Retire # 11

Over the past few days I've heard alot of talk about the Oilers retiring #11 for Mark Messier. A few people have brought up the point - should we retire it as well? After all, Messier did play three years with us. Three non productive, waste of 6 million a year years, but he still did play?

Personally, I think if the Canucks are going to retire # 11, It should be retired as Wayne Maki, not Mark Messier. It was originally retired as Wayne Maki. The Canucks organization retiring the number after Wayne Maki, a Vancouver Canuck at the time, was diagonesed with Brain Cancer December 14, 1972, and passed away May 1, 1974. The Canucks organization promised his family that no one else would wear his number.

Fast forward a few decades, and lo and behold Mark Messier, appears in a Canucks uniform with Wayne Maki's number. Talk about a slap in the face. As if Mark Messier's time here could start off on more sour of a note. Stealing Wayne' Maki's number, Stripping Linden of his 'C', It was a sign of things to come.

I was not impressed with Messier's contributions, while a member of the Canucks. I think that 'guy' was laughing all the way to the bank when he got paid. Where was the 'great' leader we had heard so much about. More like he turned out to be the 'great dismantler'.

So, if the number 11 has to be retired - it should be re retired as #11 Wayne Maki.