[VIDEO] Pavel Bure: Unbelievable, The Lost Shifts 4 (A Case Study of Bure's Dominance and Two-Way Play in Vancouver)

[Guest]

This is a continuation of WeatherWise's "Lost Shifts" video series, documenting and analyzing the style of play of Pavel Bure. This is the fourth video in the series, released in August 2014.

Over the past two years, a positive reformation has occurred with regard to how Pavel Bure's style of play is viewed. After many discussions and much analysis of Pavel's game through video footage and testimonial evidence, we have reached the conclusion that Bure before and after his injuries can be separated into two distinct categories. Prior to our exploration of Pavel's game beginning in 2012, the misconception that Bure was a so-called "cherry-picker" was common among observers, particularly due to memories of his time as a Florida Panther.

For a variety of reasons, including the more widespread availability of games on television in the late 1990s as opposed to the early 90s, and due to the change of scenery, Pavel received a much greater audience as a Florida Panther and was thus profiled for the type of game he played there. This was not the way he played in Vancouver, though. What need to be taken into account when understanding the changes to his game as a Panther are several factors. By that point, Pavel had already required two major knee surgeries due to the lasting effects from his career-threatening knee injury in November 1995. He had lost much of his mobility, and for other reasons that may be explored at a later date, including potentially coaching, his game took a drastic turn.

Regarding his time in Vancouver, less could actually be recalled about the player than people claimed. Only vague ideas about his offensive abilities could be articulated; generally speaking, knowledge of the dimensions and nuances in his game were seemingly lost. Unfortunately, this translated into a very inaccurate understanding about what kind of game he played as a Canuck. Since 2012 and the discussions we have had, we have finally recognized that Pavel in Vancouver was completely different from Pavel in Florida.

While my previous videos have provided an in-depth look at the various aspects of Pavel's game through a juxtaposition of plays from a random selection of three games each to highlight his tendencies and the consistency of these plays, my approach to this video was different. I decided to focus instead here on one entire game to make sure every shift Bure took from a match could be seen. Further, this particular game was chosen primarily because of its significance as an historic match with no relation to Pavel at all. He just happened to be on the ice that night. I did not want to crop anything out of this video due to the high camera angle, so as opposed to my previous videos, this one features the game in 4:3 dimensions with side panels.

The match featured here is the game in which Wayne Gretzky scored his 802nd career goal, played on March 23, 1994. This video features that game from the perspective of Pavel Bure.

Bure in Vancouver was someone who was relied on by his team to be a major defensive and offensive contributor. Under Pat Quinn's coaching, Pavel abode by his team's philosophy and was a committed player in all three zones of the ice. He played in all situations, from penalty killing to even strength to the powerplay. Prior to his 1995 injury (I have called Bure in this state "pre-injury Pavel"), he was one of the most complete skaters in the league: in 1993, he was recognized by NHL coaches in Bob McKenzie's yearly poll as the league's best skater for not only his speed and acceleration, but also his agility. He anticipated where the puck would be and always assessed the play when he was on the ice, reacting in accordance. He frequently started offensive plays in his own zone, and his hockey IQ was very good. For those who have not yet seen my previous videos documenting and explaining these nuances, they can be found in the links at the end of this post. Below is an excerpt from my explanation of his game in a previous thread:

http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/showthread.php?t=1320299

...

He anticipated where the puck would be in all zones of the ice, and using his speed and natural skating ability frequently positioned himself to intercept passes, cut off the opposition’s lanes, or reach the puck before the opponent could. In mere moments, he could position himself effectively to make a difference for the Canucks. In many of the clips, he is matched against other top players such as Doug Gilmour, Wendel Clark, Phil Housley, Jarri Kurri, and even Wayne Gretzky, and it is he who draws potential penalties from them as in Housley’s case, frustrates them as in Gilmour’s case, or tracks them down defensively and generates a subsequent scoring chance of his own.

Due to his tendency to begin plays in his own zone, he was quite focused on retrieving pucks via strong defensive play, then winding up for an attack at breakneck speeds. As much as some would like to call him a “cherry picker,” his signature play was the end-to-end rush. The excitement from fans was almost always generated whenever he touched the puck in the defensive zone, as once he began to skate, he became incredibly difficult to contain.

Pavel’s anticipation in all three zones of the ice made him a threat to the opposition at all times, and his agility, speed, and acceleration allowed him to attain ideal positioning very quickly. He always had his head on a swivel in order to read his situation, and would react accordingly. He could elude players with the puck, pick up loose pucks to keep his own team’s plays alive and to cut short the opponent’s, and was always a threat to overwhelm the opponent with his combined skating ability and apt stick work. As a player hailing from the Soviet Union’s hockey program and adopting their complete team philosophy, Pavel was equipped with a great understanding of his role on the team, especially defensively, and what was required for success.

Pavel desired nothing greater than for his team to succeed, and throughout his first few years with the Canucks was tremendously passionate about the game and about his teammates. He played for them, and was a kid whose presence his teammates appreciated. One may speculate that the dark and painful relationship he had with team management might have tempered his love of the game by the time he left Vancouver in 1999, but prior to that he would stop at nothing to help his team.

The reputation that has developed for Pavel over the past decade has been an unsatisfactory and unjust one, to say the least. In Scott Morrison’s 2010 book, “Best of the Best: Ranking the Greatest Players of All Time,” Pavel is described as one who would “drift around without interest or purpose, then suddenly turn on the jets…” while E.J. Hradek in 2012 called Bure “more of an offensive guy [who] didn’t maybe come back into his zone.” Pavel’s reputation, especially regarding his time in Vancouver (a majority of his career), has been decimated by misnomers, “revisionist history,” and perhaps a lack of media coverage, televised games, or general access to them in his days with Vancouver.

...

Everyone recalls the March 23, 1994 game for its importance to the entire sport and for a particular moment. Nobody recalls anything Pavel Bure did in that game. For him it was just another regular season match late in the 1993-94 campaign, although it was also an opportunity for him to score his 50th goal of the season. The fact that so few people recognize that Pavel's game is perfectly preserved in this match, albeit overshadowed by Gretzky's moment, suggests there is a reason Pavel's style of play as a Canuck has been forgotten -- few people watch old footage of Bure. I encourage people wanting to know more about Bure in Vancouver simply to watch old games featuring him. The games really speak for themselves.

Pavel played a very good game that night. In fact, he finished the 1993-94 season with 49 goals in the final 51 games; this was just one game in a lengthy stretch of tremendous matches for him. We see that he played with Gino Odjick and Murray Craven that night, as he did for the entire year. Although Pavel attempts to make plays with both players, they simply are not on his level. The level of play demonstrated in this game playing with those two makes one wonder how he would have performed playing with more talented linemates. In the final 47 games of the season, he contributed points to 46.45% of the entire team's goals and scored 29% of them.

This is an extended look at Pavel Bure prior to his 1995 knee injury; it is a look at a player who many always heard of and saw in highlight packages but could not always see first-hand. This is the Pavel Bure who played for Vancouver, who lit up the province of British Columbia with his play.

If you have not seen the previous three videos in the series, "Pavel Bure: The Lost Shifts," "Pavel Bure: Fearless, The Lost Shifts 2," and "Pavel Bure: Anticipation, The Lost Shifts 3," you can find them here:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt5YW_GqO1c
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOCMPsv_5sQ
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-UARpq7ATU

Also, a side-project featuring Pavel Bure's playoff performance against the Dallas Stars in 1994, titled "Pavel Bure: Relentless, The Lost Series" can be found here:

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkQHaP9NoNE

[TOMapleLaughs]

A player like him always looks like an island because he's so damn good. Everyone else in slow motion. Mario Lemieux was the same way. These players are a true rarity and we were fortunate to have one.

Right now i'd say there isn't a player at this level in the league. With Sid's injury and recent playoff vanishing act, there's some concern there. Geno is great in flashes, but not quite as consistent. OV was great to start, but has faded somewhat and isn't quite as exciting anymore. Kane is kinda like Kessel. And Toews is more a two-way star than an ultra-scorer. Stamkos isn't quite there to me either. But i am remembering those HOF guys at their peak, so it's a bit unfair.

[JeremyCuddles]

I feel like I was born in the wrong generation. Gosh I wish I could've seen Bure play live just once. You know you're pretty special when you put up 11 shots and the announcer is bummed you only scored once, Lol.

And when you have a HoF career and your most notable line mate was Gino. I love Gino but he's not exactly a scoring machine like Super Mario or Gretzky's line mates.

[smithers joe]

great player, lousy team player...if you put bure and larinov together as the same person, you'ld have a truly

great player....larinov from as far away from selfish as bure was pure selfish....i'ld rather have larinov...i've

never liked selfish players on my teams...

bure had a clause in his contract that would pay him an extra million if he scored 50 goals...keenan was playing him every second shift.....the team was being beaten badly, 7 to 1 at the time...bure scored to hit 50 goals....does anyone have the video of his goal celebration?....you would have the team had just won the stanley cup...

if we had a team of stan smyl's, we would have won the cup....he had the heart of a much bigger man....

[terrible.dee]

I feel like I was born in the wrong generation. Gosh I wish I could've seen Bure play live just once. You know you're pretty special when you put up 11 shots and the announcer is bummed you only scored once, Lol.

And when you have a HoF career and your most notable line mate was Gino. I love Gino but he's not exactly a scoring machine like Super Mario or Gretzky's line mates.

I have to admit, it was pretty awesome to be a fan during Bure's prime,

I was young and new to the game and assumed we we would always have a Bure type player around, I was wrong. Had no idea what a "Generational talent" was.

However, be grateful you've been able to watch the Sedin's, in their own way they have been just as incredible to watch. Great guys off the ice too.

As much as we complain about our teams lack of success, we have been treated to some excellent players over the years.

Actually, let me put it this way, some :"Entertaining" players. Bure and the Sendin's would give you your money's worth.

Don't look for another Bure though, in today's homogenized "System first" NHL where every player is expected to play the same, there would be no room for him.

If Bure played today, he would be benched and called "Selfish"

[TOMapleLaughs]

great player, lousy team player...if you put bure and larinov together as the same person, you'ld have a truly

great player....larinov from as far away from selfish as bure was pure selfish....i'ld rather have larinov...i've

never liked selfish players on my teams...

bure had a clause in his contract that would pay him an extra million if he scored 50 goals...keenan was playing him every second shift.....the team was being beaten badly, 7 to 1 at the time...bure scored to hit 50 goals....does anyone have the video of his goal celebration?....you would have the team had just won the stanley cup...

if we had a team of stan smyl's, we would have won the cup....he had the heart of a much bigger man....

I hear what you're saying, but a lot of the true superstars were selfish. Just watching those youtubes it was clear that he was on another level from not only his teammates, but pretty much everyone on the ice.

Loved Larionov when he was here though. Should have never let him go, imho.

[terrible.dee]

How about Dana Murzyn?????!!!!

In the first 5 minuets, he sneaks in from the point and rips a great pass from Craven on goal then he breaks up that Gretzky drop pass at the other end!!!

Murzyn, Ring of Honor!!!!!

Get on it Trev!

[RWMc1]

Wow!! Some clips from a few games and Bure as a selfish player is debunked. Did you actually watch him play?? I'm sure you could make a much longer clip of Bure floating around and shooting from ridiculous angles rather than pass to a wide open linemate. Much, much longer!!!

He was a very skilled player, granted. Trying to suggest that Bure was a complete two-way player is a huge leap. Sorry, but it is just not true.

[canuktravella]

we were spoiled with his talent

[terrible.dee]

The thing that strikes me most when watching this isn't the shots and rushes Bure is remembered for.

The thing I notice is how he is constantly transitioning the team from the defensive zone to the offensive zone. He blows though the neutral zone like it's not even there.

Players who can transition the puck are worth their weight in gold, whether they score or not (Hence the whole "Puck moving D" craze)

That was what Kesler used to do for us. He was accused of being selfish when in fact he was making sure we gained the offensive zone.

And also why so many of us were looking for skill and speed in the last draft, as opposed to a straight "Goal scorer"

To anyone who has actually watched Virtanen play in junior, I know he is fast, but how is his transition game? Does he use his size to get the puck and then move it up ice? Or does he wait by the blue line for passes?

[terrible.dee]

double post.

[TOMapleLaughs]

Was he on the ice for Gretzky's 802? If so when abouts on the video?

[terrible.dee]

I suppose you've misunderstood the premise of the video. It captures every shift from that particular game.

I've already documented a plethora of footage; perhaps, as smithers joe seemed to do, you misrecall the type of game he played. Watch a few games to refresh your memory.

Here is a previous video featuring footage from three games to corroborate the tendencies shown in the video featured in the OP. This video takes footage from three games.

Bure was one of the Canucks' go-to penalty killers. In 1993, he was recognized in Bob McKenzie's NHL coaches poll for his hockey IQ and penalty killing ability:

C'mon man,

We all know Bure could play it any way he wanted to, but often he would wait by the redline for the pass while his teammates dug the puck out 4 on 5 in the defensive zone.

That and the long shifts were where he earned the"selfish" tag,

I actually don't hold those things against him, and think that often they were the right play, but surly you can see why other would label him selfish, it's not hard to see that point of view, even if you don't agree?

[terrible.dee]

I hear what you're saying, but a lot of the true superstars were selfish. Just watching those youtubes it was clear that he was on another level from not only his teammates, but pretty much everyone on the ice.

Loved Larionov when he was here though. Should have never let him go, imho.

I miss the days when superstars were allowed to be selfish!

The whole "everyone MUST play the system" mantra (Which began with the Devils win in 95') has damaged the entertainment value of NHL hockey.

Young fans don't realize, hockey used to be a much more entertaining game.

Prior to 95' the game was just WILD!

[LuonGO Canucks Go]

ONLY if he had linemates of #99 and #66

edit: nothing against Gino

[TOMapleLaughs]

Watching it now. The guy was just on for a 2min shift and was still beating everyone to the puck by the end of it. Damn rights a player should be 'selfish' if he can pull that off.

Wow, he picks off passes like nobody's business. Just converted one into multiple scoring chances.

I don't see much floating around at all. He's everywhere. Esp. later in the game. If anything he's pressuring the puck carrier, whoever it is, a bit too much. Not of this OV 'disconnected controller' stuff.

To answer my own question, no he wasn't on the ice for Gretzky's 802. The Courtnall line was, bagged at the end of their shift. How much ya wanna bet Bure would've been on him late in the shift?

It's nice watching superstars in their prime. Gives a bit of perspective on what we're watching recently.

[RWMc1]

I suppose you've misunderstood the premise of the video. It captures every shift from that particular game.

I've already documented a plethora of footage; perhaps, as smithers joe seemed to do, you misrecall the type of game he played. Watch a few games to refresh your memory.

Here is a previous video featuring footage from three games to corroborate the tendencies shown in the video featured in the OP. This video takes footage from three games.

Bure was one of the Canucks' go-to penalty killers. In 1993, he was recognized in Bob McKenzie's NHL coaches poll for his hockey IQ and penalty killing ability:

I do not misrecall anything. Bure was asked about back-ckecking and responded that his job was scoring. He was the most selfish player that this franchise ever had. He makes Kesler look like Sally-Anne. I've been a die-hard fan from day one, so don't presume what I remember is untrue while a few clips from a few games somehow proves otherwise. Bure split the room. Lindens two-way players against the Bure crowd. Linden was Captain. Team-players don't do that.

[terrible.dee]

In Vancouver, not so much. In Florida, yes. By that time, he was far less capable of playing the way he did in his earlier days.

Pavel liked to start rushes from his own zone. I was fortunate enough to watch many games live and in-person in the 1990s, and I have revisited a ton of footage in analyzing his game again. He was smart enough to know it was easier to take the puck up the ice himself than wait for Craven or Adams to lob the puck at him.

Take a look at this goal, for instance. He knew he could just skate up the ice with the puck in about as much time as it took for someone else to spot him. He was known for going end-to-end with the puck quite regularly. His ability to maintain top speed while turning allowed him to curl around players in the neutral zone most of the time.

Larionov had the highest goal totals of his NHL career playing with Pavel in 1991-92. Gino scored 16 goals in 1993-94, when in most years he would score 4 or 5. As mentioned, in the second half of the 1993-94 season Pavel had a point in 46.45% of all of the team's goals.

His knee injury began to take its toll as he arrived in Florida. He needed a second knee surgery weeks after arriving there. After that, his game morphed into something that required less skating. Moving become a lot more difficult for him; his strides did not seem as powerful or effortless anymore.

I watched all the Bure stuff as well, saw him live many times. But I have not dissected the footage as you have so I'll defer to your interpretation of it.

However, it doesn't sound like we disagree all that much. In an earlier post I stated Bure's greatest strength was his ability to transition the puck, and I agree, in most cases he could do it better then what the coaching system dictated. So actually, we DO agree.

I was just saying that it's not hard to see why other's might call him selfish, even if he was making the right play for team, it just LOOKED selfish.

We had another player recently who used to do the same thing, drive possession up ice all by himself. The fans called him selfish as well.

Is there anyone on our roster today who can do what Bure and Kesler did? (only comparing Bure and Kesler in that one respect)

[TOMapleLaughs]

I watched all the Bure stuff as well, saw him live many times. But I have not dissected the footage as you have so I'll defer to your interpretation of it.

However, it doesn't sound like we disagree all that much. In an earlier post I stated Bure's greatest strength was his ability to transition the puck, and I agree, in most cases he could do it better then what the coaching system dictated. So actually, we DO agree.

I was just saying that it's not hard to see why other's might call him selfish, even if he was making the right play for team, it just LOOKED selfish.

We had another player recently who used to do the same thing, drive possession up ice all by himself. The fans called him selfish as well.

Is there anyone on our roster today who can do what Bure and Kesler did? (only comparing Bure and Kesler in that one respect)

Give me ultra-skilled but selfish elite scorer any day over under-skilled, but good team player with 'heart'. This heart of gold underdog mentality hasn't gotten us anywhere in 40+ years.

Maybe we'd understand a bit more about that firewagon era, not to mention what kind of players are needed to win any year, if we were as spoiled as Oilers and Flames fans were in the 80's. Their teams full of 'all about me' star types who ultimately abandoned their franchise DOMINATED us.

[RWMc1]

Quinn frequently placed Bure out on the ice at the end of games to defend a lead. He was very conscious about defense and backchecking. You've provided no evidence to support any of your claims; there is a lot of evidence, meanwhile, revealing the kind of player Pavel was in Vancouver -- a very active player who played in all situations, worked hard, and positioned himself well using his skating ability and hockey sense. He was driven to succeed and help his team. His fitness level went beyond that of his teammates. You can deny what has been made available to you, but you'll look quite ignorant. You sound very bitter, much like those who were heartbroken when he left. You're trying to paint him as a villain, speaking in hyperbole like that.

Bure splitting the room is well-known. Not hyperbole.

Bure was asked about back-checking and did respond that it was not his job. Not hyperbole.

Bure being the most selfish Canuck ever is my opinion based on actually watching the games. I wasn't a hater and cheered just as loudly as anyone else. It is my belief that if Bure weren't so selfish, he could have had an even more spectacular career.

You're trying to paint him as a two-way team player. He wasn't!!!

Bitter, heartbroken, villain!!! Who's using hyperbole again??