Mr. Vancouver

Ask any Canuck fan in Vancouver who they loved watching play and I can guarantee you that on many lists, the name Trevor Linden would appear.  No, he wasn't the gritty captain that Stan Smyl was, nor was he the super-talented goal scorer that Pavel Bure was, heck, he wasn't even the steady engine of offense that Markus Naslund was when the West Coast Express was all the rage in Vancouver.  What Linden was to Vancouver was a player who gave everything to the Vancouver fans and in return, was received like one of their own.

Drafted in the first round in 1988 by Vancouver, Linden's highest goal total was 33, which was accomplished three times in his career.  However, it wasn't the offensive numbers that gained him the respect of the Vancouver faithful, but his leadership abilities.  Named one of the captains in the 1990-91 season, he would eventually gain sole possession of the role a year later, a role he would have until Mark Messier joined the team in 1997.  That would also mark the beginning of the end of his first run as a Canuck and a struggle to make it through stops with the New York Islanders, Washington, and Montreal.  In 2001, he would rejoin the Canucks in a trade, and though his offensive peak was way behind him, the leadership qualities and the love of the fans were still there.  Linden also was instrumental in Markus Naslund's development as captain, furthering both players' legacies with the Canucks.  He would retire after the 2007-08 season, and soon after, his number 16 would be retired.  Linden wasn't the most gifted Canuck ever, but he gave an honest effort and was a great locker room presence for Naslund, who would in turn, help the Sedins become great players on and off the ice.