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As we know, Pat Quinn struggled mightily to acquire a top centerman during his time as the Vancouver Canucks' general manager. The team lacked a centerman for Pavel Bure since the departure of Igor Larionov in 1992, and he missed out on Wayne Gretzky after providing him with the now-infamous middle-of-the-night ultimatum via telephone.
In 1996, however, the problem of providing Bure -- and now Alexander Mogilny -- with a proper centerman was almost resolved. Mogilny was frustrated, finally calling out management for not providing him and Pavel with a centerman who could complement them.
It was just a few weeks before that when the Boston Bruins offered the Canucks this deal:
Adam Oates for Trevor Linden -- straight up, one-for-one.
As a result of Quinn's futility, Mogilny finally blew up:
Considering the Canucks' needs and the potential to have a line of Mogilny-Oates-Bure, would you have accepted the offer of Oates for Linden from the Bruins?
In 1996, however, the problem of providing Bure -- and now Alexander Mogilny -- with a proper centerman was almost resolved. Mogilny was frustrated, finally calling out management for not providing him and Pavel with a centerman who could complement them.
It was just a few weeks before that when the Boston Bruins offered the Canucks this deal:
Adam Oates for Trevor Linden -- straight up, one-for-one.
As a result of Quinn's futility, Mogilny finally blew up:
Back to Front: Mogilny, Bure blast like past: [Final C Edition 1]
Bell, Terry. The Province [Vancouver, B.C] 03 Jan 1997: A48 / FRONT.
What a difference a new year makes.
Pavel Bure and Alexander Mogilny looked like their old and magical selves Thursday night, and the Vancouver Canucks got a couple of lucky breaks to win their 1997 debut.
Canucks 4 Kings 3. But don't get too excited. It was after all only the 13-22-4 Los Angeles Kings. At least the Canucks didn't blow a chance to end a four-game losing streak after a confidence- shaking and injury-riddled 3-9-1 December.
And the Canucks nearly blew it, giving up two third period goals and having another called back by referee Mick MeGeough.
Reunited with centre Esa Tikkanen after a two-game separation, Bure scored two goals and added an assist while Mogilny added a goal and two assists as the Canucks improved to 17-19-1 overall.
For Mogilny, the effort and the rewards couldn't have been better timed. He'd made headlines Thursday morning, saying that if the Canucks couldn't trade for a playmaking centre to feed him and Bure the puck, they might as well trade him.
But the talk seemed to light a fire under both Mogilny and Bure.
An injury, Tikkanen only had one second-period shift and didn't play in the third, forced Canucks coach Tom Renney to insert Mike Sillinger between the Russians.
...
Mogilny demands centre help: [Final Edition]
Gallagher, Tony. The Province [Vancouver, B.C] 02 Jan 1997: A41.
Alexander Mogilny hinted at it last week in Phoenix. He said it more specifically after the New Year's Eve loss to Philadelphia, when the Canuck players worked as hard as possible with scarcely a hope of victory.
The team needs some help. If it doesn't come, Mogilny says he would just as soon take a hike.
He would like a centre. You know, a person who actually calls the middle his natural position who wouldn't clear waivers. And it isn't easy to say so. He doesn't want to be hurting teammates' feelings or coming off like a prima dona because it isn't happening for he or Pavel Bure.
But face facts -- this team isn't going to win with centres like Esa Tikkanen and Trevor Linden (who are natural wingers), Mike Sillinger and Alexander Semak (both of whom have cleared waivers at some point this season), and Mike Ridley.
"I like it here and I want to stay. But we all want to win in this room," said Mogilny. "You can see we're working. But we need help. Everybody knows it all starts with strength up the middle.
"I'm not in a management position. I don't make decisions and I know it's not easy to make trades. But if it doesn't change, I hope when they make a trade it's me. And I've told them as much."
...
So Mogilny makes his comments with the knowledge it's entirely likely the Canucks have already begun the preliminary work on his departure. With Pat Quinn running things, the talks will doubtless take on a glacial pace, but it would appear the Rangers and Washington are the best fits for a deal with the Islanders, New Jersey and Chicago lesser possibilities. Mogilny lives in Point Roberts and is becoming an American citizen and won't report to another Canadian team. Detroit would be a real reach, and it's possible a three-way deal would have to be concluded to bring Vancouver what it needs in such a move, a centre who can help Bure and/or a defenceman a shade better than Frank Kucera. Russ Courtnall also figures to bring a player in one of these categories as well, but his market value wanes with each hour of Quinn's waffling.
The ideal thing would be to try to get a centre or d-man with one of the goalkeepers but with the glut of players in this position such a happy outcome is unlikely.
...
Quinn would not give up Trevor Linden for Adam Oates.Mogilny frustrated, Quinn says: [FINAL C Edition]
Mason, Gary. The Vancouver Sun [Vancouver, B.C] 04 Jan 1997: B.1.
Alexander Mogilny says the Canucks need a No. 1 centre to be competitive... Pat Quinn thinks that's baloney.
In an extraordinarily frank and wide-ranging interview Friday, Quinn opened up to talk about the Mogilny-centreman issue, his shaky defence, botched deals, whether trades are in the winds, his relationship with John McCaw and his own future... He thinks Mogilny is frustrated by his play and hinted contract negotiations may have motivated his star player to demand a trade unless the team gets a playmaking centre to feed him and Bure.
``I think there's more behind this than Alex making a statement that he believes is correct.'' But while Quinn says he wants to re-sign Mogilny, he said no one is immune from being traded if he feels it will help the hockey club. ``These are hypotheticals and you always look at ways to improve your hockey club so I wouldn't say I would not trade Joe Blow, Alex Mogilny or whatever, no. I couldn't promise you that.''
``Do I plan to do it? No.'' Asked if he was looking to make a trade, Quinn said:``I do every day.'' And while not mentioning Mogilny by name, it is clear the tough-talking GM doesn't have much time for stars blaming others for their problems... In pointing to the play of a less talented Florida Panther team that went to the Cup last year, Quinn said: ``The team became way more important than any individual and a lot of times it's easier to coach a team like that because you don't have the egos, you don't have the pouters . . . there is tremendous pressure on these high-paid guys and their responses are all different.'' But Mogilny hasn't been the only voice criticizing Quinn for not addressing the team's lack of depth at centre. It's been a complaint by fans and the media the last several years.
Quinn says he's looked for a top centre for 10 years and contrary to some reports, it was he who urged owner John McCaw to find the dollars to sign Wayne Gretzky. He says he wasn't against the deal at all. Looking tired and shifting uncomfortably in his chair because of a degenerative hip, Quinn says he didn't re-sign centres Cliff Ronning and Jesse Bellanger to free up money to make other acquisitions in the middle, including Gretzky. He went after other centres, including Bernie Nicholls, who eventually signed with San Jose.
Now, having ended up with nothing through trades or the free-agent route, he regrets Ronning isn't here... But he doesn't buy the view of Mogilny and others that Ronning is a great playmaking centre. ``Cliff's not a play-making centre. Down in the offensive zone he may be but through mid-ice where Alex is talking about getting a centre, Cliff didn't move the puck in that area.''... ``Pavel is working his bag off.''
...
It sounds like Mogilny will be traded by Quinn before deadline: [FINAL Edition]
Mason, Gary. The Vancouver Sun [Vancouver, B.C] 15 Jan 1997: E.1.
Expect Canucks boss Pat Quinn to pull the trigger on at least one trade in the next few weeks. And don't be surprised to see disgruntled Russian Alexander Mogilny to be the centrepiece of a blockbuster. There are several scenarios emerging and lots of big names being bandied about as the March 20 trade deadline gets closer. We could see a couple of one-for-one trades involving second-tier players such as Russ Courtnall.
Or we could see a bigger package involving a group of similarly-skilled players. One earthshaker would be Mogilny being part of a trade involving another recognized star and perhaps some supporting actors.
``They'll definitely be some trades,'' said one Canuck source. ``It remains to be seen whether Alex will be part of any moves. It would have to be perfect for us. But there's been lots of interest.''
Quinn is under increasing pressure to improve and change the dynamics of his struggling club. Fans are hollering for a shake-up. Fans are howling for Quinn's head. Mogilny has led the call for a skilled centre. Coach Tom Renney would love a playmaking defenceman to feed his skilled players and captain the power-play. Quinn would like more grit and would likely trade some of his softer, skilled players for heart and toughness.
He has said he'd trade anyone to improve his team but realistically there is a group of players you're not likely to see go anywhere, including Pavel Bure, Trevor Linden, Bret Hedican and Martin Gelinas. Mogilny heads a list of players that could be moved. Russ Courtnall, Markus Naslund, Adrian Aucoin, Leif Rohlin also make the list. But beyond Mogilny, these players have little market appeal.
Meantime, there are two playmaking centres known to be available.
Boston has talked to Vancouver about Adam Oates. The Bruins wanted Trevor Linden in exchange. And that ended that conversation. But Oates could surface again involving other players.
Toronto is dangling Doug Gilmour and it appears Leafs' GM Cliff Fletcher is intent on getting first-class youth in return to replenish an aging hockey team. Kirk Muller is also available.
Vancouver is reluctant to offer up good young talent (i.e. Matthias Ohlund) or first-round picks in exchange for someone who might only help the team for a couple of years.
...
Vancouver not on Oates' itinerary: Bruins wanted Trevor Linden for 34-year-old centre straight up, but Canucks declined.: [FINAL Edition]
MacIntyre, Iain. The Vancouver Sun [Vancouver, B.C] 26 Feb 1997: E.2.
As the hockey world buzzed Monday over the trade of Toronto Maple Leaf Doug Gilmour, it became clearer in the happy little land of the Vancouver Canucks that Adam Oates likely isn't coming here and Russ Courtnall isn't staying.
About the time Gilmour was packing his bags for New Jersey, stories in Boston hit the airwaves that Oates - the other highly-coveted centre on the trading block - would soon be leaving Boston in the wake of his honest assessment that the Bruins troubles begin with general manager Harry Sinden.
And a source close to Oates said the 34-year-old could be going to the Canucks as part of a package that would see Vancouver captain Trevor Linden go to the Bruins.
But Canuck assistant general manager George McPhee said late Monday afternoon that the club had not spoken recently with the Bruins. Asked if it were possible Linden could be involved in a trade with Boston, McPhee said ``definitely not.''
``We've talked to them -- we've talked to every team -- but I wouldn't say anything is happening,'' McPhee said. ``It was a while ago.''
The Bruins asked several weeks ago for a straight Oates-for-Linden swap, but the Canucks flatly refused that proposal.
...
Oates was in the process of being shipped out of Boston. I feel Quinn should have capitalized when he had the opportunity to.Quinn may sow playoff Oates: [Final Edition]
Bell, Terry. The Province [Vancouver, B.C] 27 Feb 1997: A64.
The Adam Oates trade talks are on again, according to Vancouver Canucks president and GM Pat Quinn.
Quinn said he won't guarantee that changes are coming to his 27- 32-2 NHL team, but he did say Wednesday he's "active" in his pursuit of any deal that would help the team rebound from a sorry 3-9 February.
That activity includes discussions with the Boston Bruins about centre Oates.
"We discussed Oates with Boston in mid-November," said Quinn. "We're on again. Do we want to (make a deal)? Yes. Can I guarantee it? No.
"Several teams are interested (in Oates) and that alters the deal," added Quinn. He said the Canucks haven't made an actual trade offer to the Bruins.
...
The Washington Capitals acquired Oates a few days later:Oates on hot spot: Dared to point the finger: [Final Edition]
Gallagher, Tony. The Province [Vancouver, B.C] 21 Feb 1997: A61.
As soon as Adam Oates ripped Boston Bruins management late Tuesday night after a 3-2 overtime loss in Denver, they began immediately trying to characterize his comments as strictly a ploy for more money.
If this sounds familiar to those in Vancouver, it should. It's the same technique used here when a player's frustration boils over.
...
Among Oates's comments were: "A guy is on my left wing a week ago (P.C. Drouin) and three days later he's in the minors. He got sat out the other night in the minors. What the bleep is that? How do you win games like that?
"You go on a trip and everyone says it's a big trip. For what? So we can win five games because we're lousy and we get in the eighth spot and lose four straight and get embarrassed and then get shelled all summer?
"It's upstairs, baby. That's their job, not ours. Our best player is 36 years old and he's gotten less and less support every year.
"We played our ***** off. We were playing the Stanley Cup champs. We're never going to win. We will win here and there but we're not bleeping good enough. It's sickening. It's a joke. I'm sick of it. Every other team tries to improve itself. We don't even try. They come in here and yell at us after the first period. The problem is upstairs."
...
Needless to say, Sinden and his caddy Mike O'Connell immediately went into damage control.
"I think (money) is a big part of it, in my limited experience in this world of high-priced athletes," said O'Connell. "He states that he doesn't have enough help. He has a 19-game point scoring streak. Did he do it all himself?"
...
The greatest retribution the Bruins can inflict, of course, would be to hang on to him despite his obvious wish to depart. This would come at a cost to the team down the road and to the Boston fans. But when have they ever mattered? There are a number of teams interested in trading for Oates and one might suppose the Canucks are one of them.
...
In the meantime, the Bruins have removed the 'A' from Oates's sweater. Nobody has yet been given the letter and there is speculation around the team that many players will not take it in a show of support. The next few days around Oates and the Bruins should be like the circus that surrounded Mogilny after his remarks. His crime was the same. He told the truth.
Caps get Oates, Tocchet, Ranford; Bruins get Carey, youth: [FINAL Edition]
The Gazette [Montreal, Que] 02 Mar 1997: B.3.
The Boston Bruins sent disgruntled centre Adam Oates, right-winger Rick Tocchet and goalie Bill Ranford to the Washington Capitals in a blockbuster, six-player deal last night.
Oates, one of the NHL's top playmakers, had given Boston an ultimatum to bring in more supporting talent or trade him. The Bruins, in danger of finishing out of the playoffs for the first time in 30 years, responded by swinging one of the biggest deals in recent NHL history.
The Bruins sent three of their top players to Washington in a deal of veterans for youth. In exchange, the Bruins received goaltender Jim Carey, centres Jason Allison and Anson Carter, a 1997 third-round draft choice and a 1998 second-round pick if the Capitals re-sign Tocchet, an unrestricted free agent when his contract expires in May.
The deal is the biggest in the NHL since the Philadelphia Flyers acquired Eric Lindros from the Quebec Nordiques in 1992 for six players, two draft picks and $15 million.
``We had to find a situation where a team was looking for now and was prepared to give up some of its future,'' Bruins general manager Harry Sinden said at a press conference.
Bruins coach Steve Kasper felt the trade would improve team morale.
``The last week has been a little trying,'' he said. ``There has been, if you want to say, a cloud hanging around.
``Now the team can focus. They can look into the locker room and say, this is our club. It will help the club.''
...
Considering the Canucks' needs and the potential to have a line of Mogilny-Oates-Bure, would you have accepted the offer of Oates for Linden from the Bruins?
Works Cited
Bell, Terry. "Back to Front: Mogilny, Bure Blast Like Past." The Province: 0. Jan 03 1997. ProQuest. Web. 20 Aug. 2014 .
Bell, Terry. "Quinn may Sow Playoff Oates." The Province: 0. Feb 27 1997. ProQuest. Web. 20 Aug. 2014 .
"Caps Get Oates, Tocchet, Ranford; Bruins Get Carey, Youth." The Gazette: 0. Mar 02 1997. ProQuest. Web. 20 Aug. 2014 .
Gallagher, Tony. "Mogilny Demands Centre Help." The Province: 0. Jan 02 1997. ProQuest. Web. 20 Aug. 2014 .
Gallagher, Tony. "Oates on Hot Spot: Dared to Point the Finger." The Province: 0. Feb 21 1997. ProQuest. Web. 20 Aug. 2014 .
MacIntyre, Iain. "Vancouver Not on Oates' Itinerary: Bruins Wanted Trevor Linden for 34-Year-Old Centre Straight Up, but Canucks Declined." The Vancouver Sun: 0. Feb 26 1997. ProQuest. Web. 20 Aug. 2014 .
Mason, Gary. "It Sounds Like Mogilny Will be Traded by Quinn before Deadline." The Vancouver Sun: 0. Jan 15 1997. ProQuest. Web. 20 Aug. 2014 .
Mason, Gary. "Mogilny Frustrated, Quinn Says." The Vancouver Sun: 0. Jan 04 1997. ProQuest. Web. 20 Aug. 2014 .
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