There were those (can't remember who and am too lazy to look up) who were complaining that Benning was poorly managing the asset that was Weber in the days leading up to free agency because he wasn't qualified. Then Weber signs and there is silence, except about how much Dorsett is getting paid. Who cares if he's the fifth highest paid forward. Part of that was his role in helping the team actually have a fourth line. Possession stat all you like, but observation showed he was a big part of that. The other reason he is paid more than most is because he just signed. There is salary inflation every year.
- bazz

Weber... another ok deal.

All the crying about his contract negotiations are about Sbisa and Dorsett. While completely dismissing the others.

#axetogrind

I guess I'm more like Vintage in that I don't worry about what the players are paid (How about Gillis bringing in Sundin at $20mil...WTF was that all about...haven't seen anything even remotely close by JB) as long as they do there job and perform the way their coach requires. If they don't then off to the press box and bring in the replacement.

As for the fancy stats that prove your point, there must be some intangibles that JB, TL and WD know about or value over the stats to make them dress either player.

And with stats there are always anomalies that can skew the stats...Calgary winning so many games when the stats say they shouldn't of.
- Makita

I support using fancy stats. They are a useful tool, but there are intangibles that also must be looked at. And wasn't David Booth the darling of the Corsi world?

I support using fancy stats. They are a useful tool, but there are intangibles that also must be looked at. And wasn't David Booth the darling of the Corsi world?
- bazz

I believe you are correct about Booth, I deal in analytics all day and also know they are a useful tool, but there are also realities that have to be taken into account.

Weber... another ok deal.

All the crying about his contract negotiations are about Sbisa and Dorsett. While completely dismissing the others.

#axetogrind
- boonerbuck

I don't care whether Weber is on the team or not. Just commenting on the stream of complaints about Benning's minute by minute moves. Same with the Mathias no trade at the deadline. At that point, they were trying to make the playoffs and probably thought it would be a good idea to keep a big body who was one of the leading goal scorers. Ok, didn't work out. But I've said it before and I'll say it again. If they had traded Mathias, the Canucks would still have been rolled by the Flames. In this case, I'm sure people would be all over Benning for having traded a big body and one of the leading scorers for a draft pick.

I guess the message to new young the players is... want to get paid... dont play like pussies....

I don't know why it pains you so much to over pay these guys though. You go on and on about blowing it up and tanking but also want them to use the money spent on under achievers on better players.... if you want to tank... embrace the poopty players that are here on SHORT contracts. Tanev is a good player on a good deal and he signed for 5 years. Why do people ignore that JB can negotiate when it comes to better players? The Vrbada deal was good as well. Best forward addition in years for good money and term. Nope keep focusing on a #6 D paid less than 500k over his qualifier and a 4rth line checker....

I wonder how often Sbisa was on the ice during Dorsett's shifts? Can't remember but I bet a lot.
- boonerbuck

The original discussion was questioning Benning's ability to negotiate contracts. Nucker had some concerns and some questioned why he had concerns. I provided reasoning.

What those two contracts do is allow the naysayers to question JB's negotiating abilities. Like it or not advance stats are here to say and they are widely used to measure a player's capabilities and progression from season to season.

JB just gave two big contracts to players many see as the two worst on the team. That's it. Nothing more. It’s not personel.

You can't deny that there is some reasoning behind the questions.

I don't care whether Weber is on the team or not. Just commenting on the stream of complaints about Benning's minute by minute moves. Same with the Mathias no trade at the deadline. At that point, they were trying to make the playoffs and probably thought it would be a good idea to keep a big body who was one of the leading goal scorers. Ok, didn't work out. But I've said it before and I'll say it again. If they had traded Mathias, the Canucks would still have been rolled by the Flames. In this case, I'm sure people would be all over Benning for having traded a big body and one of the leading scorers for a draft pick.
- bazz

I don't get why you guys let Mattias go? Big body, scores, signed for cheap. Wtf?

Do you guys think you're a playoff team this year?

Weber... another ok deal.

All the crying about his contract negotiations are about Sbisa and Dorsett. While completely dismissing the others.

#axetogrind
- boonerbuck

That's not true. Here's my post in response... I identified the good ones. Credit where credit is due.

He has a point though. Let's look at the recent signings and players who are still on the roster from JB's first season:

Miller - poor
Sbisa - poor
Dorsett - poor
Tanev - good
Weber - good
Corrado - meh
Bartkowski - meh

I'm sure I've missed a few but you can see a few questionable moves.
- bloatedmosquito

He came from the Rangers.
- A_SteamingLombardi

My bad. I thought he was still with the BlueJackets (I think he only played around 50 games for New York). I believe he had some injury problems during his tenure with New York? and, thus, I guess the Rangers ultimately decided not to resign (cap problems I would imagine as well (he did get very good deal out of Vancouver after all) and also making some space available for some of their up and coming players).

A character guy, though, and is the type of player you want on your team - at the least he provides some breathing room to your other line-mates. And at best, he can also pitch in on offense and be a fairly good two-way player. Great work ethic and attitude he demonstrates are all positive on the younger guys as well

Fun Fact - Dorsett had 289 minutes of penalties one season when he played with the Crunch! (in only 64 games) back in 08

1030 PIMS in 408 games played (not too shabby)

Any GM/President of hockey ops who doesn't lie is going mayo struggle. Love how Gillis gets ripped for it yet it's considered a good quality under this overwhelmed management team.



Benning is a poor contract and trade negotiator...when you hear things like "their offer was by far the best" or "it was an easy contract to negotiate" then there's some problems. Asset management has been pathetic so far outside of the Bieksa deal. Even in the Kesler deal it's clear that Benning actually valued Sbisa as an asset which is just sad.
- Nucker101

When Benning says publicly it was an easy contract to negotiate, it doesn't mean a thing. We don't know what really went on. What do you want him to say, I put my fingers around his throat and told him this and that and then I kicked his agent in the nuts. The problem is that these guys seem to need to explain everything they do. They should just do their work and keep quiet. The most skilled politicians learned that a long time ago. Everything someone says is used against them. If you talk less, you take the air out of your critics pretty quickly.

Decent goon, overpaid but not as bad as Engelland in Calgary
- Ihatebrianburke

Engelland

Do you guys think you're a playoff team this year?
- Ihatebrianburke

I don't. But that's OK with me. Just don't finish 9th for the love of god.

My bad. I thought he was still with the BlueJackets (I think he only played around 50 games for New York). I believe he had some injury problems during his tenure with New York? and, thus, I guess the Rangers ultimately decided not to resign (cap problems I would imagine as well (he did get very good deal out of Vancouver after all) and also making some space available for some of their up and coming players).

A character guy, though, and is the type of player you want on your team - at the least he provides some breathing room to your other line-mates. And at best, he can also pitch in on offense and be a fairly good two-way player. Great work ethic and attitude he demonstrates are all positive on the younger guys as well

Fun Fact - Dorsett had 289 minutes of penalties one season when he played with the Crunch! (in only 64 games) back in 08

1030 PIMS in 408 games played (not too shabby)
- Zogg

One of these days a heavyweight is going to get a hold of him and then it's going to be lights out. I think the canucks should get a few more knuckle draggers. No harm in doing it during a rebuild.

Yes...yes he does, even to the point of blogging on my HB to inform the masses how bad the prospects and management team are.

I used to enjoy his thoughts and posts, but he's really lowered himself to the level of sensnucksnocups, bordering the surreyoiler kid...all because Sbisa got 500,000 to much, oh and Lack is better than Miller who should never have been signed
- Makita

It's a shame, it's like the sbisa signing has put him into a deep depression. Maybe Sbisa franked his Gf? It's unfortunate but also kind of hilarious. SBISA for captain!

It's a shame, it's like the sbisa signing has put him into a deep depression. Maybe Sbisa franked his Gf? It's unfortunate but also kind of hilarious. SBISA for captain!
- CanuckDon

But he does suck based on current standards. It's the potential everyone's excited about.

Holy poop Steamer, we are becoming the oilers!

Do you guys think you're a playoff team this year?
- Ihatebrianburke

Don't know. Team lost Mathias, Richardson, Kassian, Bieksa and Lack. Are they replaceable with new players? We'll see.

Come on. Where did the circle jerk gang go?

Do you guys think you're a playoff team this year?
- Ihatebrianburke

And I guess I should add that it depends how much the other teams improve on the ice compared to on paper.

One of these days a heavyweight is going to get a hold of him and then it's going to be lights out. I think the canucks should get a few more knuckle draggers. No harm in doing it during a rebuild.
- bloatedmosquito

The Hawks had Ben Eager to protect Kane and Toews

Don't know. Team lost Mathias, Richardson, Kassian, Bieksa and Lack. Are they replaceable with new players? We'll see.
- bazz

Don't forget the remaining core gets a year older and a season slower. You know with injuries our team is going to lean on their rookies.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that our team plummets like the Chinese stock market.

I don't. But that's OK with me. Just don't finish 9th for the love of god.
- bloatedmosquito

I doubt you guys get it but I don't think we will either as is.

Cuban. If you're not a fan. Ugh. I'm so ashamed. They are a Canadian masterpiece.

Although I know they are a lot like Nickleback. You love them or hate them.

But Rush to me is a lot more loveable.

Check out the documentary "Beyond the lighted stage"

So many of my friends found a new respect for the band after watching this.

Such a good insight into the bands background. And unfortunately some heartbreaking stories in the meanwhile.
- vancity787

I don't really love or hate either band. They just kind of exist. I get that Rush are great musicians, and their drummer in particular can bang the hell out of them, but they don't really do much for me. I think that it's the lead singer.

One of these days a heavyweight is going to get a hold of him and then it's going to be lights out. I think the canucks should get a few more knuckle draggers. No harm in doing it during a rebuild.
- bloatedmosquito

It's pretty amazing that he's been able to withstand so much abuse. I don't believe I've ever seen him decline an invitation for fisticuffs and he's certainly not shy about taking on all comers, regardless of size. Tough way to earn a living but I'm sure your teammates appreciate you that much more, standing up when needed and also injecting some energy and grittiness on the forecheck.

I doubt you guys get it but I don't think we will either as is.
- Ihatebrianburke

I'm okay with missing the playoffs, I think (but probably not though), but I am not okay with finishing behind the Oilers.

He came from the Rangers.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Via Columbus