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

We need all that extra cash to pay draft picks and entry level player? No wait, they costs nothing... We need the cash for UFA's and rentals for playoff success... wait, at this point it would be counter productive.... I know... to save face for all the trolling that goes on here on HB... thats it I'm sure.

I'm not sure what Miller would of signed for, it doesn't really matter because in my opinion he was signed for too much and for too long.

Had he signed for less or had Benning found another solution, Benning would have more options this off season instead of possibly be forced to move an asset for a potential low return.

Teams know the Canucks will be pressed up against the cap and I doubt they will do them any favors. I'm sure Benning planned to move out vets when he acquired a bunch of players that require waivers but he would have more flexibility if he had negotiated better deals.
- belcherbd

Options to do what? We have no depth or prospects to trade for upgrades & the free agent crop is the poops.

The Canucks are up against the cap almost every year. I suspect he'd planned to move out some older guys all along. Signing a goaltender like Hiller instead Miller would have saved 1.5 million, I don't see it as a huge problem and going with Lack was never an option.

A 6 million dollar goalie should make the defense look better than they are, not rely on them.
- Nucker101

Are u remembering how bad lack was in the playoffs? I know miller isn't a star but lack has lots of holes.

I don't understand how in less than a year you went from the guy who thinks we will suck and looks forward to the sucking so we can rebuild to non stop stressing about overpaying some players for the short term and maybe sucking for the next couple of seasons.

You gave Gillis so much leeway for his screw ups over the years but started ripping this GM a new ahole by the end of 1 season for not securing you a better team and contracts.

I'm at least happy that our GM's questionable contracts are short with clauses for both parties to get out of or plug players that can be dumped in the minors like Sbisa. I don't feel that dread I use to anymore.

Maybe you forget what being handcuffed to a contract looks like already.
- boonerbuck

Again, the contracts the Canucks were handcuffed to under Gillis were at least reasonably made. Ballard and Booth were considered to be decent players. Kesler had a full NTC but was/is a steal at 5M per and still had very good trade value despite demanding a trade by backing the new rookie GM into a corner. Garrison's cap hit is rock solid for a legit second pairing dman and Yzerman got a great deal for him.

Bieksa's contract sucks now but was cleverly designed so that a team with a low budget would be interested in him along with a contender. Hamhuis and the Sedins are great values. Higgins and Hansen are reasonable.

Burrows is the one that had me shaking my head a bit as soon as it was announced since it was likely that he would begin to decline. That's the one Gillis signing I'd say wasn't thought through well enough and we could be handcuffed with.


The Luongo deal was brilliant before the new CBA.

Are u remembering how bad lack was in the playoffs? I know miller isn't a star but lack has lots of holes.
- Bieksa#3

So if they're both roughly in the same tier, I'll take the cheaper/younger goalie and use that money elsewhere or save it to take advantage of a cap team in trouble.

Lack and Markstrom weren't an option back then, and as I recall, before Miller signed, the two backups to Lack that people were hot to sign, were signed leaving Benning with no options. The only other way to have done it was to trade for a goalie and after the bad taste of the Luongo trade, the fan base would have revolted. The deal is fine, the only issue is that our D core deteriorated faster than was anticipated and Benning needs to address that.
- DariusKnight

There were options, I can't accept that the only option Benning had, was to pay a premium for Miller.

It's not like I'm trying to raise a mob to burn down his house and string him up, it just wasn't a good signing at the time.

There were options, I can't accept that the only option Benning had, was to pay a premium for Miller.

It's not like I'm trying to raise a mob to burn down his house and string him up, it just wasn't a good signing at the time.
- belcherbd

Exactly. People act like it was Miller or Markstrom and no in between options.

Well speaking of facts, is there any statistical proof that Miller was the best goalie available and a clear upgrade on Lack that was worth 6 million over 3 years?
- Nucker101

You're just making a fool of yourself now and your age is showing. It was widely accepted in NHL circles that he was the best free agent goaltender out there. Look it up.

http://www.mynhltraderumo...4-top-30-nhl-free-agents/

http://www.sbnation.com/n...free-agents-2014-rankings

Maybe you misunderstood me, it doesn't matter what Miller was willing to take.

Benning should of known that 6 million and 3 years was an overpayment for an average goalie in his mid 30's.

If Miller wasn't willing to take less than Benning should of looked elsewhere for a solution.
- belcherbd

Without a time machine, the rest of the people who covered the NHL had to stick with their original opinion that Benning grabbed the two best UFA's available in the summer. Miller went for the kind of money a top goalie gets in a short term contract.

He has 2 years left... Most likely he doesnt finish his contract here. I'm not sweating it . All I care about is I see something happening with our youth program over these two years you and nucker are so worried about. Miller isnt in Demko's way... We can choose one of Lack or Markstrom to play back up or in Lacks case,,, force Miller to want out possibly.... either which way... this has no long term implications so I don't care about the owners money going into Millers account.

You're just making a fool of yourself now and your age is showing. It was widely accepted in NHL circles that he was the best free agent goaltender out there. Look it up.

http://www.mynhltraderumo...4-top-30-nhl-free-agents/

http://www.sbnation.com/n...free-agents-2014-rankings
- LeftCoaster

Age doesn't matter, we're all adults here and read/watch enough. A 25 year old was just hired as an assistant GM in Arizona.


Miller was a big name but his numbers never suggested he was an actual 6M upgrade on Lack. SV% is the best way to judge a goalie and his had been mediocre or slightly above average overall in recent years.

Age doesn't matter, we're all adults here and read/watch enough. A 25 year old was just hired as an assistant GM in Arizona.


Miller was a big name but his numbers never suggested he was an actual 6M upgrade on Lack. SV% is the best way to judge a goalie and his had been mediocre or slightly above average overall in recent years.
- Nucker101

It's pretty self explanatory Nucker, they felt like he gave them the best chance to win so they signed him? Obviously the players and the management didn't want to go with a backup like Lack, they wanted a proven starter.

Make up your (frank)in mind, last year and the year before you're putting up pictures of tanks all over the place because you want the team to lose, now they sign a goaltender who you think is poop to be the number one and you're pissed off??

But yet you want Lack to play because he gives the team a better chance to win?? WTF do you really want??

It's pretty self explanatory Nucker, they felt like he gave them the best chance to win so they signed him? Obviously the players and the management didn't want to go with a backup like Lack, they wanted a proven starter.

Make up your (frank)in mind, last year and the year before you're putting up pictures of tanks all over the place because you want the team to lose, now they sign a goaltender who you think is poop to be the number one and you're pissed off??

But yet you want Lack to play because he gives the team a better chance to win??
- LeftCoaster

Dont get me wrong, I'd still prefer a tank but it scares me that the guy in charge thinks guys like Miller and Sbisa are worth what he paid for them despite holding some decent negotiating leverage.

replay of '94 game 7 is on now, sportsnet2 or w/e

224 shaw

Age doesn't matter, we're all adults here and read/watch enough. A 25 year old was just hired as an assistant GM in Arizona.


Miller was a big name but his numbers never suggested he was an actual 6M upgrade on Lack. SV% is the best way to judge a goalie and his had been mediocre or slightly above average overall in recent years.
- Nucker101

Adjusted sv% is, but they don't keep it accurately. SV % is a very flawed stat.

Adjusted sv% is, but they don't keep it accurately. SV % is a very flawed stat.
- golfingsince

I had that typed but deleted it for fear of being judged

I hope Im not the only one watching the NBA finals right now

I hope Im not the only one watching the NBA finals right now
- vancity787

Cavs are schooling GS

I had that typed but deleted it for fear of being judged
- Nucker101

It's true though, one save is not like the other. Remember when +/- was overvalued ? Now it's incorrectly devalued completely in some parts.

Dont get me wrong, I'd still prefer a tank but it scares me that the guy in charge thinks guys like Miller and Sbisa are worth what he paid for them despite holding some decent negotiating leverage.
- Nucker101

I just over paid for a boat because it was the only one of it's kind available at the moment. I couldnt shop for it earlier when the price was better unfortunately(spring worse time to buy boat). I took the best used boat advertised at the time though... after more detailed inspection at home... it wasnt as in good shape as I wished but it will do for now.

The truth is, I could have down scaled and spent less money but I was less sure of what was available at the time... and I didnt want my season ruined and hating myself for second guessing the boat I knew so much about.

Cavs are schooling GS
- vancouverdawg

Yup, Not a Lebron fan. But that guy is amazing. Especially without Irving and Love.

I hope Im not the only one watching the NBA finals right now
- vancity787

I'm having this debate while watching it at a friends house...I'm pathetic

I'm having this debate while watching it at a friends house...I'm pathetic
- Nucker101

Pretty electric. Im not a huge basketball fan. Just a general sports fan. And I must say, Im being entertained.

Cleveland fans are loud as hell!!

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

My question is, what the hell happened to Gilman? Aren't contracts his thing? Is he our version of McTavish: part of the old regime who's just kind of there, playing with crayons?

It's true though, one save is not like the other. Remember when +/- was overvalued ? Now it's incorrectly devalued completely in some parts.
- golfingsince

Article on adjusted Sv%

http://canucksarmy.com/20...on-goaltending-statistics

I just over paid for a boat because it was the only one of it's kind available at the moment. I couldnt shop for it earlier when the price was better unfortunately(spring worse time to buy boat). I took the best used boat advertised at the time though... after more detailed inspection at home... it wasnt as in good shape as I wished but it will do for now.

The truth is, I could have down scaled and spent less money but I was less sure of what was available at the time... and I didnt want my season ruined and hating myself for second guessing the boat I knew so much about.
- boonerbuck

Hopefully next year when you have the boat it won't be in such bad condition that you wont be able sell it to buy a replacement, that is of course assuming that you have a specific budget set in place for all your fishing expenses.

Worst case scenario I guess is that you will have to sell off your reliable and fairly new reel at a discount just so you can buy enough bait and hooks for the season......I guess you can just use that other reel, the really shiny one that you tried using a few times but always shat the bed when you gave it a chance......