He also said Matthias won't be back, Richardson maybe , depending what happens at the draft and Free Agency.

He said a few times he wants to get tougher. He said he saw what Calgary did to disrupt the flow of our playoffs , he said we didn't have a response.

Again by those two producing and no one else helping we will draft 15-30 every year they are here
- VANTEL

Agreed, they need more help and the reinforcements seem long off. Only chances are draft steals/deals and good FA acquisitions

I've been out of the loop for a while but if he stated publicly that all of those players were NHL ready then he'd only be saying it to boost their confidence and let them know that spots are available for the guys that show him they're ready. For a young guy that's plenty to go for motivation before camp and a heck of a lot more motivation than on teams whose rosters are pretty much already set for next season.

There's no way he'd actually bring all those guys up even if he could, unless his intention was to transform this team into a bottom feeder. Which might be their desired trajectory at this point for all I know. Rogers would be half full most nights though...for years.
- AlexF

Yeah but if the team is bringing back Burrows Higgins Bieksa Hamhuis Edler Weber then I know I won't be attending any games. I've seen too much of that uninspired core

Agreed, they need more help and the reinforcements seem long off. Only chances are draft steals/deals and good FA acquisitions
- WhiteLie

Suck for three to four years and bring in some dynamic players drafted in the top 5

Again by those two producing and no one else helping we will draft 15-30 every year they are here
- VANTEL

You have to wear rose colored glasses if you want to get through this next stretch. With the stated goal being to make the playoffs, I am just hoping moves will be made to get picks or prospects back for expiring veteran contracts and there is a little push from the prospects to facilitate this.

The tanking while holding onto own picks and acquiring more picks sounds like the best way to accumulate talent at the draft but we can't expect something that bold. May want it, but don't foresee it happening.

Yeah but if the team is bringing back Burrows Higgins Bieksa Hamhuis Edler Weber then I know I won't be attending any games. I've seen too much of that uninspired core
- VANTEL

Can't disagree with that and we're aligned at this point. The CGY series was all I needed to see to realize this roster should almost entirely be shaken up. But this city pays when the team wins and walks when it loses. Regardless of the cast I think that will remain true.

No shame, still the worst trade that Gillis made while he was here.
- 1970vintage

Not a fan of the Kevin Connauton + 2013 2nd round pick for Derek Roy

That 2nd was Philippe Desrosiers. Oceanic goalie. Good pick.

Can't disagree with that and we're aligned at this point. The CGY series was all I needed to see to realize this roster should almost entirely be shaken up. But this city pays when the team wins and walks when the loses. Regardless of the cast I think that will remain true.
- AlexF

Benning said minutes ago , he expects a lot of activity this summer. He said he thinks there will be a lot of movement by a lot of teams.

He also said Miller is going nowhere

Again by those two producing and no one else helping we will draft 15-30 every year they are here
- VANTEL

Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuppppppppp

Benning said minutes ago , he expects a lot of activity this summer. He said he thinks there will be a lot of movement by a lot of teams.

He also said Miller is going nowhere
- VANTEL

I think the amount of activity will be directly correlated to the salary cap. If it drops or stands pat, it might get interesting. If it rises to the $71M project figure, I doubt there will be more activity than normal.

Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuppppppppp
- A_SteamingLombardi

Sell the team to Jimmy P. and hire Vantel as president.

Sell the team to Jimmy P. and hire Vantel as president.
- Grumpy13

It would cut into too much of my Hockey Buzz time

I think the amount of activity will be directly correlated to the salary cap. If it drops or stands pat, it might get interesting. If it rises to the $71M project figure, I doubt there will be more activity than normal.
- AlexF

Teams like Pitts Det Canucks Sharks LA Bruins are beginning to realize they are old and trying to dump old guys.

Then you have the next group of underachievers like Phi Dal St.L that want to move players to improve.

Moving players over 30 in a few years is going to be very hard to do.

Teams like Pitts Det Canucks Sharks LA Bruins are beginning to realize they are old and trying to dump old guys.

Then you have the next group of underachievers like Phi Dal St.L that want to move players to improve.

Moving players over 30 in a few years is going to be very hard to do.
- VANTEL

I'd say it's tough to do now. I know we're all hoping for Benning to offload Bieksa, Burrows, Higgins, etc for a series of useful picks in this draft but I think he'll have issues just offloading many of them at all.

Sell the team to Jimmy P. and hire Vantel as president.
- Grumpy13

Sell the team to Vantel, man would that piss off nocups.

I'd say it's tough to do now. I know we're all hoping for Benning to offload Bieksa, Burrows, Higgins, etc for a series of useful picks in this draft but I think he'll have issues just offloading many of them at all.
- AlexF

Aaron Ward was saying this morning the amount of buyouts this year is nuts. He said he is hearing names he would have never expected. He said there are going to be a few shocks if they are true.

Umberger Lupul Vinny Hartnell Burrows Weiss Clarkson maybe Marleau . Will be fun to see

Aaron Ward was saying this morning the amount of buyouts this year is nuts. He said he is hearing names he would have never expected. He said there are going to be a few shocks if they are true.
- VANTEL

Meaning the pool of free agent players available will be going up. Makes trading anything but elite players even tougher.

assuming he's right, I wonder what's prompting such a rash of buyouts. The cap going down would be the obvious reason but if it goes up...?

DP

He also said Matthias won't be back, Richardson maybe , depending what happens at the draft and Free Agency.

He said a few times he wants to get tougher. He said he saw what Calgary did to disrupt the flow of our playoffs , he said we didn't have a response.
- VANTEL

What else did he say?

Meaning the pool of free agent players available will be going up. Makes trading anything but elite players even tougher.

assuming he's right, I wonder what's prompting such a rash of buyouts. The cap going down would be the obvious reason but if it goes up...?
- AlexF

I think with the game getting faster and younger teams want to rid of older slower players with 4 million plus contracts

What else did he say?
- vancity787

Remove all of your clothing and report immediately to the mothership.

What else did he say?
- vancity787

Talked to 65 kids at the draft, they are high on about 5 of them. Didn't talk to McDavid Eichel.

He will be drafting BPA at 23 Rd not drafting for need . He hopes to draft a top 6 forward.

He was in a good mood and honest with most answers except he said he has not spoken or asked anyone to waive a NTC

He feels when JV got the flu the Comets game changed drastically

Jeff Paterson ‏@patersonjeff
#Canucks with 1 pick in first 3 rounds of draft yet interviewed 65/120 kids combine. Sounds like a GM who plans on having a few more picks
- AlexF

I think Benning can muster a couple of 2nd round picks and clear some cap before the round is done. At least one 2nd and I'm willing to put money on that.

Lack/Markstrom, Bieksa, Higgins, Hansen, Vey all can be mixed and matched for picks.

Talked to 65 kids at the draft, they are high on about 5 of them. Didn't talk to McDavid Eichel.

He will be drafting BPA at 23 Rd not drafting for need . He hopes to draft a top 6 forward.

He was in a good mood and honest with most answers except he said he has not spoken or asked anyone to waive a NTC

He feels when JV got the flu the Comets game changed drastically
- VANTEL

I get the feeling Virtanen can make the jump this year. Most of the others he mentioned I'm on the fence about and some of them I don't think will have consistent NHL careers.

I get the feeling Virtanen can make the jump this year. Most of the others he mentioned I'm on the fence about and some of them I don't think will have consistent NHL careers.
- AlexF

He liked Gaunce's heavy game.

Makes you wonder what the mix will look like.