If anything, I want benning to hoard cap space as well as draft picks.

The dollar is declining which means that the cap will be relatively flat or possibly decrease.

Don't sign anyone (and FFS stay away from lucic) and try to poach some good players from cap strapped teams. Stay away from UFA's (top tier ones) for 2-3 seasons.
- RealityChecker

As a rule, that would be my ideal scenario too, but there are exceptions. If a Seabrook is available, I'd rather they make an offer.

Best thing I have heard all day, that is a major worry of mine for next season.
- belcherbd

You and me both. I will be at nucker level meltdown if it happens.

He's basically the tank commander. But the guy in charge of running this rebuild/retool is high on him when basically all evidence suggests he's barely a NHL player. He doesn't create any offense and this team bleeds goals when he's on the ice.

It's weird that they're so invested in his potential while Kassian was basically given away for free despite putting up over 30+ even strength points over his last 82 games with limited minutes. With consistent PP time or top 6 minutes, he's basically a 40+ point player. And with both PP time + top 6 minutes he had a chance to potentially become a 45-50 point player which is great 2nd line production.

And now we're paying 5M between 2 4th line wingers who have a combined 2 playoff goals in almost 100 playoff games.
- Nucker101

It's weird?

Sbisa despite all his flaws, is at least a hard worker, physical and well liked by his coaches and teammates.

Kassian, massive coke head with no heart and disliked by coaches and teammates. Do you want the young players sitting next to that degenerate?

No Guys I am NOT talking about 10% overage or performance bonus.

I am 100% dead on that there was/is at least at one point a monetary penalty for being over the cap. I may have a few details mixed but it was there. The only thing Im not sure of is if its current CBA or old CBA cap system. It may be the old one.
I could be 2M penalty for being 1M over Im not sure anymore, but enough to be a deterrent. I think it got bigger the more you were over, like 15M for 4M over. It is or at least WAS in place at 1 point.

If it is the old one what is the current deterrent? Yes theres disallowing contracts etc and circumvention penalties of draft picks for those who try trickery, which is probably enough right there.
But lets say you didnt sign new players, simply qualifying RFAs etc and cap either shrunk a bit or didnt move much like this year and your players have an increase in contract already in place that bumps you over cap limit. What is the CURRENT penalty for being over?? There has to be 1 or teams would be over the cap or even slightly over for entire seasons not just the 10% allowance during first month.

So what is it?
- SMBDragon

The league has to approve every contract and trade. If a transaction puts a team over the cap, it is disallowed.

Come on man, I always respected your posting here but you know it's bad when you're reduced to this line and taking personal shots at people these days.

Mike Milbury was a professional. Ron Delorme is a professional. Professionals can be mediocre or bad at their jobs in many industries. Hell, the entire Canucks scouting staff are professionals yet they got out drafted by a method that simply involved drafting the highest ranked or highest scoring player.

You're better than that.
- Nucker101

Sorry man, I'm just tired of the whining.

We are getting what most of us have asked for for the last 2-3 years.

I think the success Benning has had with respect to the two drafts serves to underscore this is his area of srength - scouting and drafting of young talent. If he could just translate that success into the other areas of responsibility - like negotiations and contractual issues, he will have a successful tenure here in Vancouver.

However, at least as concerns me, he is now on a shorter leash than was the case when he just got on board with the Canucks (and I'm sure many people share the same sentiment). Let's face it, as a result of some of the moves he's made to date, he is going to be scrutinized that much more whatever his next transaction(s) will be (whether that is fair or not, this is the reality of being in a hardcore hockey market).
- Zogg

Are teams allowed to go over the 50 contract limit in the off season?

just asking because I noticed the Flyers have 51 contracts.

Sorry man, I'm just tired of the whining.

We are getting what most of us have asked for for the last 2-3 years.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Sorry man, I'm just tired of the whining.

We are getting what most of us have asked for for the last 2-3 years.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Some of us are. We can just agree to disagree and let it play out.


The Bieksa trade, Baertschi trade, Tanev contract are the moves I liked from the moments they happened. I liked this past draft more than last year's so while I'm still more anti-Benning than most here it's not Milbury-bad.

As a rule, that would be my ideal scenario too, but there are exceptions. If a Seabrook is available, I'd rather they make an offer.
- Gullzy

Yeah, having cap space is a huge asset. You can get quality players for way below market value prices in trades from cap teams and also sign potential UFA bargains. They can even be flipped for picks to speed up the rebuild. I love what TO did with Winnik and Santorelli last year. Watch them try to do the same with Parenteau this year.

Some of us are. We can just agree to disagree and let it play out.


The Bieksa trade, Baertschi trade, Tanev contract are the moves I liked from the moments they happened. I liked this past draft more than last year's so while I'm still more anti-Benning than most here it's not Milbury-bad.
- Nucker101

You have to understand that he's not going to be around to see the full completion of the rebuild. My guess is he's been given until the Sedins retire to get the franchise younger and stocked with enough talent to get ready to make another push for a Cup. None of his contracts (save for Tanev who's a special case since he's going to be a core piece for another 5-7 years) are longer than when the Sedins expire and by then, they'll be the only ones left of the 2011 core. And then once they're gone, he's gone and FA will hire a Brian Burke type to get the franchise to the top. As long as he does what he's good at, and doesn't hamper the franchise with long term contracts to UFAs, I'm fine with his moves.

He's not the most savvy GM around, but he doesn't have to be, since we aren't going to make a serious run, we don't need him to be. Just stay competitive, build and restock the minors with quality prospects and have them graduate to play in the NHL and it'll be fine.

It's weird?

Sbisa despite all his flaws, is at least a hard worker, physical and well liked by his coaches and teammates.

Kassian, massive coke head with no heart and disliked by coaches and teammates. Do you want the young players sitting next to that degenerate?
- CanuckDon

Everyone on here is wrong about Sbisa. He's not getting paid for potential or his comparables to other D men. His brilliant agent got a clause inserted in the contract that adds $1,000 to his salary every time his name is mentioned on HB. If this keeps up, he'll be in Toews range by August.

You have to understand that he's not going to be around to see the full completion of the rebuild. My guess is he's been given until the Sedins retire to get the franchise younger and stocked with enough talent to get ready to make another push for a Cup. None of his contracts (save for Tanev who's a special case since he's going to be a core piece for another 5-7 years) are longer than when the Sedins expire and by then, they'll be the only ones left of the 2011 core. And then once they're gone, he's gone and FA will hire a Brian Burke type to get the franchise to the top. As long as he does what he's good at, and doesn't hamper the franchise with long term contracts to UFAs, I'm fine with his moves.

He's not the most savvy GM around, but he doesn't have to be, since we aren't going to make a serious run, we don't need him to be. Just stay competitive, build and restock the minors with quality prospects and have them graduate to play in the NHL and it'll be fine.
- DariusKnight

I disagree. Unless Aquilini loses patience or Benning completely screws up, there is no reason to think he won't be here for awhile as long as the team makes progress. There have been a bunch of myths created over the past few months that people are convinced are true. The first is that Benning is a bad negotiator. Based on what? That he said the Sbisa or Dorsett negotiations were easy? WTF. Or he's paying these guys more than we think they should get paid? Or because he didn't get what a bunch of HB posters thought he should get for a given trade? File that under myth two that he is a poor asset manager. Again based on what? The Kesler trade? the Lack trade? The lack of Mathias trade?

Another potential myth that that is stated as fact (and this goes against Benning) is that he is this awesome scout. Again based on what? Because he likes scouting? Because his dad is a scout? Because he scouted Ryan Miller? Because Linden says so?

I think that it will be a few years before we'll have answers and be able to judge whether any of these myths deserve to be called facts. I think he'll have some misses and poor decisions and some hits as well. Some of his draft choices will be good and some won't. If he has more hits than misses he'll continue in his job. The Sedin retirements will have nothing to do with it. Of course if Aquilini gets tired or bored, then who knows.

I disagree. Unless Aquilini loses patience or Benning completely screws up, there is no reason to think he won't be here for awhile as long as the team makes progress. There have been a bunch of myths created over the past few months that people are convinced are true. The first is that Benning is a bad negotiator. Based on what? That he said the Sbisa or Dorsett negotiations were easy? WTF. Or he's paying these guys more than we think they should get paid? Or because he didn't get what a bunch of HB posters thought he should get for a given trade? File that under myth two that he is a poor asset manager. Again based on what? The Kesler trade? the Lack trade? The lack of Mathias trade?

Another potential myth that that is stated as fact (and this goes against Benning) is that he is this awesome scout. Again based on what? Because he likes scouting? Because his dad is a scout? Because he scouted Ryan Miller? Because Linden says so?

I think that it will be a few years before we'll have answers and be able to judge whether any of these myths deserve to be called facts. I think he'll have some misses and poor decisions and some hits as well. Some of his draft choices will be good and some won't. If he has more hits than misses he'll continue in his job. The Sedin retirements will have nothing to do with it. Of course if Aquilini gets tired or bored, then who knows.
- bazz

You have to look at his and WD's contracts, they run until the Sedin's run out. This is why I say he's going to be dropped as soon as they go.

You have to look at his and WD's contracts, they run until the Sedin's run out. This is why I say he's going to be dropped as soon as they go.
- DariusKnight

In that case, his tenure will likely be closely looked at, but he could easily be renewed if the direction of the team appears promising. What about Linden's contract? Have to think that if Linden sticks around, he would keep Benning as long as they continue to see eye to eye.

In that case, his tenure will likely be closely looked at, but he could easily be renewed if the direction of the team appears promising. What about Linden's contract? Have to think that if Linden sticks around, he would keep Benning as long as they continue to see eye to eye.
- bazz

Because Linden has interests outside of the organization, I don't see him sticking around for very long once the team is headed in the right direction. He's already getting an earful and eyeful of the Canuck faithful who second, triple, quadruple, and beyond every decision he and his management team takes.

Because Linden has interests outside of the organization, I don't see him sticking around for very long once the team is headed in the right direction. He's already getting an earful and eyeful of the Canuck faithful who second, triple, quadruple, and beyond every decision he and his management team takes.
- DariusKnight

If it were me, I would have been tempted to walk up to one of the townhall crybabies and said, "here you go. Fix it."! Handed him the keys to the office and left. I think Linden would like to give it a go and try to win a cup. Athletes like him are highly competitive and don't get to the level he got to by being satisfied by getting something going in the right direction and walking away. They want the prize. But Canucks fans could drive anyone out of town with all their crying.

If it were me, I would have been tempted to walk up to one of the townhall crybabies and said, "here you go. Fix it."! Handed him the keys to the office and left. I think Linden would like to give it a go and try to win a cup. Athletes like him are highly competitive and don't get to the level he got to by being satisfied by getting something going in the right direction and walking away. They want the prize. But Canucks fans could drive anyone out of town with all their crying.
- bazz

Oh I totally agree, I think for him, if he couldn't win it for Vancouver while he was still playing, he'd be totally fine with winning it as the President and face of the organization's management. I just remember that after he retired he wanted nothing to do with the team for years until FA had to beg him to leave his outside interests to take over as Club President.

The fact is, he had last summer as a honeymoon and now he's getting hit on all sides. Even for things he has no control over, he's getting hammered over, and I can see him throwing up his hands one day and saying, "F@ck this, I shed my blood, sweat and tears for this team... now I'm doing it a favor to try and get it to the place I couldn't as a player and this is what I have to put up with? Screw it, I'm going back to making a butt-ton of money in construction and fitness centers and the like and not have to deal with the schizophrenia that is this market.

Yeah, having cap space is a huge asset. You can get quality players for way below market value prices in trades from cap teams and also sign potential UFA bargains. They can even be flipped for picks to speed up the rebuild. I love what TO did with Winnik and Santorelli last year. Watch them try to do the same with Parenteau this year.
- Nucker101

Go back to the Flames thread.
You're endless drama is exhausting and beyond tedious.

Oh I totally agree, I think for him, if he couldn't win it for Vancouver while he was still playing, he'd be totally fine with winning it as the President and face of the organization's management. I just remember that after he retired he wanted nothing to do with the team for years until FA had to beg him to leave his outside interests to take over as Club President.

The fact is, he had last summer as a honeymoon and now he's getting hit on all sides. Even for things he has no control over, he's getting hammered over, and I can see him throwing up his hands one day and saying, "F@ck this, I shed my blood, sweat and tears for this team... now I'm doing it a favor to try and get it to the place I couldn't as a player and this is what I have to put up with? Screw it, I'm going back to making a butt-ton of money in construction and fitness centers and the like and not have to deal with the schizophrenia that is this market.
- DariusKnight

With all the whining and cr-p I see and hear from
Canuck fans, I sometimes want to throw my hands up and give up too. If people only saw the days of Curt Ridley and Jere Gillis they would likely do less complaining. Those were brutal times.

Go back to the Flames thread.
You're endless drama is exhausting and beyond tedious.
- Marwood

No

Go back to the Flames thread.
You're endless drama is exhausting and beyond tedious.
- Marwood

I'd rather leave. I'm banning myself for awhile, it will be a long summer of complaining before the season of complaining starts.

It's weird?

Sbisa despite all his flaws, is at least a hard worker, physical and well liked by his coaches and teammates.

Kassian, massive coke head with no heart and disliked by coaches and teammates. Do you want the young players sitting next to that degenerate?
- CanuckDon

There is nothing wrong with Sbisa being here for now. People cried, female doged and whined about Bieksa in his early times in Van too and he turned out just fine for alot of seasons.

There is nothing wrong with Sbisa being here for now. People cried, female doged and whined about Bieksa in his early times in Van too and he turned out just fine for alot of seasons.
- LordHumungous

Even through his growing pains, Bieksa was never near as bad as Sbisa is. Jus' sayin' is all

No Guys I am NOT talking about 10% overage or performance bonus.

I am 100% dead on that there was/is at least at one point a monetary penalty for being over the cap. I may have a few details mixed but it was there. The only thing Im not sure of is if its current CBA or old CBA cap system. It may be the old one.
I could be 2M penalty for being 1M over Im not sure anymore, but enough to be a deterrent. I think it got bigger the more you were over, like 15M for 4M over. It is or at least WAS in place at 1 point.

If it is the old one what is the current deterrent? Yes theres disallowing contracts etc and circumvention penalties of draft picks for those who try trickery, which is probably enough right there.
But lets say you didnt sign new players, simply qualifying RFAs etc and cap either shrunk a bit or didnt move much like this year and your players have an increase in contract already in place that bumps you over cap limit. What is the CURRENT penalty for being over?? There has to be 1 or teams would be over the cap or even slightly over for entire seasons not just the 10% allowance during first month.

So what is it?
- SMBDragon

You've made my day with these posts. Ten different people have answered your question in ten different ways but you're just not having it.