It tells me this team isnt looking at the short term.... nor am I. I don't really care if it's money well spent over the next 2 or 3 years while we go through a transitional period... in fact, over achieving through this period will only work against us. The owner cares less about his money than you do. Stop being embarrassed on how he spends it.

We just got rid of a GM who was handing out 5 and 6 years contracts like it was the starting point on any negotiation. I'm more worried about who we have in the system that will improve on the plugs we have on D after the next 3 years.

Miller. Who cares. It was a solution to a vulnerability. Over achieving is one thing but then there is also a disaster potentially with seats already empty. The new GM comes in and plays it safe. Lack had shown he could be over played quickly and Markstrom still hadnt shown he could handle a start since the Canucks acquired him. He brought in a legit #1 on a short term contract. It was money wisely spent at the time. Hind sight is 50/50... but it's not a contract that can be called a blunder. I think more GM's in Jims place take this contract at that moment than not, all things being equal.
- boonerbuck

The criticism isn't that Benning signed Miller to a contract. I think most can understand the line of thinking that the Canucks needed stability in net, even if they didn't like the Miller acquisition.

The criticism is that Benning wasn't able find a solution that didn't handcuff the team in terms of salary cap. It is widely reported that Miller only wanted to be on the coast to be close to his wife and her work and that he didn't have other suitors. Benning overpaid for something he didn't have to.

It was not money well spent at the time and I don't understand that line of thinking.

Same goes with Sbisa and arguably his other signings.

This could be Jim's way of doing a subtle tank. Wasted money on Miller/Sbisa. Vrbata signing (frank)ed him over but he can makeup for it by trading him for a late 1st. If he moves Hamhuis and Lack now and keeps Bieksa, he'll be set up nicely
- Nucker101

I think the Sbisa contract is a way of ensuring that he will make it through waivers so he can be developed slowly, the guy is a 1st round pick, Pedigree !!!!

The criticism isn't that Benning signed Miller to a contract. I think most can understand the line of thinking that the Canucks needed stability in net, even if they didn't like the Miller acquisition.

The criticism is that Benning wasn't able find a solution that didn't handcuff the team in terms of salary cap. It is widely reported that Miller only wanted to be on the coast to be close to his wife and her work and that he didn't have other suitors. Benning overpaid for something he didn't have to.

It was not money well spent at the time and I don't understand that line of thinking.

Same goes with Sbisa and arguably his other signings.
- belcherbd

This.


Who the hell was Benning even bidding against when he overpaid for those two? I would love to know what other GM's would have offered them. Even the Dorsett deal is basically UFA value, basically no hometown discount there.

The criticism isn't that Benning signed Miller to a contract. I think most can understand the line of thinking that the Canucks needed stability in net, even if they didn't like the Miller acquisition.

The criticism is that Benning wasn't able find a solution that didn't handcuff the team in terms of salary cap. It is widely reported that Miller only wanted to be on the coast to be close to his wife and her work and that he didn't have other suitors. Benning overpaid for something he didn't have to.

It was not money well spent at the time and I don't understand that line of thinking.

Same goes with Sbisa and arguably his other signings.
- belcherbd

Well said - if I see any more poor or unwarranted/illogical overpaid signings by Benning I will be extremely disappointed

The criticism isn't that Benning signed Miller to a contract. I think most can understand the line of thinking that the Canucks needed stability in net, even if they didn't like the Miller acquisition.

The criticism is that Benning wasn't able find a solution that didn't handcuff the team in terms of salary cap. It is widely reported that Miller only wanted to be on the coast to be close to his wife and her work and that he didn't have other suitors. Benning overpaid for something he didn't have to.

It was not money well spent at the time and I don't understand that line of thinking.

Same goes with Sbisa and arguably his other signings.
- belcherbd

I'm going to disagree with that sentiment, we don't know what went on during the negotiations, maybe Miller could have been signed for less money but wanted a full NTC/NMC clause in his contract, or else wanted a longer term for less money.

We have to take into account that JB never expected the D to collapse so badly near the end of the year or in the playoffs. I think if he had a do over, he'd have probably signed a goalie who could play 40 games as a 1A with Lack and gone after a top 2 D-man instead.

This.


Who the hell was Benning even bidding against when he overpaid for those two? I would love to know what other GM's would have offered them. Even the Dorsett deal is basically UFA value, basically no hometown discount there.
- Nucker101

The Tanev and Vrbata deals I think are really good, although I can understand why people thought Tanev was overpaid.

The Dorsett deal I don't mind but it certainly was in term a generous offer for a 4th liner who likely won't improve on this season. I think that is the cost for guys in their prime who have "intangibles". I do wonder how people will feel about him in a couple of years, but it's not like they had anybody in the system who will play that role.

I'm going to disagree with that sentiment, we don't know what went on during the negotiations, maybe Miller could have been signed for less money but wanted a full NTC/NMC clause in his contract, or else wanted a longer term for less money.

We have to take into account that JB never expected the D to collapse so badly near the end of the year or in the playoffs. I think if he had a do over, he'd have probably signed a goalie who could play 40 games as a 1A with Lack and gone after a top 2 D-man instead.
- DariusKnight

i bet he also would have traded matthias at tdl

The Tanev and Vrbata deals I think are really good, although I can understand why people thought Tanev was overpaid.

The Dorsett deal I don't mind but it certainly was in term a generous offer for a 4th liner who likely won't improve on this season. I think that is the cost for guys in their prime who have "intangibles". I do wonder how people will feel about him in a couple of years, but it's not like they had anybody in the system who will play that role.
- belcherbd

Dorsett is too small for the way he plays, age is going to hit him hard during years 3 and 4 of that deal.

Well said - if I see any more poor or unwarranted/illogical overpaid signings by Benning I will be extremely disappointed
- Zogg

I think Benning is poor at negotiating, with the Canucks being a cap team he has the freedom to seek out what he likes or wants and just goes out and gets it. He needs to improve his negotiating skills.

Personally I don't have an issue with the Miller signing, he wanted an experienced goaltender, they had history, so he went out and paid the guy. What's the big deal? He could have saved 1.5 million by signing someone else I guess, but how is that money gonna help the team this summer?

If you wanna save 3 million dollars get rid of Hansen and Higgins, let a couple kids play in their place. Trade Bieksa for a pick and a prospect, saves another 3 million in cap space.

What do we need vast amounts of cap space this summer for anyways?

I think Benning is poor at negotiating, with the Canucks being a cap team he has the freedom to seek out what he likes or wants and just goes out and gets it. He needs to improve his negotiating skills.

Personally I don't have an issue with the Miller signing, he wanted an experienced goaltender, they had history, so he went out and paid the guy. What's the big deal? He could have saved 1.5 million by signing someone else I guess, but how is that money gonna help the team?

If you wanna save 3 million dollars get rid of Hansen and Higgins, let a couple kids play in their place. Trade Bieksa for a pick and a prospect, saves another 3 million in cap space.

What do we need vast amounts of cap space this summer for anyways?
- LeftCoaster

Cap room gives you leverage in trade negotiations. And the teams up against the cap will sometimes give away a quality player cheaply in a trade or even be willing to throw in a good pick or prospect if you take a cap dump off of their hands.

That could help accelerate the rebuild/retool or whatever they want to call it.


The "we won't win the cup soon anyway so overpaying doesn't matter" line of thinking boggles my mind.

Cap room gives you leverage in trade negotiations. And the teams up against the cap will sometimes give away a quality player cheaply in a trade or even be willing to throw in a good pick or prospect if you take a cap dump off of their hands.

That could help accelerate the rebuild/retool or whatever they want to call it.


The "we won't win the cup soon anyway so overpaying doesn't matter" line of thinking boggles my mind.
- Nucker101

Unless that overpayment gave us a top4 pick for the next 2 years

Cap room gives you leverage in trade negotiations. And the teams up against the cap will sometimes give away a quality player cheaply in a trade or even be willing to throw in a good pick or prospect if you take a cap dump off of their hands.

That could help accelerate the rebuild/retool or whatever they want to call it.


The "we won't win the cup soon anyway so overpaying doesn't matter" line of thinking boggles my mind.
- Nucker101

That's a piss poor way to run your business. Let's not compete but have tons of cap space every year. This is not a garbage dump like Toronto.

The players wanted a chance to show they could compete so he gave it to them. He learned, hopefully, that they don't have what it takes so you go back and re-evaluate.

They can easily get rid of guys with value like Higgins and Bieksa to save space.

Unless that overpayment gave us a top4 pick for the next 2 years
- Retinalz

Yeah, but you don't see the world praising Tambellini/MacTavish/Lowe for McDavid

That's a piss poor way to run your business. Let's not compete but have tons of cap space every year. This is not a garbage dump like Toronto.

The players wanted a chance to show they could compete so he gave it to them. He learned, hopefully, that they don't have what it takes so you go back and re-evaluate.

They can easily get rid of guys with value like Higgins and Bieksa to save space.
- LeftCoaster

They should get rid of Bieksa and Higgins

That's a piss poor way to run your business. Let's not compete but have tons of cap space every year. This is not a garbage dump like Toronto.

The players wanted a chance to show they could compete so he gave it to them. He learned, hopefully, that they don't have what it takes so you go back and re-evaluate.

They can easily get rid of guys with value like Higgins and Bieksa to save space.
- LeftCoaster

How so? We got Ehrhoff from the Sharks in that situation. And if you take a cap dump, you're getting an asset back that will strengthen your team. Who cares what this core thinks, pampering them and letting them influence your decisions will get you nowhere. Their time has passed.

I'm all for moving the Higgins' and Bieksa's on this team, but I don't see how that justifies overpaying for mediocrity. It actually has nothing to do with Miller and Sbisa. You could still move them both even if Miller and Sbisa were never here.

Yeah, but you don't see the world praising Tambellini/MacTavish/Lowe for McDavid
- Nucker101

Not the world, but look at the fans for the Oilers. I'd bet that if Van finished last place, the money made from selling Mcdavid or Eichel merch would have topped the money made from 3 home games in playoffs

Not the world, but look at the fans for the Oilers. I'd bet that if Van finished last place, the money made from selling Mcdavid or Eichel merch would have topped the money made from 3 home games in playoffs
- Retinalz

It's sad that we're hoping Benning accidentally tanks

I think Benning is poor at negotiating, with the Canucks being a cap team he has the freedom to seek out what he likes or wants and just goes out and gets it. He needs to improve his negotiating skills.

Personally I don't have an issue with the Miller signing, he wanted an experienced goaltender, they had history, so he went out and paid the guy. What's the big deal? He could have saved 1.5 million by signing someone else I guess, but how is that money gonna help the team this summer?

If you wanna save 3 million dollars get rid of Hansen and Higgins, let a couple kids play in their place. Trade Bieksa for a pick and a prospect, saves another 3 million in cap space.

What do we need vast amounts of cap space this summer for anyways?
- LeftCoaster

It would of given Benning more options, perhaps he could keep Matthais or Richardson if he wished, perhaps Miller is easier to move to a team like SJ at 4.5, perhaps Sbisa get 5.1 per year.

The team doesn't need vast amounts of cap space but they will be hard pressed to sign Baertschi(.875), Vey(.770), Corrado(.630), Clendening(.860), Markstrom(1.4), Kennins(.75) and Grenier(.815) with only about 3-5 million, depending on who you ask.

The numbers I posted are the minimum qualifying offers for those players, which is 6.1 million.

It would of given Benning more options, perhaps he could keep Matthais or Richardson if he wished, perhaps Miller is easier to move to a team like SJ at 4.5, perhaps Sbisa get 5.1 per year.

The team doesn't need vast amounts of cap space but they will be hard pressed to sign Baertschi(.875), Vey(.770), Corrado(.630), Clendening(.860), Markstrom(1.4), Kennins(.75) and Grenier(.815) with only about 3-5 million, depending on who you ask.

The numbers I posted are the minimum qualifying offers for those players, which is 6.1 million.
- belcherbd

Typo or troll?

They should get rid of Bieksa and Higgins
- vancouverdawg

Too many folks using revisionary history to support their arguments that Benning shouldn't have signed Miller. My opinion is the management and players honestly felt they could compete for a Cup, so they did everything they could to give the team what they needed....depth and goaltending.

Those two guys have value and combine for a 7 million dollar cap hit, that's money not well spent for them considering they aren't in a position to win. Last year I wouldn't have said that, this year I would.

It would of given Benning more options, perhaps he could keep Matthais or Richardson if he wished, perhaps Miller is easier to move to a team like SJ at 4.5, perhaps Sbisa get 5.1 per year.

The team doesn't need vast amounts of cap space but they will be hard pressed to sign Baertschi(.875), Vey(.770), Corrado(.630), Clendening(.860), Markstrom(1.4), Kennins(.75) and Grenier(.815) with only about 3-5 million, depending on who you ask.

The numbers I posted are the minimum qualifying offers for those players, which is 6.1 million.
- belcherbd

Not one of those guys deserve more than a 4 K raise

Typo or troll?
- Nucker101

I'm just saying he could spend it however he see fit....

Too many folks using revisionary history to support their arguments that Benning shouldn't have signed Miller. My opinion is the management and players honestly felt they could compete for a Cup, so they did everything they could to give the team what they needed....depth and goaltending.

Those two guys have value and combine for a 7 million dollar cap hit, that's money not well spent for them considering they aren't in a position to win. Last year I wouldn't have said that, this year I would.
- LeftCoaster

The problem is that unlike the Gillis blunders, at least half of the fanbase hated the Sbisa and Miller deals right away. Ballard and Booth at least brought some hope and were considered to have positive trade value when we acquired their contracts. there was sam rationale behind those moves.

It's annoying as a fan when a move that you hate right away continues to look bad or even worse than you originally thought.

Too many folks using revisionary history to support their arguments that Benning shouldn't have signed Miller. My opinion is the management and players honestly felt they could compete for a Cup, so they did everything they could to give the team what they needed....depth and goaltending.

Those two guys have value and combine for a 7 million dollar cap hit, that's money not well spent for them considering they aren't in a position to win. Last year I wouldn't have said that, this year I would.
- LeftCoaster

I personally don't like either ones style. I think you can get players a lot cheaper to fill their same stats

The problem is that unlike the Gillis blunders, at least half of the fanbase hated the Sbisa and Miller deals right away. Ballard and Booth at least brought some hope and were considered to have positive trade value when we acquired their contracts. there was sam rationale behind those moves.

It's annoying as a fan when a move that you hate right away continues to look bad or even worse than you originally thought.
- Nucker101

Sbisa will only be a bad deal if he stinks this year. If he has a very good year JB will look like a genuis