I assume we're going to get a good'ish pick this year, which would be three good picks in three the past four years, top ten. People need to be as patient with rebuilding on the fly as they do with a complete tear-down.

I'm really optimistic with Benning drafting, but, it's still gonna take four or five years, of good management, before the team is competitive again.

I assume we're going to get a good'ish pick this year, which would be three good picks in three the past four years, top ten. People need to be as patient with rebuilding on the fly as they do with a complete tear-down.

I'm really optimistic with Benning drafting, but, it's still gonna take four or five years, of good management, before the team is competitive again.
- LeftCoaster

It's probably 4 years if they continue to surround the youth with vets to help them along. Other than the Sedins, there won't be too many vets leading the way but it's still important to have them mentor the youth.

I assume we're going to get a good'ish pick this year, which would be three good picks in three the past four years, top ten. People need to be as patient with rebuilding on the fly as they do with a complete tear-down.

I'm really optimistic with Benning drafting, but, it's still gonna take four or five years, of good management, before the team is competitive again.
- LeftCoaster

Benning has done a good job. It is the ownership that is slow. Again this turnover should have begun in 2012.

There is no reason why Genier is not on this team this year instead of Higgins. Grenier is putting up points almost every game on the Comets while Higgins does nothing

It's probably 4 years if they continue to surround the youth with vets to help them along. Other than the Sedins, there won't be too many vets leading the way but it's still important to have them mentor the youth.
- golfingsince

Yes for sure, they'll still need that veteran presence but they need some much better/younger defencemen in the organization.

Weakest links, in order, in the organization would be defence, wing and then center.

Benning has done a good job. It is the ownership that is slow. Again this turnover should have begun in 2012.

There is no reason why Genier is not on this team this year instead of Higgins. Grenier is putting up points almost every game on the Comets while Higgins does nothing
- VANTEL

I think last year Benning still thought they could compete, I don't believe he's of the same mindset anymore. Higgins will be gone at the TDL or this summer.

Next year they'll inject more youth IMO.

Yes for sure, they'll still need that veteran presence but they need some much better/younger defencemen in the organization.

Weakest links, in order, in the organization would be defence, wing and then center.
- LeftCoaster

I agree. They need about 3 top D prospects that they don't have.......

I think last year Benning still thought they could compete, I don't believe he's of the same mindset anymore. Higgins will be gone at the TDL or this summer.

Next year they'll inject more youth IMO.
- LeftCoaster

My point is fans have been patient. It should have started years ago. We knew back when the Sharks and Kings kicked our asses in the playoffs we needed change.

Higgins and Vrbata should have been gone last summer and probably Hamhuis too. We have a bad habit of waiting too long to move players.

I agree on that part.

The risk is Chiarelli and his rep 'if' Kassian ends up making him look like an idiot. It's all good and fine to get your act together in the AHL but in the show it's a different story.

EDM has been through enough crap since 2006 I'm not sure they would want another issue if Kassian decides to pull another brain fart once he makes it back to the NHL.

There is always some form of risk involved when it comes to rehabbing players.
- LordHumungous

I was thinking very similar prior to reading this post. more so in the way that edmonton has way too many young players that could be influenced by kassians activities if hes not following his rehab. edmonton tends to be a habitual party town too, perhaps not the best landing spot for him.

Id say its too much risk for them.

ALthough he might just fit right in on the kings roster

My point is fans have been patient. It should have started years ago. We knew back when the Sharks and Kings kicked our asses in the playoffs we needed change.

Higgins and Vrbata should have been gone last summer and probably Hamhuis too. We have a bad habit of waiting too long to move players.
- VANTEL

I don't agree with you on several points though, 2012 they won the Presidents Trophy, you don't tear down a PT winning team, you retool it. And besides, Benning wasn't in charge then so it's hard to complain about it when the guy that was in charge got fired for his ineptitude.

Secondly, I'm all for getting rid of those three players, but I'm not sure Benning felt our youth was ready enough to let them go last summer. Today I'd guess he feels much more comfortable with the idea.

Hopefully they're all gone at the TDL.

I don't agree with you on several points though, 2012 they won the Presidents Trophy, you don't tear down a PT winning team, you retool it. And besides, Benning wasn't in charge then so it's hard to complain about it when the guy that was in charge got fired for his ineptitude.

Secondly, I'm all for getting rid of those three players, but I'm not sure Benning felt our youth was ready enough to let them go last summer. Today I'd guess he feels much more comfortable with the idea.

Hopefully they're all gone at the TDL.
- LeftCoaster

I'd rather have Hamhuis resign at a discount for 2 years, maybe 3 to help mentor the youth. His demise is greatly exaggerated.

I don't agree with you on several points though, 2012 they won the Presidents Trophy, you don't tear down a PT winning team, you retool it. And besides, Benning wasn't in charge then so it's hard to complain about it when the guy that was in charge got fired for his ineptitude.

Secondly, I'm all for getting rid of those three players, but I'm not sure Benning felt our youth was ready enough to let them go last summer. Today I'd guess he feels much more comfortable with the idea.

Hopefully they're all gone at the TDL.
- LeftCoaster

We won't the
Presidents trophy because we played in the softest division in the NHL . Back then the Oilers Flames and Avs were horrible. They didn't make any adjustments whatsoever . They should have back then made one or two moves instead of being stuck 4 years later needing to make 10 moves. Upgrade every year.

Why are you waiting until TDL to move a Vrbata or Higgins? Why not this week? Higgins is going to get zero return so why wait until TDL. Montreal are struggling now so why not take Tinordi and the third before they get a better option or he gets injured?

I'd rather have Hamhuis resign at a discount for 2 years, maybe 3 to help mentor the youth. His demise is greatly exaggerated.
- golfingsince

I wouldn't . I don't hate our D as much as most people here. I don't like Weber.

We need tougher bigger faster. Hamhuis is none of that. I would rather hire him as a coach

I wouldn't . I don't hate our D as much as most people here. I don't like Weber.

We need tougher bigger faster. Hamhuis is none of that. I would rather hire him as a coach
- VANTEL

Unless he fetches a huge return he's much better served mentoring and taking the pressure off of some young D.

I'd love to trade him if he'll re-sign in the summer.

It's not like the fountain of youth is glimmering with D prospects to take his place.

We won't the
Presidents trophy because we played in the softest division in the NHL . Back then the Oilers Flames and Avs were horrible. They didn't make any adjustments whatsoever . They should have back then made one or two moves instead of being stuck 4 years later needing to make 10 moves. Upgrade every year.

Why are you waiting until TDL to move a Vrbata or Higgins? Why not this week? Higgins is going to get zero return so why wait until TDL. Montreal are struggling now so why not take Tinordi and the third before they get a better option or he gets injured?
- VANTEL

Probly can't find a dance partner, it's not as easy as you make it out to be

And we won the PT because we had a winning record against every division in the league.

I'd rather have Hamhuis resign at a discount for 2 years, maybe 3 to help mentor the youth. His demise is greatly exaggerated.
- golfingsince

I'd like to move on personally. For what it'll cost, even at a discount, you can't find better help back there.

Unless he fetches a huge return he's much better served mentoring and taking the pressure off of some young D.

I'd love to trade him if he'll re-sign in the summer.

It's not like the fountain of youth is glimmering with D prospects to take his place.
- golfingsince

I think a team like Edmonton or some other bottom team is going to give him a 3-4 year deal at 4.5 .

I will be honest I don't mind Bartowski coming back at 1.5 and take a longer look at Pedan.

I think Edler Tanev Biega and Hutton can carry the bulk of the team.

We still have Sbisa for two more years also

I don't mind the D at all.

With Hamhuis and Vrbata money you can find a better option than Hammer. Maybe a guy like Yandle or a trade

Probly can't find a dance partner, it's not as easy as you make it out to be

And we won the PT because we had a winning record against every division in the league.
- LeftCoaster

Exactly so waive the frigger and take your loses. Grenier putting up a point each game deserves his spot or Gaunce

Exactly so waive the frigger and take your loses. Grenier putting up a point each game deserves his spot or Gaunce
- VANTEL

It may come down to that if they feel a player like Gaunce is now ready, his improvements from last year are large in my mind.

It may come down to that if they feel a player like Gaunce is now ready, his improvements from last year are large in my mind.
- LeftCoaster

He plays bigger and drives the net a lot better. As we seen this year we don't miss Higgins at all when he is gone.

Putting him on waivers will either free up cap space if picked up or he can Mentor the youth on the Comets . They have very little leadership

I wouldn't . I don't hate our D as much as most people here. I don't like Weber.

We need tougher bigger faster. Hamhuis is none of that. I would rather hire him as a coach
- VANTEL

Good idea....I think hammer would make a fine coach indeed

He plays bigger and drives the net a lot better. As we seen this year we don't miss Higgins at all when he is gone.

Putting him on waivers will either free up cap space if picked up or he can Mentor the youth on the Comets . They have very little leadership
- VANTEL

I'm not apposed to that all, but I don't think you'll see Linden and Benning treating a vet like that, right or wrong.

The sooner they get rid of him the better they'll be because it opens up a spot. I don't care how they do it, but it needs to be done IMO and I'd have done it by now if I was in charge.

I'm not apposed to that all, but I don't think you'll see Linden and Benning treating a vet like that, right or wrong.

The sooner they get rid of him the better they'll be because it opens up a spot. I don't care how they do it, but it needs to be done IMO and I'd have done it by now if I was in charge.
- LeftCoaster

They are in a playoff race. I hope JB and TL are not worried about Higgins feelings

Joking

They are in a playoff race. I hope JB and TL are not worried about Higgins feelings

Joking
- VANTEL

I don't think they're worried about his feelings but I think they'd be worried about completely de-valuing a player they may get a draft pick for. Even if it's a 5th rounder.

Jamie Benn was a 5th rounder

I assume we're going to get a good'ish pick this year, which would be three good picks in three the past four years, top ten. People need to be as patient with rebuilding on the fly as they do with a complete tear-down.

I'm really optimistic with Benning drafting, but, it's still gonna take four or five years, of good management, before the team is competitive again.
- LeftCoaster

We still need to pick top 10 for a few more years though...maybe 3.

As much as I like Markstrom I really think it will be Demko that gets us back to the top 10 in the league. we are looking at 3-5 years IMO. A couple of shrewd trades and some good scouting and picking and we should be back at it.

It's convincing the Aquafeenis that drafting and developing is the way to go...that will be a problem.

I don't think they're worried about his feelings but I think they'd be worried about completely de-valuing a player they may get a draft pick for. Even if it's a 5th rounder.

Jamie Benn was a 5th rounder
- LeftCoaster

I believe the rumor that they tried shopping him in the summer and no takers. I don't see a GM stepping in when he is playing even worst. I would be shocked if any team wanted him. Look at the UFAs that are still available today. They can be had for free.