I liked him. But if he has a drug/alcohol problem then I can fully understand why they cut ties with him since he's not an elite talent or anything. It's the targeting of Prust that I don't like. He looks washed up.
- Nucker101

He is a vet that ISN'T fighting for a roster spot. He is 31 not 35. Let's give him a couple weeks to get his legs going before you determine he is washed up.

Exactly. And if the other guy has a history of overpaying a bit, chances are he'll do it again.
- Nucker101

So is your argument that others will take advantage of him because they've seen him take what they perceived as less value in return, or that he will take less value over and over because you feel he did it once (or more than once, before you go off on a tangent)?

Good to see the female doging is still going full throttle, and a real game hasn't even been played yet.

I don't question his determination but man he looks too slow to make a hit so far. By the time he gets to the dman, the puck was already on another player's stick. I just hope he's coasting.
- Nucker101

All the vets are coasting. All the vets always coast. If they aren't all coasting, we have WAY bigger problems than Prust and Sbisa cause we ain't gonna score any goals this year!

That's fair. My only issues is that Prust takes a spot from a younger player.
- Nucker101

Maybe from JV? He is the grit JB wants in the lineup. I'd say Higgins or Higgins might be more in the way (was going to put Hansen in there, but thought this looked better).

I thought you guy's loved him?
- walshyleafsfan

I still do.

-- a bit franked in the head BUT

he has Soft hands & he has a good cycle game down low, and he is really tough to knock off the puck in the offensive zone.

All the vets are coasting. All the vets always coast. If they aren't all coasting, we have WAY bigger problems than Prust and Sbisa cause we ain't gonna score any goals this year!
- KB3Point0

Some of the fringe guys think they are vets...

That's fair. My only issues is that Prust takes a spot from a younger player.
- Nucker101

I don't think that many young players have forced management's hand yet. As far as forwards go, I think Gaunce has earned a spot and McCann has earned the right to up to 9 games to show that he can continue to do in the regular season what he's done in the pretend season.

Miller handles it just fine. He's a professional. We are hard on our goalies yes but its the NHL you have to be ready for the limelight in any of the Canadian cities.
- thundachunk

Miller has a rep for the fan and media pressure not getting under his skin and not being too hard on himself over slumps etc... it took Lucic running him like a freight train half way to the C line to finally get him to show some emotions.

It very well could be one of the reasons he was brought in. This market beats on their Gt's like a red headed step child... maybe they wanted at least one GT who could put up with the inevitable controversy that will commence every season regardless of the players, results and situations.... I can remember the Troy Gamble-Kirk Mclean controversy and every season after that no matter how bad or good things were...

Maybe from JV? He is the grit JB wants in the lineup. I'd say Higgins or Higgins might be more in the way (was going to put Hansen in there, but thought this looked better).
- hillbillydeluxe

Higgins and JV ( at this point) do very different things.

JV(at this point) and Prust/Dorsett do very similar things.

Obviously it is really hard to know during the summer if JV was ready for the 4th line but Grenier/Kenins/Gaunce were all in the mix as well.

Hope that McCann and Hutton can start the season with the Canucks.

"Hutton led all defencemen with a 67% Corsi rating. Barkowski was at 40%, and Corrado 36%."

So is your argument that others will take advantage of him because they've seen him take what they perceived as less value in return, or that he will take less value over and over because you feel he did it once (or more than once, before you go off on a tangent)?
- KB3Point0

I appreciate him throwing in the sweeteners just to get some deals done. It was painful hearing the rumours that Luongo wasn't getting traded over some tiny detail here, or some team didn't accept our 'best' offer there. The team needed turnover and hes paying minor prices (2-4% chances on NHL players, or 10ish% overvalued signings) to make it happen. At this stage where the team stands, I am perfectly ok with that

Some of the fringe guys think they are vets...

- hillbillydeluxe

True!

But in the end, a guy like Corrado can improve last game, continue to improve the next two, be ready for game 1 and it won't matter whatsoever that he was rusty in the first week.

Higgins and JV ( at this point) do very different things.

JV(at this point) and Prust/Dorsett do very similar things.

Obviously it is really hard to know during the summer if JV was ready for the 4th line but Grenier/Kenins/Gaunce were all in the mix as well.
- belcherbd

Sorry, that was not my intended meaning. Was thinking Prust might be in the way of JV, but Higgins is in the way of Gaunce, maybe putting Vey there and then getting McCann on the 4th line...

I wouldn't mind seeing Grenier get some time on the 3rd or 4th line.

Look at all our bottom 2 line wingers, I'd like to replace any of them with a McCann, Grenier or Gaunce, maybe McCann.

I think JV should go back to Jr to work on his game. I don't know if McCann has the body to handle the grind, but think he has the skill.

Sbisa for Luke schenn, ,basically same dollar and schenns contract is shorter.
I think bennings worst mistake is trading kassian and a fifth for prust. Woulda prefured draft picks.
- phyllee

Prust will bring in a better pick at the deadline. ZK is one dimentional with hands of stone. Seriously. He's great <5 ft from the net but pretty useless elsewhere. Prust will contribute everything ZK could AND kill penalties AND play defense AND will set a good example in the room. At a minimum he's flipped for a 3rd Rounder at the deadline.

Toast.

True!

But in the end, a guy like Corrado can improve last game, continue to improve the next two, be ready for game 1 and it won't matter whatsoever that he was rusty in the first week.
- KB3Point0

a rookie might take that opportunity away from him, he has a spool less rope than Sbisa, Weber or Bartkowski.

I appreciate him throwing in the sweeteners just to get some deals done. It was painful hearing the rumours that Luongo wasn't getting traded over some tiny detail here, or some team didn't accept our 'best' offer there. The team needed turnover and hes paying minor prices (2-4% chances on NHL players, or 10ish% overvalued signings) to make it happen. At this stage where the team stands, I am perfectly ok with that
- WhiteLie

I think that argument works when you are getting the best player in the deal.

So far the Canucks have given up the best player in many deals while adding those extra's you mention.

I will never understand why Benning has to add picks into deals. Otherwise I don't hate the trades.

-- We should have been receiving the 5th round pick in that deal for Kassian, not giving it away
-- Not sure why we had to include a 3rd in the Kesler trade
-- Giving a 2nd in the Sutter trade was very very odd.
- classic321

It's the position the Canucks are in and that started before Benning got here. Not all the trades have picks leaving but this team is generally in a position of weakness and the other GM's know Benning will make the move just to get the player he wants on or in Kassians case... off the team...

Kesler with Gillis NTC and asked to be traded while MG was still here says he will only go to the Ducks. He was open to more teams early when Gillis wouldnt move him...

Bieksa with Gillis NTC says he will only go to the west coast. Best deal falls through because Wilson doubled back on him... position even further weakened...

Kassian brought in by Gillis is snorting lines with fans in the bathroom at clubs and GM's know this going all the way back to his days on the Sabres farm team. Now it's a case of what will you give me to take a risk on him...not what do you want for that young player...

Bonino who's part of the Gillis/Kesler (frank) around was probably not a player WD wanted to roll with,,, Benning didnt waste time haggling over a pick. Sutter is received in this league much better than Bonino... regarless of hios pre season showing on his new team...

you should get the point... picking up the pieces that were the previous GM's work puts you in a vulnerable position... GM's squeeze a little more out of you..

I think that argument works when you are getting the best player in the deal.

So far the Canucks have given up the best player in many deals while adding those extra's you mention.
- belcherbd

I agree

Hopefully Sutter starts pouring it on soon
Because he hasn't shown anything to show he is better than Bonino.

It's the position the Canucks are in and that started before Benning got here. Not all the trades have picks leaving but this team is generally in a position of weakness and the other GM's know Benning will make the move just to get the player he wants on or in Kassians case... off the team...

Kesler with Gillis NTC and asked to be traded while MG was still here says he will only go to the Ducks. He was open to more teams early when Gillis wouldnt move him...

Bieksa with Gillis NTC says he will only go to the west coast. Best deal falls through because Wilson doubled back on him... position even further weakened...

Kassian brought in by Gillis is snorting lines with fans in the bathroom at clubs and GM's know this going all the way back to his days on the Sabres farm team. Now it's a case of what will you give me to take a risk on him...not what do you want for that young player...

Bonino who's part of the Gillis/Kesler (frank) around was probably not a player WD wanted to roll with,,, Benning didnt waste time haggling over a pick. Sutter is received in this league much better than Bonino... regarless of hios pre season showing on his new team...

you should get the point... picking up the pieces that were the previous GM's work puts you in a vulnerable position... GM's squeeze a little more out of you..
- boonerbuck

EXACTLY

Maybe our GM should start taking some time haggling, seeing as he stated he loves draft picks more than any other GM.

I think that argument works when you are getting the best player in the deal.

So far the Canucks have given up the best player in many deals while adding those extra's you mention.
- belcherbd

True, thats usually the case, but I was thinking along the lines of booner that bodies wanted to be moved and in some cases you do what you can to make it happen. With those guys gone we have a chance to talk about prospects like Gaunce, McCann, Markstrom, Hutton making the team which is the direction we all want them to go

EXACTLY

Maybe our GM should start taking some time haggling, seeing as he stated he loves draft picks more than any other GM.
- classic321

He needs that time for more important things

I can understand how some people think that trading Garrison was necessary but I have no idea how you can call it a great move. Ignoring what he did with the 2nd round pick, he got bad value for a very effective player and still ended including a draft pick in the deal.

Unless you think Desjardin was the one who targeted Sbisa a as a "top 4 D" then that has to be on Benning as well, the decision to resign him before playoffs and after a brutal season is likely on the whole mgmt group but Benning ultimately is the one who is responsible.

Benning also called Bonino a fundamental piece, top 6 C etc. and said he was key to the Kesler trade.... If Bonino didn't work out here and expected him to be a part of this team long term then that is an example of his player evaluation.

I'm fully on board with giving Benning time for his moves to show their true colors but suggesting that the players he has brought in, signed, resigned are not fair to judge him on is strange.... what else would you judge him on?
- belcherbd

So it works out that JB moved Garrison's salary for a shot at a young rookie who just had a big AHL career... Vey not working out is hind sight but the move was not a bad one at the time. Looking back... it probably is a fail. Acceptable fail though... and there still is a chance he gets points this season and a pick comes back... long shot I know... and not a second naturally... but softens the blow.

Sbisa should have been let go if they couldnt trade him for something. It's clearly a mistake at the money he's making. How costly is the mistake? Not very... it's short term and they can still release him at any time to make room for a new body to step in. They are not cornered by it what so ever.

Bonino.... no one should care what he said... GM's talk... they try and boost value and same goes on the players confidence... I tend to look at the actions and he's gone after one season...

You are right... it's fair to judge him on what he's done so far. Whats not fair is not giving the situations he's in full consideration.

I agree

Hopefully Sutter starts pouring it on soon
Because he hasn't shown anything to show he is better than Bonino.
- classic321

I disagree, I think Sutter will be better suited to help this team than Bonino was.

I don't like the premature contract extension or that we had to sweeten the pot but think that our team needed speed and 2way play more than it needed Bonino's offense.