The simple fact was the Team just wasn't that good before Messier Got there,
You're right, the Canucks were on the decline at that point in time, but when Messier got there the team became a lot worse. There is no denying that...the numbers and stats say it all.
Bure Wanted out & was saying how he wanted to go to a city that was not a "Fish Bowl" Messier Convinced him to stay.
Bure's relationship was already very strained with the Canuck higher-ups at this point. Don't get me wrong I like Bure; he was the Canucks' most exciting player, a superstar and all. However, if it was Messier's doing to keep a guy who didn't want to be here, had problems with management, and REFUSED to play for the team, then I give him full credit.
The whole situation was a disaster from the GM down to the coaching Staff. You should be thanking Messier to help shape that Franchise for the future success they are having now, His Finger prints are all over them.
Coming from a Rangers fan I'm not convinced. Messier did a ton for your franchise and there is no denying that he is a great player. The simple fact of the matter is he did **** all in Vancouver. Now it's not entirely his fault (management problems and Keenan screwed things up as well), but the idea that Messier helped shape this franchise to what it is today is totally laughable. He was there for 3 miserable chaotic years and the minute he went back to NY, the Canucks started to turn around. Mark Messier was great in Edmonton and New York, but he sucked in Vancouver, plain and simple. His contributions to what's happening to the Canucks franchise today are minimal if not non-existant.