Nope.

I get what you're saying, but that's not true. I mostly hated the QB swap because i view both QB's as similar talents but one is injury prone and he gave up a higher pick. And I hated how much he spent at RB. The team he's assembled as a whole is still pretty talented though.
- Nucker101

Nucker are you drunk? You can question whether Bradford can stay healthy all you want. But straight up talent, there is no debating who is better.
PS. McCoy was slated to make 11 mill this yr and made it clear that he refused to rework his contract

Tough fishing in Bamfield today, two days in a row I haven't won a dime in the derby

Canucks will be a tougher team to play against, thus more entertaining, at least in my eyes. I don't know if they'll make the playoffs, but they'll be knocking on the door.
- LeftCoaster

Isn't "knocking on the door" the problem that some people on here have with JB's moves? Once again, I'm tired of celebrating mediocrity.

Isn't "knocking on the door" the problem that some people on here have with JB's moves? Once again, I'm tired of celebrating mediocrity.
- bloatedmosquito

Sore knuckles

Sore knuckles
- VANTEL

Canuck nation gushing about Bo and Jake. They were picked 8th and 6th I think. Those two are projected to be our most promising rookies. Got to get high draft picks to get talent if building through the draft is your strategy. Can't see that happening easily picking in the high teens every year.

Canuck nation gushing about Bo and Jake. They were picked 8th and 6th I think. Those two are projected to be our most promising rookies. Got to get high draft picks to get talent if building through the draft is your strategy. Can't see that happening easily picking in the high teens every year.
- bloatedmosquito

I am all for 2-3 years of a top five pick. I don't share the same views as most here. I stand firm on having two to three years of suckage or transitition

I am all for 2-3 years of a top five pick. I don't share the same views as most here. I stand firm on having two to three years of suckage or transitition
- VANTEL

Agreed. Not to say top five picks are guaranteed winners but the stats prove your chances of drafting an impact player increases exponentially.

I am all for 2-3 years of a top five pick. I don't share the same views as most here. I stand firm on having two to three years of suckage or transitition
- VANTEL

Yep

I am all for 2-3 years of a top five pick. I don't share the same views as most here. I stand firm on having two to three years of suckage or transitition
- VANTEL

Yeah...pretty much needs to happen.

Canuck nation gushing about Bo and Jake. They were picked 8th and 6th I think. Those two are projected to be our most promising rookies. Got to get high draft picks to get talent if building through the draft is your strategy. Can't see that happening easily picking in the high teens every year.
- bloatedmosquito

Anaheim wasn't built thru tanking, aka early picks.

Rakell, 1st rd 30th
Perry, 1st rd 28th
Getzlaf, 1st rd 19th
Fowler, 1st rd 12th
Lindhom, 1st rd 6th
Vatanen, 4th rd 106th (why do I think he is what Forsling could be like)
Gibson, 2nd 39th
Andersen, 3rd 87th

They are built around 2 late 1st rd picks. Everyone else was acquired through trade or FA. This last draft was built as the best since 2003 (getz/perry) draft. Btw, Boeser looks like the real deal.

I can find other teams too. Sure it helps to have the Chicago and Pittsburgh model. But it can be done other ways as well. You can argue Pitt got lucky in those lotteries, but weren't shrewd enough (if thats the right word) in their other picks. Just a top heavy team that has climbed the mountain only once. Chicago was able to add more in the later rounds. Thus, allowing them to win, tear down, rebuild and win again through great drafting.

Benning is sure leaving us with alot of questions, regarding his trading history. But don't tell me he's not a great scout. I have full confidence in his selections.

Lets see what happens this year. Alot of expiring contracts. This offseason will be the real transition year. How many picks will The Canucks have going into next years draft? How much cap space will be there (looks like tons).

I know I'm rambling on, must be the strong coffee.....All the picks traded away so far were for players to help fill in that age gap this team is missing. Having essentially nothing to show in drafts since Sedins, Benning has been restocking the 22-24 age group. Players like Sutter, Baertschi, Vey and Pedan were acquired to help fill the void. Now, with these players in the fold, and some youth on the way (5 1st rd picks in 3 years), Benning will be able to stockpile more picks, rather than trade them away.

Lets see what happens.

But, would I like a few more early picks? Yes

There are a few good dman projected to go early next year. Would be nice to see the Canucks with more than 1 1st rd pick next year as well. Ditto for rd 2 and or 3.

Anaheim wasn't built thru tanking, aka early picks.

Rakell, 1st rd 30th
Perry, 1st rd 28th
Getzlaf, 1st rd 19th
Fowler, 1st rd 12th
Lindhom, 1st rd 6th
Vatanen, 4th rd 106th (why do I think he is what Forsling could be like)
Gibson, 2nd 39th
Andersen, 3rd 87th

They are built around 2 late 1st rd picks. Everyone else was acquired through trade or FA. This last draft was built as the best since 2003 (getz/perry) draft. Btw, Boeser looks like the real deal.

I can find other teams too. Sure it helps to have the Chicago and Pittsburgh model. But it can be done other ways as well. You can argue Pitt got lucky in those lotteries, but weren't shrewd enough (if thats the right word) in their other picks. Just a top heavy team that has climbed the mountain only once. Chicago was able to add more in the later rounds. Thus, allowing them to win, tear down, rebuild and win again through great drafting.

Benning is sure leaving us with alot of questions, regarding his trading history. But don't tell me he's not a great scout. I have full confidence in his selections.

Lets see what happens this year. Alot of expiring contracts. This offseason will be the real transition year. How many picks will The Canucks have going into next years draft? How much cap space will be there (looks like tons).

I know I'm rambling on, must be the strong coffee.....All the picks traded away so far were for players to help fill in that age gap this team is missing. Having essentially nothing to show in drafts since Sedins, Benning has been restocking the 22-24 age group. Players like Sutter, Baertschi, Vey and Pedan were acquired to help fill the void. Now, with these players in the fold, and some youth on the way (5 1st rd picks in 3 years), Benning will be able to stockpile more picks, rather than trade them away.

Lets see what happens.
- storm88

ANA never had boat anchor contracts and NMC/NTC weighing them down or handcuffing them. They never felt the need to hand out 3 Rd liners NTC and four year deals. They never had the goaltending issues that Canucks have.

They have been able to mostly fly under the radar and not be front page news 365 days a year.

They never felt the pressure before to win now and move picks.

Vancouver is a unique city and can't really be compared to a state that really only became interested in hockey in the last decade

But, would I like a few more early picks? Yes

There are a few good dman projected to go early next year. Would be nice to see the Canucks with more than 1 1st rd pick next year as well. Ditto for rd 2 and or 3.
- storm88

Alot of good defenceman for next years draft, hoping we get a more first rounders aswell to draft a couple of them.

People use the Blackhawks as an example of how teams need to tank in order to win, but they are possibly the best example of how tanking doesn't guarantee anything and how luck and great drafting in rounds 2 and beyond is more important.

The Blackhawks truly lucked out when they got Toews and Kane. With hindsight, is there any way Toews slips to #3? Complete luck. And when they got Kane they moved up from #5 via the draft lottery. That's Oilers sized luck. Anyone remember who went #5 that year? How different would the Hawks be with Karl Alzner instead of Kane?

Even more luck would be that they not only got these two, but they also happen to be such amazing compliments to each other style wise. The amazing 2 way center and the superstar sniper / playmaker. Unbelievable luck.

How easily they could have tanked 2 consecutive years, ended up with a #3 and #5 pick, and walked away with Jordan Staal and Karl Alzner.

Look at the other parts that have been so vital to their success. Keith, Seabrook, Crawford, Byfuglien, Ladd, etc. All drafted beyond the 1st round.

Getting top draft picks helps, but tanking is massively risky and there is no guaranteed payoff. Plus, not only do you have to put your fan base through it, but you also have to put the players in your system into that losing environment.

The Kings seem to have done pretty well considering only 1 of their top 10 picks really panned out.

Alot of good defenceman for next years draft, hoping we get a more first rounders aswell to draft a couple of them.
- phyllee

We need a top pairing dman, then the next draft another one...

ANA never had boat anchor contracts and NMC/NTC weighing them down or handcuffing them. They never felt the need to hand out 3 Rd liners NTC and four year deals. They never had the goaltending issues that Canucks have.

They have been able to mostly fly under the radar and not be front page news 365 days a year.

They never felt the pressure before to win now and move picks.

Vancouver is a unique city and can't really be compared to a state that really only became interested in hockey in the last decade
- VANTEL

More or less.

ANA always had superb asset management. They have in fact moved Heavy contracts both before and after they have come into effect without hesitation. I.E:

Pronger.
Allowing Penner's Offer sheet.
Kunitz.
Ryan.
etc all the while maintaining a competitive roster for the most part.

We need a top pairing dman, then the next draft another one...
- hillbillydeluxe

Isn't "knocking on the door" the problem that some people on here have with JB's moves? Once again, I'm tired of celebrating mediocrity.
- bloatedmosquito

I haven't read one poster say, holy bat guano Benning has nailed every move he's made, yes yes yes we will be mired in mediocrity for ever, this is awesome.

But I certainly have seen posters in here demand change, expect change, will not support the team until change is made. Then lo and behold change is made, but now it's the change will not make us tank for a top 3, the change will not take us to the holy grail, the change is an over payment, the change is the player is not quality enough, so these individuals that perceive they know better and could do better really need to stop being hypocritical.

Not sure when people are going to get it, who here is celebrating mediocrity.

ANA never had boat anchor contracts and NMC/NTC weighing them down or handcuffing them. They never felt the need to hand out 3 Rd liners NTC and four year deals. They never had the goaltending issues that Canucks have.

They have been able to mostly fly under the radar and not be front page news 365 days a year.

They never felt the pressure before to win now and move picks.

Vancouver is a unique city and can't really be compared to a state that really only became interested in hockey in the last decade
- VANTEL

Damn Benning sure handcuff this team by doing all that...

The new Draft Lottery format will help. the top 3 picks will now be drawn. don't have to totally tank for a bottom pick. The Canucks may be in this situation when the Sedins move on. I like what we have coming in the system (F wise). But to say we have oodles of 1st line talent on the way, would be inaccurate. Certainly nothing high D wise.

The Canucks don't need to tank this year or following years, but they should look at the next 2 years and manage their assets as best they can.

They should be able to get great return for pending UFAs Vrbata and Hamhuis, a 1st rd pick each at bare minimum. Not moving both would be a travesty.

If there's an opportunity to flip Miller at the TDL, do it. Same with Higgins and Prust. I'm still curious to see if Sbisa can make some improvements this season, but if not, the TDL would be the best opportunity to find a team in need of a D to offload him on (might even get something back too).

There should be more optimism around this team. Horvat, Virtanen, Boeser, McCann, Baertschi, Cassels, Corrado. The cupboards are slowly getting filled again. Just think how much three 1st rd picks this year would help (if we flip Vrbata and Hamhuis)!

ANA never had boat anchor contracts and NMC/NTC weighing them down or handcuffing them. They never felt the need to hand out 3 Rd liners NTC and four year deals. They never had the goaltending issues that Canucks have.

They have been able to mostly fly under the radar and not be front page news 365 days a year.

They never felt the pressure before to win now and move picks.

Vancouver is a unique city and can't really be compared to a state that really only became interested in hockey in the last decade
- VANTEL

Anaheim took the time to develop and not trade their mid/late 1st round picks as well as made several savvy moves to trade valuable vets at the deadline for picks and prospects.

The Canucks don't need to tank this year or following years, but they should look at the next 2 years and manage their assets as best they can.

They should be able to get great return for pending UFAs Vrbata and Hamhuis, a 1st rd pick each at bare minimum. Not moving both would be a travesty.

If there's an opportunity to flip Miller at the TDL, do it. Same with Higgins and Prust. I'm still curious to see if Sbisa can make some improvements this season, but if not, the TDL would be the best opportunity to find a team in need of a D to offload him on (might even get something back too).

There should be more optimism around this team. Horvat, Virtanen, Boeser, McCann, Baertschi, Cassels, Corrado. The cupboards are slowly getting filled again. Just think how much three 1st rd picks this year would help (if we flip Vrbata and Hamhuis)!
- KB3Point0

Just using the past 2 yrs as a reference point, Hamhuis should draw a 1st plus but I doubt Vrbata does. A 2nd and prospect

The Canucks don't need to tank this year or following years, but they should look at the next 2 years and manage their assets as best they can.

They should be able to get great return for pending UFAs Vrbata and Hamhuis, a 1st rd pick each at bare minimum. Not moving both would be a travesty.

If there's an opportunity to flip Miller at the TDL, do it. Same with Higgins and Prust. I'm still curious to see if Sbisa can make some improvements this season, but if not, the TDL would be the best opportunity to find a team in need of a D to offload him on (might even get something back too).

There should be more optimism around this team. Horvat, Virtanen, Boeser, McCann, Baertschi, Cassels, Corrado. The cupboards are slowly getting filled again. Just think how much three 1st rd picks this year would help (if we flip Vrbata and Hamhuis)!
- KB3Point0

It would really speed up the rebuild on the fly,Benning even said last year he expects this draft to be as deep or deeper then 2015, so even extra second and thirds would help, alot of good picks fell into the second round

I haven't read one poster say, holy bat guano Benning has nailed every move he's made, yes yes yes we will be mired in mediocrity for ever, this is awesome.

But I certainly have seen posters in here demand change, expect change, will not support the team until change is made. Then lo and behold change is made, but now it's the change will not make us tank for a top 3, the change will not take us to the holy grail, the change is an over payment, the change is the player is not quality enough, so these individuals that perceive they know better and could do better really need to stop being hypocritical.

Not sure when people are going to get it, who here is celebrating mediocrity.
- Makita

Exactly.

I haven't read one poster say, holy bat guano Benning has nailed every move he's made, yes yes yes we will be mired in mediocrity for ever, this is awesome.

But I certainly have seen posters in here demand change, expect change, will not support the team until change is made. Then lo and behold change is made, but now it's the change will not make us tank for a top 3, the change will not take us to the holy grail, the change is an over payment, the change is the player is not quality enough, so these individuals that perceive they know better and could do better really need to stop being hypocritical.

Not sure when people are going to get it, who here is celebrating mediocrity.
- Makita

Can't remember if it was Booner, Lefty or another the other day who referred to the age and reaction of posters. Guys who have been around the block a bit, seen the good times sprinkled in with a lot of bad times might be more patient with JB and his moves.

Younger guys might have greater expectations, older guys might have gotten used to the disappointment of losing.

There is not one set way to build a winning team. I hope JB can get it done, but it is going to take some time with mistakes and little successes along the way.