I like the depth in our organization much better today than I did yesterday!! These are the kids I'm excited about following.

Jensen
Horvat
Shinkaruk
Virtanen
McCann
Demko
Cassels
Forsling
Hutton
- LeftCoaster

I thought Benning played the hand dealt to him well and did well on his first 3 picks.

Benning for Nonis?

Haven't the slightest clue... My brain is stuck in NFL mode when it comes to cap, structure & value. The Toews & Kane rumor ($12 mill per each) from the other day blew my mind & I don't know what to think anymore.
- DrChristianTroy

They both can't get 12 . Big mistake . Players usually peak for 5 years (15 minutes of fame theory) . I would love to see them both sign for that because in another three years the franchise would be financially crippled and one less team to worry about.

Kay (frank) it... They won't do it anyway, so here's what I'd do... Sign Moulson, Bolland, Ott & Downie.

Sedin Sedin Downie/Burrows
Moulson Bonino Kassian (North/South offense)
Ott Bolland Burrows/Downie (NASTY shut down line that can chip in offensively)
Richardson Matthias Dorsett (4th line you can roll w/ no worries)

Edler Tanev (develop chemistry 5 on 5 & stay together on 1st unit PP)
Sbisa Bieksa (plays with Bolland line - look the (frank) out)
Hamhuis Corrado (Hammer plays with the kid 5 on 5 & is a PK workhorse)
Stanton
- DrChristianTroy

That would be wicked, the only problem I foresee is getting Bolland to agree to reasonable $ and term.

Half a beer in already landed 2 trout. Sunshine and a couple good days of hockey. Life is good. Still disappointed with the draft a little but all in all still pretty good.
- thundachunk

Goalies are such a toss up. We all knew it was Virtanen at 6 and hopefully McCann falling is a good thing for us. I like the pickup of Vey. Honestly, Benning will reshape the staff throughout the next year or so and we'll have a revamped scouting department changing our drafting (hopefully). It really can't get any worse than it has been the last 10 years...
I feel okay about the draft. Could have gone more flashy. What I really like is Trade Jim! Holy the guy just says time to make some moves, clear some cap space and tell a couple NTC guys to get the (frank) out.
What a beauty. Hopefully nabbing a couple of willie D's guys will turn out. Heres hoping to Pete Carol 2.0

That would be wicked, the only problem I foresee is getting Bolland to agree to reasonable $ and term.
- PetrolSexual

He is a 3 year 4 mil player at the new inflated salaries . Why would you not just go to a younger player with more size and say hey kid we need you to play like a wiener

I thought Benning played the hand dealt to him well and did well on his first 3 picks.

Benning for Nonis?
- Tumbleweed

Thanks, but no thanks. We've had nonuts once before and we like our Trader Jim. Also, while we're on the subject, where ya at this weekend #boldmoves McTavish?

Kay (frank) it... They won't do it anyway, so here's what I'd do... Sign Moulson, Bolland, Ott & Downie.

Sedin Sedin Downie/Burrows
Moulson Bonino Kassian (North/South offense)
Ott Bolland Burrows/Downie (NASTY shut down line that can chip in offensively)
Richardson Matthias Dorsett (4th line you can roll w/ no worries)

Edler Tanev (develop chemistry 5 on 5 & stay together on 1st unit PP)
Sbisa Bieksa (plays with Bolland line - look the (frank) out)
Hamhuis Corrado (Hammer plays with the kid 5 on 5 & is a PK workhorse)
Stanton
- DrChristianTroy

I would like to see Benning continue to change the locker room. Start acquiring 2015 picks or quality prospects that are almost ready to contribute at the NHL level. Send out Hansen, Burrows and Higgins and I'd move Bieksa out east if the return was worth it. I'm on the fence with Matthias, someone would have to move to wing if he stays, Richardson I guess.

That leaves:

Sedin / Sedin / Jensen
X / X / Kassian
X / Bonino / X
X / Richardson / Dorsett

Hamhuis
Edler
Tanev
Stanton
Corrado
Sbisa

Need another right hand D if Bieksa is traded.

I would sign a 2nd C to a one year deal. Someone like Brad Richards who just got bought out and will need to prove he's worth another contract to someone. It will simply be a chance for him to prove it. $ wouldn't be important for Canucks, only term. I'd also think about Ryan Miller for 1 year. I'd be happy with Downie and/or Ott as well, but it would likely cost you 3 or more years to sign these guys. Then I would let young players from the farm / junior fight for a spot on the team. I think that signing a couple guys like this would signal to the season ticket base that they still want to make the playoffs, but short deals means they're also changing for the future.

I'm not sold on Bolland. I don't believe he has enough offence in him to play anywhere other than the bottom half of the lineup and I am not confident that Bonino is ready to play second line minutes.

He is a 3 year 4 mil player at the new inflated salaries . Why would you not just go to a younger player with more size and say hey kid we need you to play like a wiener
- VANTEL

Don't worry, Nonis will give him +$4.5m and +5 years. Won't be your problem.

I would like to see Benning continue to change the locker room. Start acquiring 2015 picks or quality prospects that are almost ready to contribute at the NHL level. Send out Hansen, Burrows and Higgins and I'd move Bieksa out east if the return was worth it. I'm on the fence with Matthias, someone would have to move to wing if he stays, Richardson I guess.

That leaves:

Sedin / Sedin / Jensen
X / X / Kassian
X / Bonino / X
X / Richardson / Dorsett

Hamhuis
Edler
Tanev
Stanton
Corrado
Sbisa

Need another right hand D if Bieksa is traded.

I would sign a 2nd C to a one year deal. Someone like Brad Richards who just got bought out and will need to prove he's worth another contract to someone. It will simply be a chance for him to prove it. $ wouldn't be important for Canucks, only term. I'd also think about Ryan Miller for 1 year. I'd be happy with Downie and/or Ott as well, but it would likely cost you 3 or more years to sign these guys. Then I would let young players from the farm / junior fight for a spot on the team. I think that signing a couple guys like this would signal to the season ticket base that they still want to make the playoffs, but short deals means they're also changing for the future.

I'm not sold on Bolland. I don't believe he has enough offence in him to play anywhere other than the bottom half of the lineup and I am not confident that Bonino is ready to play second line minutes.
- 1970vintage

Some good points Vintage.

Taking Bolland is nuts . What he wants to be paid and for the length is way too wild for me ,especially when we have one of the best in the league to play that type of hockey with Alex Burrows. Just give him a definite direction.

Richards would be interesting at 3.5 for two years seeing he is being paid by NY. I don't think we are a SCF team so he could hold fort until Horvat and McCann are ready

I think Miller would want long term not a one year deal. You could probably get him 6 mil per 4 years.

Don't worry, Nonis will give him +$4.5m and +5 years. Won't be your problem.
- Tumbleweed

cool

Hi,

New blog is up, looking at Saturday's acquisitions including Linden Vey.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=60987

Will Benning make more move between now and free agency on Tuesday?

Some good points Vintage.

Taking Bolland is nuts . What he wants to be paid and for the length is way too wild for me ,especially when we have one of the best in the league to play that type of hockey with Alex Burrows. Just give him a definite direction.

Richards would be interesting at 3.5 for two years seeing he is being paid by NY. I don't think we are a SCF team so he could hold fort until Horvat and McCann are ready

I think Miller would want long term not a one year deal. You could probably get him 6 mil per 4 years.
- VANTEL

Because of the amount of cap space, I would be willing to overpay those guys, but only for 1 year.

I thought Benning played the hand dealt to him well and did well on his first 3 picks.

Benning for Nonis?
- Tumbleweed

No deal!!

Some good points Vintage.

Taking Bolland is nuts . What he wants to be paid and for the length is way too wild for me ,especially when we have one of the best in the league to play that type of hockey with Alex Burrows. Just give him a definite direction.

Richards would be interesting at 3.5 for two years seeing he is being paid by NY. I don't think we are a SCF team so he could hold fort until Horvat and McCann are ready

I think Miller would want long term not a one year deal. You could probably get him 6 mil per 4 years.
- VANTEL

Disagree. In order to compete in this conference we'll need the most epic shutdown/agitation line of all time. Bolland's worth it for that & Horvat/Gaunce/McCann mentorship alone

Kay (frank) it... They won't do it anyway, so here's what I'd do... Sign Moulson, Bolland, Ott & Downie.

Sedin Sedin Downie/Burrows
Moulson Bonino Kassian (North/South offense)
Ott Bolland Burrows/Downie (NASTY shut down line that can chip in offensively)
Richardson Matthias Dorsett (4th line you can roll w/ no worries)

Edler Tanev (develop chemistry 5 on 5 & stay together on 1st unit PP)
Sbisa Bieksa (plays with Bolland line - look the (frank) out)
Hamhuis Corrado (Hammer plays with the kid 5 on 5 & is a PK workhorse)
Stanton
- DrChristianTroy

I'm in, but dies Moulson have the wheels for a North/South line? The term and money he and Bolland will demand scares me.

Disagree. In order to compete in this conference we'll need the most epic shutdown/agitation line of all time. Bolland's worth it for that & Horvat/Gaunce/McCann mentorship alone
- DrChristianTroy

Is he worth a 5x5 contract though? Hell naw. Especially with his concussion problems and weak possession numbers.

I'm not an Anaheim Duck fan so I could care less. I'm looking ahead not worrying about old news. Have fun at your origami workshop this weekend.
- Marwood

I like Benning's logic in trading Kesler to ANA. He had a locker room cancer who can't keep his pecker in his pants; why not inject that into a divsion rivals locker room and see what happens. I can see him and Perry locking horns; I'm sure they don't like each since they have been competing against each other for over a decade.

I like the depth in our organization much better today than I did yesterday!! These are the kids I'm excited about following.

Jensen
Horvat
Shinkaruk
Virtanen
McCann
Demko
Cassels
Forsling
Hutton
- LeftCoaster

I'd throw Gaunce in there. I think he's going tok round into a solid 3rd line winger. Big body with a bit of scoring....see Dwight King......