Starting off today, Iain MacIntyre has a wide-ranging interview with Jim Benning in the
Vancouver Sun.
Click here for the full story.
Benning was in Utica to watch Game 7 against Oklahoma City on Wednesday, and it sounds like he'll stick around as the next series against Grand Rapids begins.
Here are the key points, addressing some of the personnel questions that continue to swirl around the Canucks.
• on Jake Virtanen's performance in the last two games:
He’s going to bring us speed and physicality (in the NHL). He was getting in on the forecheck and being physical. And when you watch him in practice, the thing you really notice about him is he can shoot the puck. He’s got a fast release and it’s a hard shot.
Jake still has work to do — he has to get in better shape. But he has the physical skills and the strength. It’s going to be up to him what kind of summer he has.
• on the other prospects who are showing well:
Hunter Shinkaruk had a good game last night. Over the year, he has gotten physically stronger. And Alex Grenier, over the course of the year, has improved quite a lot. He’s a big kid and can handle the puck. Brendan Gaunce has gotten better.
• on the challenges facing Nicklas Jensen:
He’s in danger of falling in between (roles). He’s not the natural goal-scorer to play in the top six, and he has to round out his game better to play in the bottom six. The details in his game have to improve. To help us win, he’s going to have to be a Jannik Hansen-type player.
• on Jacob Markstrom and the goaltending conundrum:
That’s part of why I’m down here now — to get a good look at Jacob Markstrom and see where he fits in. That’s what I’m trying to figure out right now. He showed me a lot last night, playing a real good game (35-save shutout) in a high-pressure situation.
Benning also says that the management group has not yet discussed whether to ask any Canucks to waive a no-trade clause, but the topic will be addressed in the next couple of weeks. He acknowledges that such a move could be possible—either before the draft in an attempt to "recover a pick" (his words) or later in the summer to make a hockey trade.
When asked about the Comets not playing Jared McCann so far, Benning reiterates that the most important thing is developing the kids in a winning environment. He doesn't rule out the idea that McCann might still see some playing time in these playoffs but ultimately infers that lineup decisions belong to Utica head coach Travis Green.
Sizing Up the Griffins
Utica's next opponent is the Grand Rapids Griffins—farm team of the Detroit Red Wings, who are known for their prospect depth.
We talked yesterday about left wing Teemu Pulkkinen, the 23-year-old Finn who sits near the top of the AHL playoff scoring race. He's in his second season in North America but his third AHL playoffs and seems like he's just starting to find his way on this side of the Atlantic.
The surprise for Grand Rapids so far in these playoffs has been 20-year-old Tyler Bertuzzi, who has six goals in eight games since being called up from junior after his Guelph Storm were eliminated from the OHL playoffs. Unlike his uncle Todd, he's not the biggest player at 6'0" and 178 pounds, but he does play with the trademark Bertuzzi edge.
Click here for more on Bertuzzi, from Peter J. Wallner at MLive.
The Griffins have just added some firepower to their lineup in the form of Dylan Larkin, an 18-year-old centre who was picked 15th overall last season. Larkin is a product of the US National Development program and was part of the bronze medal-winning American team at the world championships in Prague, but posted just one assist in 10 games.
Also worth noting—the Griffins are coached by Jeff Blashill, who could very well be Mike Babcock's successor with the Red Wings. He has been with the organization for four years and coached the Griffins for three seasons, including a Calder Cup win in 2012-13.
Game 1 of the Comets/Griffins Western Conference Final goes Sunday in Utica.
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