1988–89 Vancouver Canucks season

In June 1988, Nelson Skalbania attempted to broker a deal with his friend, Edmonton Oilers owner Peter Pocklington to acquire Wayne Gretzky for the Canucks.Pat Quinn played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Vancouver Canucks by selecting Trevor Linden with the second overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft.His strategic approach to team building, which had started with key transactions during the previous offseason, continued as he sought to strengthen the Canucks through further trades and acquisitions.The Canucks only had to part with a third-round pick in 1989 (Veli-Pekka Kautonen) to sign the veterans Paul Reinhart and Steve Bozek from Calgary on September 6.Combined with solid netminding from Kirk McLean and Steve Weeks, only powerhouses Montreal and Calgary would surrender fewer goals than the Canucks that season.With Garth Butcher, Rich Sutter, Stan Smyl, Jim Sandlak, Ronnie Stern, Darryl Stanley, and Snepsts in the line-up, Vancouver was suddenly a not-so-pleasant stop on a western road trip.Jim Sandlak was the hero in the seventh win, a tight-checking game against Toronto that was played in front of a packed house and a national television audience.His rebound goal with 18 seconds to play in overtime off of a Snepsts point shot after an offensive-zone face-off win by Linden sent the home crowd into a frenzy.Don Cherry hopped on the Canucks bandwagon and on Coach's Corner wore a button declaring "I vote Trevor Linden NHL Rookie-of-the-Year 1989".At the 2:33 mark of the extra frame, ex-Flame Paul Reinhart exacted revenge on the team that was so quick to part with him by sending a wrist shot through traffic over Mike Vernon's left shoulder.Early in the second, with Rob Ramage off for high-sticking Rich Sutter, Trevor Linden unleashed a powerful shot that beat Vernon to tie the game.Seconds later, Joe Mullen's shot toward the net hit the skate of Harold Snepsts and directed through McLean's legs to give the lead back to Calgary with a period to play.Mullen made a move to put McLean down and out, but they young netminder flung his goal-stick out in desperation and knocked the puck away at the goal line.
1988–89Vancouver CanucksSmytheCampbellPat QuinnBob McCammonCaptainStan SmylPaul ReinhartGarth ButcherRich SutterPacific ColiseumTrevor LindenPetri SkrikoAssistsPointsPenalty minutesKirk McLeanGoals against averageTroy Gamble1987–881989–90Smythe DivisionCalgary FlamesJoel OttoStanley CupNelson SkalbaniaPeter PocklingtonWayne GretzkySteve BozekCalgaryRobert NordmarkCraig DarbySt. LouisDave RichterHarold SnepstsSteve WeeksMontrealJim SandlakRonnie Stern1988 NHL entry draftMedicine Hat TigersLeif RohlinDane JacksonCorrie D'AlessioPhil von StefenelliDixon WardRoger AkerstromPaul ConstantinSteve McKichanEdmontonTony TantiGreg D. AdamsBarry PedersonWinnipegTorontoDon CherryCoach's CornerIvan HlinkaLos Angeles KingsEdmonton OilersWinnipeg JetsLos AngelesDetroit Red WingsNew York IslandersNew York RangersNew Jersey DevilsWashington CapitalsChicago BlackhawksPittsburgh PenguinsPhiladelphia FlyersHartford WhalersBoston BruinsMontreal CanadiensMinnesota North StarsSt. Louis BluesBuffalo SabresQuebec NordiquesToronto Maple LeafsBrian BradleyDan HodgsonDavid BruceMel BridgmanDoug SmithGreg C. AdamsKen BerryJosé CharbonneauRob MurphyRon SternJay MazurTodd HawkinsJeff RohlicekDoug LidsterLarry MelnykJim BenningDaryl StanleyKevan GuyRandy BoydIan KiddMike VernonTerry CrispSaddledomeJoe NieuwendykAl MacInnisGary RobertsBill McCrearyRob RamageJoe MullenBrad McCrimmonDoug GilmourJim PeplinskiCalder Memorial TrophyVezina TrophyMasterton TrophyJack Adams TrophyNHL All-Rookie TeamThe Hockey NewsMolson CupCyclone Taylor AwardMost Exciting PlayerVancouver Canucks seasons1970–711971–721972–731973–741974–751975–761976–771977–781978–791979–801980–811981–821982–831983–841984–851985–861986–871990–911991–921992–931993–941994–951995–961996–971997–981998–991999–002000–012001–022002–032003–042004–052005–062006–072007–082008–092009–102010–112011–122012–132013–142014–152015–162016–172017–182018–192019–202020–212021–222022–232023–242024–25Vancouver, British ColumbiaGeneral managersCoachesPlayersDraft picksexpansion draftSeasonsCurrent seasonHistoryWHL yearsRecordsAward winnersBroadcastersCanucks Sports & EntertainmentFrancesco AquiliniJim RutherfordPatrik AllvinRick TocchetQuinn HughesRogers ArenaAbbotsford CanucksKalamazoo WingsSportsnet PacificSportsnet 650Todd Bertuzzi–Steve Moore incidentThe Green MenRobin ScherbatskyThe House That Heaven BuiltI'm Just Here for the RiotRing of HonourTowel PowerWest Coast ExpressMark DonnellyJim Robson2014 Heritage ClassicThunderbird Sports Centre1988–89 NHL seasonNew JerseyNY IslandersNY RangersPhiladelphiaPittsburghWashingtonBostonBuffaloHartfordQuebecChicagoDetroitMinnesotaEntry draftSupplemental draftWaiver draftAll-Star GameStanley Cup playoffsStanley Cup Finals