[j-monster]

Respect.

It's what NHL Players Association president Trevor Linden hoped to be afforded from his peers and the public during an often-bitter lockout that has tested the mettle of the veteran Vancouver Canucks forward.

And according to a telephone poll of Greater Vancouver fans and non-fans of the NHL, conducted by Toronto-based COMPAS Research Inc., respect is exactly what Linden has received -- even though efforts to salvage the 2004-05 season may fail as early as today.

In the poll of 339 residents conducted by professional interviewers between Jan. 28 and Feb.2, respect for Linden has increased among 41 per cent of NHL die-hard fans, while 30 per cent of non-fans also say they respect him more.

hock: hock: cratch: cratch:

The weed on the Left Coast must be extra potent this week...