But this remains a complicated, layered and sensitive, topic and one that was pulled to the top of the flagpole.

I did try to hash things out with the Captain, but was left standing lonely in the middle of an empty hallway, dismissed with an exaggerated wave of the hand that swept through the air from one shoulder, across the face, to the other shoulder, and to full arm extension.

Later!

As the Captain backed away, waving me off, I did ask him about the alleged column I wrote where I apparently suggested Sami Salo was worthy of Hart consideration.

He said it was the “Cam Cole Thing.”

I thought this was a bit wild because the “Cam Cole Thing” was literally a decade ago, and before the Boat Captain had even arrived, blessing our city.

I’ve never talked to the Captain about the “Cam Cole Thing” and it’s a little amazing that this is a story which has seemingly become legendary among Vancouver media’s inner circle.

Here is the “Cam Cole thing.”

It’s the 2007-08 season. Salo is playing really well and is meeting his agent to discuss their plans for the pending contract negotiations.

I wrote this:

“DALLAS — Early this season, Salo is establishing himself as the Canucks’ best overall defenceman. With seven points in eight games, a silky smooth transition game and top marks as the power play’s trigger man, he looks like a player who has taken his game to the next level.

He may even draw consideration as the team’s MVP.”

That last line was the contentious one. Who knew?

That season, by the way, was peak Salo. He put up 14 goals and 37 points, numbers I don’t think he ever approached after. Willie Mitchell ended up winning the award as the team’s best dman.

Pretty clearly, Salo was robbed.

The next day, after my Salo story ran, Cam wrote this:

“Seriously, now. We didn’t actually pick up a local newspaper (naming no names) Monday morning and read — all over the cover, no less — that defenceman Sami Salo is having an MVP-type season and that the Canucks may not be able to afford to sign him next year, did we?

The season started, what, 10 minutes ago? Do they pick MVPs before Halloween now? When did that announcement come out? Isn’t there a cut-off date before which worrying about next year’s payroll is disallowed on the grounds of absurdity?”

Seemed a bit over the top .. no?

Alas, fired right up, I started an email exchange with Cam that went about exactly the same way my twitter back and forth with the Boat Captain went two weeks ago.

Not good.

If I only knew that a decade later THIS would become the day I pronounced Salo a Hart Trophy candidate.

If I only knew the “Cam Cole Thing” would be passed on from one generation of Vancouver’s inner media circle to the next.

I would have have probably shut my mouth and let it drift away into the sweet good night.

Oh wait, no I wouldn’t.

BEST LOL

BEST CLOSING