Shot down

Yesterday, Iain MacIntyre delivered the Vancouver Sun’s petition to allow Roberto Luongo to wear the ‘C’. Unfortunately, the response was as was probably expected:

Daly was impressed by the passion of Canuck fans, but unmoved. The rule stands. He said Canuck general manager Mike Gillis raised the captaincy question at GM meetings last month, but there wasn’t strong sentiment either way.

In case you’re wondering, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was a little busy Tuesday morning. Bettman had his three-year-old nephew in his office, where there is a Stanley Cup made of Lego, because the boy’s mom was delivering him a baby brother or sister.

“Generally, when there’s not a strong sentiment one way or another, why change the rule?” Daly said. “There are actually logistical issues around it.

“It primarily has to do with … the position of the goaltender on the ice and his ability to engage the referee in conversations … [and] the distractions and delays it could cause in the game.”

Daly said Durnan caused “issues” and that the NHL has no problem with the Canucks calling Luongo their captain, as long as he does not wear a C on his jersey or act as captain on the ice.

Yeah whatever.

It doesn’t mean we stop trying. I mean, maybe if Canucks fans can get “Vote for Rory”-style support, this could really gain some steam. I think it’s time to show the NHL offices just how strong the sentiment is, at least in this NHL city.