Remember when Mark Messier left the Rangers in 1997?

I previously wrote about Mark Messier’s return to New York after leaving in the summer of 1997, but this time I wanted to flip the script and talk about the time Messier left the Rangers and signed with the Vancouver Canucks. It was a strange time for the Rangers and for Messier as the team and player brokered a messy exit from New York. Given his comments about the current team,

Mark Messier had expressed a strong desire to finish his career with the New York Rangers, but team president Dave Checketts had other plans. Despite Messier’s willingness to accept a one-year contract extension worth less than $6 million per season, the Rangers opted not to renew his deal. Checketts publicly stated the organization did not believe Messier was worth a three-year, $20 million commitment. This decision divided opinions, especially given Messier’s role in leading the Rangers to two first-place finishes and their iconic 1994 Stanley Cup victory.

General Manager Neil Smith seemed confident in his alternative plan, with Wayne Gretzky and Pat LaFontaine as the team’s top centers. Smith even came close to acquiring Joe Sakic from the Colorado Avalanche, signing him to an offer sheet in the summer of 1997. However, Colorado matched the offer, ensuring Sakic remained with the Avalanche for the rest of his career.

Meanwhile, Messier left the Rangers, signing a lucrative free-agent deal with the Vancouver Canucks at age 36. The Rangers’ decision to part ways with Messier quickly proved costly. LaFontaine suffered a career-ending concussion during the 1997-98 season, and Gretzky retired the following year, leaving the Rangers without their intended center depth. In hindsight, letting Messier walk became one of the more controversial decisions in franchise history.

The Vancouver Canucks of the mid-1990s had a solid foundation, featuring the electrifying Pavel Bure, steady captain Trevor Linden, and reliable No. 1 goaltender Kirk McLean. They also had promising young talent, but the team lacked the final push to become true contenders. After their magical 1994 Stanley Cup run fell short, management sought a bold move to elevate the franchise. Enter Mark Messier, one of the most decorated players in NHL history.

The Canucks made a massive financial commitment to sign Messier, hoping his leadership and championship pedigree would lead them to glory. However, things didn’t go as planned. In his first season, Messier played all 82 games, posting a modest 22 goals and 60 points. It was a letdown, particularly as the Canucks finished seventh in the Pacific Division.

The following season was even worse. Messier was limited to just 59 games due to injury, and the Canucks once again missed the playoffs. In his third and final season in Vancouver, Messier played 66 games and tallied 54 points, a slight improvement, but it wasn’t enough to salvage the team’s fortunes as they failed to reach the postseason for the third straight year.

Off the ice, things were equally turbulent. Messier’s tenure began on a controversial note when he insisted on being named captain, leading the organization to strip Trevor Linden of the role—a move that alienated fans and reportedly caused friction in the locker room. Rumors of strained relationships with teammates further fueled the narrative that Messier wasn’t a good fit for the team.

On the ice, Messier’s lack of defensive effort stood out. His negative plus-minus ratings in all three seasons highlighted his unwillingness to play a complete game, drawing criticism for what some viewed as a lack of commitment to the team.

Ultimately, Messier’s time in Vancouver is remembered as one of the franchise’s biggest missteps. The lofty expectations placed on him were never met, and his tenure left fans and analysts alike disappointed. After the 1999-2000 season, Messier returned to the New York Rangers, but he was far from the dominant player he had been during his first stint in Manhattan.

Here’s how it all looked on MSG SportsDesk.