where my morals are if I liked a guy like that.
I saw Keenan coaching the KHL Red Stars in Shanghai 7 or 8 years ago. He was still ludicrously crazy while coaching the game, but the team was woefully overmatched by St Petersburg and Ilya Kovalchuk. I guess he's gone from the KHL and the Red Star no longer is based in China. I was wondering when he would surface again. I'm a Blackhawks fan and I remember the jerk he was behind the bench in Chicago. Good vid showing the reality of Mike Keenan. The man was pure evil....
Great video sparking bad memories. Looks like that tired old trope about getting "banished to Winnipeg" has lost a lot of its meaning these days with players banished there from La La Land who have re-signed with the team along with their UFA Vezina winning goalie and 1st line center and captain. It seems to be working, they're the only undefeated team so far.
Fantastic job, sir!
Interesting stuff. Thanks for posting.
Love your content bro.
The location of his eventual grave site should be kept hidden from citizens of St Louis in the interests of discouraging public urination.
I love your content !!! Keep it up
I love how this comes out RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT after Mike did his media tour for his book.
You have immaculate timing sir!
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
It was a coincidence until I saw him do his press tour, then I ramped up production 😂
I beseech you to do the Messier video. Please. It is long overdue. This is a chapter in Canucks history that should not be forgotten. Only in Vancouver
would they bring in the coach and captain of the team that beat them in the Stanley Cup Finals, and then rip the "C" off the true heart and soul of the team.
Currently Keenan is doing the media rounds trying to sell his book. I hope that people are not foolish enough to buy this book.
Well, as much as most fans hate Keenan and Messier all that mess brought us the twins, that’s it
lol the dig at Virtanen at the end was funny but I wouldnt put him in the keenan and messier levels.
just one tier down tho. great video man
Virtanen was just lazy not hated like Messier and keenan
I was a young kid when this was going down and I remember the disastrous down fall after the 94 run. Was heart breaking to watch.
Keenan tampered with Stevens, traded Shanahan, stripped Hull of the C, and drove away Gretzky. We hate him in St. Louis.
He traded Shanahan for Pronger. You left that part out
Keenan was a great Coach in Philly, Chicago & obviously his 1 year with the Rangers but man did his reputation go south quick once he left NY
If you do a video about Messier, look into the rumours of the sexual abuse he used to inflict on rookies on his teams please. The man is scum.
allegedly refused to pay for dinner bills, haircuts etc
Yeah apparently he went after Bure.
WTF?! I have never heard this story! Where can i find more information on this?
@@joeynova9896 Unfortunately you only hear about it through ex players. Far more stories from ex junior players because there are more of them, but also from ex NHLers. Nothing documented, and a lot of it covered up in the name of money... ie: hockey canada. Stories that would make your head spin in disbelief.
@@MattsBaseballWorld Ureal dude. Makes me hate mike even more! What a piece of 💩!
I’m a Rangers fan and enjoyed seeing the Great One on my team, but as a hockey fan, a Bure, Mogilny, Gretzky line would have been amazing to see.
As a Messier fan too the way Trevor Linden was treated was absolutely f’ing ridiculous.
Keenan and Messier both lost their minds with ego after the ‘94 Cup.
Just imagine a line of…
Bure - Gretzky - Mogilny
2 more Art Ross Trophies for Gretzky. And Bure/Mogilny with 70-80 goals each. This almost happened, but Canucks management called Gretzky at 2:00 in the morning and cornered him to give an answer, causing Gretzky to say he didn’t operate that way and sign with the Rangers instead. Oh, what could have been.
Between Mike and Messier they ripped the heart out of the Canucks. To this day if I seen Messier on fire I would only fan the flames. Keenan is nothing more then a huge JACKASS.
Keenan is a mess. Period. He screwed up some great Blackhawk teams too...
Keenan thought that he was never wrong and was the most important person on the team. He did not know the difference between discipline and abuse. Sometimes a team needs a coach to whip them into shape, but power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Teams that gave Keenan that power could momentarily improve, but it would not last. Keenan crapped on players because he liked it and he could, and not because it would improve the player. Screw you, coach.
Great video man, really entertaining and brought back a lot of horrible memories 😂
I don’t know how this video showed up for me but I’m glad. I’m a penguins fan who lives just outside of Philadelphia. I just wanted to say you’ve done an amazing job highlighting a lot of interesting stuff. You should branch out to more hockey clubs. I’m sure you would grow even more than you have already
Screw the Pens
@ you should be thanking the pens for taking the whole front office, coach, and few players.
Back in the 80s and 90s actor Micheal Ironside would have been the perfect choice to play Mike Keenan on screen imo
Good call!👍🏻
I don't think Michael Ironside could play someone that unlikable.
3:12 bro yes make the Messi video
If all this info was true and accurate, thank you for the hard work, digging and sharing. I never knew a lot of this stuff but when the Canucks hired Iron Mike, I remember cringing...and he did not disappoint....or actually he really did disappoint! It was so sad to hear about how Messier acted but I agree...from this fan's point of view...it didn't really seem like Messier was making much of an effort to play on the ice when he dawned the Canucks jersey. It was so sad to watch. I guess you could say he was only a 'CHIP' of his old self. Do most fans think he Lays an egg when he played here?
This was a dark video for sure...I hope you will do another one on the positive side. A expose on one of the Canucks best coaches...in my opinion...Alan Vigneault! It was sad to see him go...almost as much as it was to see Trevor Linden being traded to the Islanders...the Linden move was almost as unbelievable as the Gretzky trade from Edmonton to L.A.!
awesome video man. you got my sub
Thanks for the sub!
Im an NBA guy but I really watching Hockey Lore, great job on this
Hated Keenan when he was here in Chicago. There’s something about a guy who’s never actually played in the NHL and acts like that just seems rooted in jealousy. Torteralla and Babcock are like that too.
Torts is nothing like those two
Messier was a bad deal for the Canucks, pretty sure it was just for the astronomical money for the time, but also he stole the cup from us in the Ranger finals.
As a die hard, this video hit pretty hard. The owners and management for this organization has been pure dog shit at times and is really no wonder we don't have a cup here. Since the Sedin's our franchise has been respectful for the most part, I know a guy like Bo Horvat wasn't a favorite to some but he played his hardest and was a stepping stone to Miller and Hughes leadership we have now. My favorite years were always the 2001-2004 with the WCE line, that team had some decent players but never a goalie to win it all.
Great vid! Learned a lot today. I grew up watching Keenan, what a knuckle head!
Sounds like Babcock and Keanen went to the same coaching school
Great video.
This video feels like an epilogue of why Mike Keenan's career as GM and Coach was so bad. "Can you imagine a line of Pavel Bure and Alexander Mogilny centered by Wayne Gretzky?"
The St. Louis Blues under his reign at one point had Brett Hull, Wayne Gretzky, Chris Pronger, Al McInnis, and Grant Fuhr on the same team. The 95-96 Blues falls into the category of "how did that team not win a Stanley Cup?".
I hated Keenan when he was here in Chicago.
I look at the Blues rosters from the mid 1990’s and wonder how we didn’t win at least one cup then I see Mike Keenan was the coach AND gm
It was all the explanation I needed
absolutely nuts! thank you!
Awesome video 👍🏽
great video!
Great video. Keenan always gave me a sleazy lawyer/car salesman vibe- before stories of his toxic personality came out.
Love the part in Fluery's autobiography, where he talks about Keenan chirping other team in warm ups. Supposedly Fleury's return chirp made Keenan's players bust out laughing.
Quite a good breakdown of what transpired. Such a sad chapter in Canuck history. Keenan and Messier - two peas in a pod. I was considering subscribing but I just cannot listen to AI voices for more than a short time. The one you’ve selected has almost mastered pronunciation, but it’s just too robotic. Sorry.
Great vid. Almost got in a bar fight with Ranger fans one time trashing Mark Messier as a player. In Whistler, playing pool with a bunch of NY dudes, and Mark's name comes up and I immediately said he's the most overrated player ever... a great wrist shot doesn't make a great player. Well well well, the attitudes came out and four of them start hollering like I insulted their mother. But in the end, they couldn't describe why Mess was actually a good player.... "he motivates his teammates"... yeah right, maybe if he led by example.
3rd leading scorer in the history of the league and 6 cups.
@@Leroy-df3ee 9th leading scorer, and it doesn't matter 1 bit that he played with Gretz, Kurri, and Coffee right? Guys that got Dave Semenko to score 15 goals.
@@MattsBaseballWorld Messier is a legend.
@@MattsBaseballWorld You are clueless.
@@Leroy-df3eeI agree, you are clueless and Messier is overrated. Shouldn't even be in the HHOF.
You got yourself a like and subscribe. Great video.
Thank you so much!
I do think it's pretty ironic that Burke blasted how Keenan treated players, when Burke himself pulled a total scumbag move on Peter Zezel.
That said, Keenan and Messier deserve all the hate they get from Vancouver
The Russians were not scared of Keenan.
These kids grew up with nothing but negative reinforcement from Soviet coaches...since childhood.
Keenan was like Spongebob compared to them lol
Listening to stories about Messier's time with Vancouver is like a much more sinister version of certain NBA stars acting as GMs in today's game
Yes, this Canucks fan approves of this video. Plenty of parallels here with the Brian Clough/Leeds United (LUFC is my YT logo) story from 1974. There's a book and a movie about that whole episode called "The Damned United."
Thanks for what you do and yes
I have no clue about the animosity with mark messier & Vancouver
It would be great to know about it
I never understood the full story about why the Canucks fell so far from cup contention, I knew there had to be a reason, but what was it? Now I know, plain bad management, wrong people in charge and it trickled down to the all the players, I loved Trevor Linden, Gino Odjick, they were heart and soul for Canucks franchise. Keenan was a devastating to the team and siderailed the team totally. Messier? Well, I was shocked to learn what he was like. Go Canucks Go I am a fan forever!
We can never get enough Messier bashing around here. Bring on the Messier vid!
Keenan was universally despised by almost every player from every organization. When he coached the Chicago Blackhawks his treatment of the goaltenders demonstrated clearly he knew nothing about the position. He abused and bullied his goalkeepers until they lost their own confidence and the faith of their teammates. He convinced people Ed Belfour was a second tier goalkeeper.
He was known as "Iron Mike" for a reason and he divisiveness ensured he never stayed with any team very long. With many a number of experienced coaches getting outed for previous player abuse in past 5 years, there is absolutely no chance for Iron Mike to ever be in the NHL again as a coach. Moose was a terrible leader for the Canucks and didn't respect the use of jersey #11 (which was Wayne Maki's number). I can easily see any number of former players that would suckerpunch Keenan if they had the chance. I still find it funny that the NHL made the Mark Messier Leadership Award. I think Bettman influenced this as he's from NY state.
Keenan is one of the most overrated coaches ever. Heck, he almost screwed over the Rangers in 94 too when he started benching Leetch (Conn Smythe) and Richter in the play-offs.
please do the messier video, as a new fan i want to understand the "irreparable damage" he did to the franchise
Fans like yourself is why he should make that video.
Good vid, nice work! I am a lifelong NYR fan, so for me Messier is “the Captain”. Not many rumors about Messier make it to the public out here😂. Would be curious about a Messier expose, but also understand why you wouldn’t want to. For many in hockey world, Messier is legend.
One person who has never impressed me is Brian Burke. Another guy with wa6 too many opinions and a limited success ledger. He walked into his Cup, and pretty much failed everywhere else. Not a fan.
Keep u0 the good work!
I worked for the railroad in western Canada in the 80’s and there was crazy bosses everywhere. Yelling and bullying was just how some bosses thought things needed to be done. I recently retired from railroad and times have really changed haha
He was my high school gym teacher. Even back in the mid 1970s his mind was only on hockey.
As a Rangers fan, Keenan and THE Captain are the best! Messier is one of the greatest captains ever, not just in hockey but in all sports. The Rangers got Gretzky and Mess, and Mike destroyed the Canucks from the inside. Then, after the Vancouver "hiccup," Messier returned home, finished his career on Broadway, and now his number 11 hangs in the rafters with the rest of the '94 core guys. Thanks, Vancouver.
There's nothing controversial about their tenure. They were undoubtedly the most hated figures in Canucks history, whether as opponents or as members of the team. I could write an entire essay about my thoughts on the tyrannical duo that wreaked havoc on the Canucks just for the hell of it. Nobody in Canucks fandom disputes anything about them, as we all stand united against those 2 in Canucks Army
Wait I thought we blamed everything Gary?😂? Great video!
10k subscribers by xmas?
Thats the goal!
The same can be said of his successful, yet tumultuous coaching tenure with the Flyers.
So down for a Mess video... just sub'd, don't let me down
If he coached today, he would last as long as Babcock did in Columbus. He was brutal on goalies. Growing up, I played for coaches like him even as a kid. Once they get a target that player has no chance. I wonder sometimes if it was a plan to destroy the Canucks by those two because they almost beat the Rangers in the Finals. The two of them did a lot of damage to that team in a short period of time. Two egos that were bigger than the team.
I wonder if Griffiths had just sold the Grizzlies and kept the Canucks instead? Then maybe would've had Gretzky in '96 and generated more revenue from tickets and merch, and maybe another cup run. The Canucks needed a new arena regardless of NBA arrival. Messier's best days were with the Oilers, he was a good leader then. Would've been better with #99 though in Vancouver as opposed to Messier.
I get that this is a video about Keenan's time in the Canucks, and what made him so horrible there (and elsewhere). But I would have liked to hear just a little about what made him so effective in some teams: He won basically everything a coach can win. Three Stanley Cups + all the other shit can't be pure luck or happenstance. Btw, super interesting video. And I'm not even a hockey fan. :D
One silver lining is that this is how Mark Messier played himself off of the olympic team. Although Canada didn't win anything that year, so it's maybe it's a double edged sword.
A lot of things to point out... First, McCaw wasn't that hands on as owner. Second, Messier didn't demand the captaincy from Linden, the latter just willingly ceded it just because it made sense to differ to a more accomplished leader. Thirdly, Quinn did approve of signing Messier.
This video is full of non factual bs
@@jeevjovan9506Found the Rangers fan.
Definitely make a video on Messier. I'm a Ranger fan, so He's a hero to me. He won us our only Cup in the modern era. I'd love to hear an alternative take on Him.
Keenan makes Babcock seem like a saint.
Love the video! Would love to see a Messier video too!