Lets be very clear about one thing. This so called 'franchise overhaul' that everyone is talking about would NOT be happening if it were up to the Canucks brass.
Benning has made it a little too clear that he would have 'loved' to see Kesler remain. So if Benning had his way, Kesler would still be here and the only guys gone are Booth, Garrison and some prospects. WOW, so much for an overhaul then.
The point is that before we get so excited or so down about Kelser being gone, let's never forget that this was something that the player FORCED the organization to do.
Kesler, by the way, has it right: this team is ways away from winning the cup.
- Dan&Bob

That's just Benning being polite. I haven't liked Mr.K. for three years. Whiny, self centered, egotistical, oft injured. Good riddance.

You were wrong.
- Nucker101

this

Kyle Pettit, another ginger
Also played with Fox.

Did you expect Benning to say He is a dirtbag ,now what is your best offer?

I posted a Botchford link earlier in this blog and Benning admitted he was arguing with Keslers Camp twice a day.

He is thrilled that it is over
- VANTEL

Benning didn't have to run Kesler out of town, but he should have realized that Kesler was the only major chip he had to play in order to bring about significant change to this stale core.
In public Benning should have just said that Kesler is an awesome player but sometimes good players have to move on. Simple. Rather than tell the whole world how he would have loved to keep Kesler. If Kesler didn't go and this core stayed in tact, the team would have absolutely zero credibility. So Benning and Linden say they want to get younger, stronger, bigger...etc but then they go around and attempt to do nothing to this the core! Even Gillis could have done that.
I'm very glad Kesler was hell-bound to get out of here. He did the brass and the organization a HUGE favour. Kesler essentially saved the organization from themselves.

You could be right, but he's gone so no point in speculating. Didn't you say that this team was gonna keep all of the core and try to sign a UFA? 2 core players gone so it seems like you're wrong. And according to a poster with supposed "sources" another Canuck players was also asked to waive besides Garisson and it wasn't Edler. Has to be one of Hamhuis, Bieksa or Burrows...my guess is Burrows.


You were wrong.
- Nucker101

If It's Burrows we would need to take back a big hunk of salary. My guess is Hammer or Bieksa.

Kyle Pettit, another ginger
Also played with Fox.
- A_SteamingLombardi

That pick + Stewart seem like low upside picks, I don't get it. Even guys who are non-goons in the NHL that play in the bottom 6 usually were at one point thought of to have more upside than these guys when drafted. I can live with the est of the draft, but these last 2 picks look brutal, statically and judging by what people who've watched them have said.

That pick + Stewart seem like low upside picks, I don't get it. Even guys who are non-goons in the NHL that play in the bottom 6 usually were at one point thought of to have more upside than these guys when drafted. I can live with the est of the draft, but these last 2 picks look brutal, statically and judging by what people who've watched them have said.
- Nucker101

There's nothing worse than safe low-upside picks in rounds that are already a crapshoot. Swing for the (frank)ing fences or go home and let the NHL autodraft on your behalf.

That pick + Stewart seem like low upside picks, I don't get it. Even guys who are non-goons in the NHL that play in the bottom 6 usually were at one point thought of to have more upside than these guys when drafted. I can live with the est of the draft, but these last 2 picks look brutal, statically and judging by what people who've watched them have said.
- Nucker101

It is a weak draft.

Benning didn't have to run Kesler out of town, but he should have realized that Kesler was the only major chip he had to play in order to bring about significant change to this stale core.
In public Benning should have just said that Kesler is an awesome player but sometimes good players have to move on. Simple. Rather than tell the whole world how he would have loved to keep Kesler. If Kesler didn't go and this core stayed in tact, the team would have absolutely zero credibility. So Benning and Linden say they want to get younger, stronger, bigger...etc but then they go around and attempt to do nothing to this the core! Even Gillis could have done that.
I'm very glad Kesler was hell-bound to get out of here. He did the brass and the organization a HUGE favour. Kesler essentially saved the organization from themselves.
- Dan&Bob

If he had wanted to do the brass a huge favour, he would not have limited his waiver to two teams which made it extremely difficult for Benning to get a decent return.

No such thing, you're absolutely drafting on future potential right now.

About 5 kids out of the last 60 manage to even play 100 NHL games, rarely does a late rounder crack 500 games....RARELY!!!
- LeftCoaster

I'm well aware of the stats, but the guys that do pan out are usually drafted from teams, leagues, or countries that aren't scouted as thoroughly or drop due to concerns about attitude or a deficiency in skating or size. The skill is usually there.

There's nothing worse than safe low-upside picks in rounds that are already a crapshoot. Swing for the (frank)ing fences or go home and let the NHL autodraft on your behalf.
- DrChristianTroy

Exactly.

That's just Benning being polite. I haven't liked Mr.K. for three years. Whiny, self centered, egotistical, oft injured. Good riddance.
- Grumpy13

It's NOT what Benning says in public, it's about his TRUE feelings towards a player and the situation.
Tell me I'm wrong, Benning is upset to see Kesler go, he'd rather have kept him.
So my question then is: if Benning got his way, Kesler would still be here, right?

Oh well, looking forward to UFA for the first time in a long time.

It is a weak draft.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I don't but that as an excuse, there must be players with better skill levels than these 2 that they could have taken a shot on. There is every year. At least if those types of players don't pan out, you can feel better knowing that they had the upside to do so.


Again, everyone seems cool with the higher picks(obviously more important) so no biggie.

It's NOT what Benning says in public, it's about his TRUE feelings towards a player and the situation.
Tell me I'm wrong, Benning is upset to see Kesler go, he'd rather have kept him.
So my question then is: if Benning got his way, Kesler would still be here, right?
- Dan&Bob

How do you know Bennings TRUE feelings, you're an idiot.

It's NOT what Benning says in public, it's about his TRUE feelings towards a player and the situation.
Tell me I'm wrong, Benning is upset to see Kesler go, he'd rather have kept him.
So my question then is: if Benning got his way, Kesler would still be here, right?
- Dan&Bob

Wrong.

Benning didn't have to run Kesler out of town, but he should have realized that Kesler was the only major chip he had to play in order to bring about significant change to this stale core.
In public Benning should have just said that Kesler is an awesome player but sometimes good players have to move on. Simple. Rather than tell the whole world how he would have loved to keep Kesler. If Kesler didn't go and this core stayed in tact, the team would have absolutely zero credibility. So Benning and Linden say they want to get younger, stronger, bigger...etc but then they go around and attempt to do nothing to this the core! Even Gillis could have done that.
I'm very glad Kesler was hell-bound to get out of here. He did the brass and the organization a HUGE favour. Kesler essentially saved the organization from themselves.
- Dan&Bob

This core ended 24 th last year ,why the hell do you want to keep that together?

Kesler told Benning he wants out and that is final. He gave him two teams that he would play for.

Benning made this a very big weekend for the club

It's NOT what Benning says in public, it's about his TRUE feelings towards a player and the situation.
Tell me I'm wrong, Benning is upset to see Kesler go, he'd rather have kept him.
So my question then is: if Benning got his way, Kesler would still be here, right?
- Dan&Bob

Why does it even matter at this point and what's the point in passing your opinions along as fact? At least back it up. GM's bullsh*t in public all of the time so a Benning quote isn't enough for me. The only way you could know for sure is if you know someone inside the organization and I'm betting you do not.

If he had wanted to do the brass a huge favour, he would not have limited his waiver to two teams which made it extremely difficult for Benning to get a decent return.
- Grumpy13

HEy, some return is better than no return. If Kesler let Benning have his way, we'd be on here going wtf...when is change ever going to come to this organization.

There's nothing worse than safe low-upside picks in rounds that are already a crapshoot. Swing for the (frank)ing fences or go home and let the NHL autodraft on your behalf.
- DrChristianTroy

I agree.

HEy, some return is better than no return. If Kesler let Benning have his way, we'd be on here going wtf...when is change ever going to come to this organization.

- Dan&Bob

Yesterday idiot

http://swisshockeynews.ch...contract-to-yannick-weber

HEy, some return is better than no return. If Kesler let Benning have his way, we'd be on here going wtf...when is change ever going to come to this organization.

- Dan&Bob

Are you sure you are not Mike Gillis?

HEy, some return is better than no return. If Kesler let Benning have his way, we'd be on here going wtf...when is change ever going to come to this organization.

- Dan&Bob

So let me get this straight. You currently have your panties in a bunch because of a possible scenario that might have happened, but is now guaranteed to not happen?


Cool.

Oh well, looking forward to UFA for the first time in a long time.
- DrChristianTroy

In your professional opinion, which UFA's would the good doctor prescribe?