billbillbill
Registered User
- Jun 8, 2006
- 328
- 27
Hey guys,
Curious about your recollections of this player. He was before my time but I've been fascinated with his career for a few years.
He came to my attention back when the Canucks traded for Zack Kassian. Someone wrote an article about Kassian being the latest chapter in the Canucks' long search for a power winger along the lines of Cam Neely. Of course, they HAD Neely - and my understanding is that they traded him, in part, to make room for Jim Sandlak...
The narrative that I've read:
-Sandlak is touted as a future 50 goal scorer after a dominant WJC showing in 1986. He captains Team Canada, ties for the tournament lead in goals, and throws some spectacular hits. In the wake of this performance, Canucks management deems Cam Neely expendable and infamously trades him to Boston.
-Spends the early part of his NHL career perceived as inconsistent and, despite his size, intimidated. Canucks fans hold out hope because Neely took his time too.
-Has his best season in 91-92 on the "Twin Towers" line with Sergio Momesso and Cliff Ronning. Has a playoff run reminiscent of his WJC performance.
-Career winds down quickly after that. Retires at 28 due to back problems.
Anyway, I'd love to read some scouting reports. Did he have the talent to be a scorer in the NHL? Was he rushed or mismanaged? How big was the hype in Vancouver? Was there hope that he'd catch up to Neely? When did that die? Was there hope that he was going to carry his 92 playoff performance forward?
Curious about your recollections of this player. He was before my time but I've been fascinated with his career for a few years.
He came to my attention back when the Canucks traded for Zack Kassian. Someone wrote an article about Kassian being the latest chapter in the Canucks' long search for a power winger along the lines of Cam Neely. Of course, they HAD Neely - and my understanding is that they traded him, in part, to make room for Jim Sandlak...
The narrative that I've read:
-Sandlak is touted as a future 50 goal scorer after a dominant WJC showing in 1986. He captains Team Canada, ties for the tournament lead in goals, and throws some spectacular hits. In the wake of this performance, Canucks management deems Cam Neely expendable and infamously trades him to Boston.
-Spends the early part of his NHL career perceived as inconsistent and, despite his size, intimidated. Canucks fans hold out hope because Neely took his time too.
-Has his best season in 91-92 on the "Twin Towers" line with Sergio Momesso and Cliff Ronning. Has a playoff run reminiscent of his WJC performance.
-Career winds down quickly after that. Retires at 28 due to back problems.
Anyway, I'd love to read some scouting reports. Did he have the talent to be a scorer in the NHL? Was he rushed or mismanaged? How big was the hype in Vancouver? Was there hope that he'd catch up to Neely? When did that die? Was there hope that he was going to carry his 92 playoff performance forward?