Naslund to have number retired by Canucks

Hockey Betting Lines

07/08/2010 - Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund will have his number 19 raised to the rafters by the club on December 11.

The announcement came late Wednesday that Naslund, who played in Vancouver from 1996 until the end of the 2007-08 season, will become just the third player in franchise history to be honored.

Only Stan Smyl (1978-91) and Trevor Linden (1988-98; 2001-08) have had their jerseys lifted to the rafters previously.

"It's going to be special and neat to have a chance to come back to the arena and I'm sure there will be a lot of memories going through my head. I'll be nervous, too, but I'm really looking forward to it," Naslund admitted. "It's definitely a great honor and I'm very humbled and thankful to [general manager] Mike Gillis and the Aquilini family and the whole organization."

Naslund came to the Canucks in what was then a minor deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for little-used player Alek Stojanov in March, 1996.

He stayed until signing a free-agent deal with the New York Rangers in July, 2008 and compiled a franchise-best 346 goals with 756 points in 884 games in Vancouver, while serving as team captain for his final eight seasons as a Canuck.

The 36-year-old native of Ornskoldsvik, Sweden enjoyed his finest NHL season in 2002-03, breaking out for 48 goals and 104 points in 82 games. He was runner-up in the voting for the Hart Trophy as league MVP to Peter Forsberg of Colorado -- who grew up in the same town as Naslund.

Naslund's tenure in Vancouver built on previous successes by Swedish players like center Patrik Sundstrom and winger Thomas Gradin, and paved the way for the success of players such as defensemen Sami Salo and Mattias Ohlund, as well as the Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik.

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Terrell Owens could return for Cowboys next game
A bye week will allow Terrell Owens broken hand to recover just in time for the next game the Dallas Cowboys are slated to play, according to reports. MySportsbook.com, an football sportsbook, has posted football betting lines on TO playing.

Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger Sunday night and had a plate surgically attached to it Monday. Although Owens' hand was swollen and aching Wednesday, Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said he's optimistic the receiver will be back at work next week and catching passes a week from Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

MySportsbook.com online sportsbook listed Terrell Owens with odds of 7-2 (or $7 paid out for every $2 bet) to return back for the game against Tennessee.

"I certainly wouldn't rule it out now," Parcells said, referring to Terrell Owens immediate return. "Maybe five days from now I might, but I wouldn't rule it out now. ... I know we're looking to try to get him moving around pretty good in the next day or so. So we'll see where we are."

Owens did not speak with reporters Wednesday, but said Sunday he'd be out two to four weeks. A return against the Titans would be 13 days after the surgery. The Cowboys were listed as an early -7 1/2 favorite vs. the Tennessee Titans for Week 4 at MySportsbook.com

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