A lot parallels to the fans attitudes now and then too. After losing in the first round to the AV's in '96 it was clear that the team peaked in '94. That was their last hurrah. Bure wasn't happy, people in the city started to question Linden's leadership, and what he had left in the tank. The fans and media at that time turned on that team. On that core that is now legend. People mock the Messier deal now, but at the time it's what everyone wanted. A real captain. Everyone wanted that whole team gone, and they got their wish. And it was brutal hockey to watch for years.