Page "Markus Näslund" Paragraph 36

For a franchise-record seventh consecutive season, he led the Canucks in scoring, with 32 goals and 79 points.

Despite new NHL rules set in place after the lockout that sought to allow skilled players such as Näslund and his linemates to thrive, all three members of the Canucks ' top line saw decreased offensive production in 2005 – 06.

Furthermore, the Canucks failed to make the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, finishing at ninth place in the Western Conference, despite early-season projections to be Stanley Cup contenders.

Consequently, significant changes to the Canucks ' personnel were made in the off-season.

Of particular significance to Näslund, longtime linemate Bertuzzi was traded to the Florida Panthers in exchange for goaltender Roberto Luongo, while Alain Vigneault replaced Marc Crawford with a more defensive-minded coaching approach.

Crawford later recalled the 2005 – 06 season as a turning point in Näslund's role as the offensive leader on the team, noting that Henrik and Daniel Sedin had surpassed him and Bertuzzi in that respect as the campaign progressed.