Man... 11 pages and it's mostly trolling from Leaf fans, ex-fans and Benning-haters. This city really has an inferiority complex when it comes to the Canucks. The myopia and bi-polarism in a huge portion of the fanbase is staggering to me. How else can you look at a 19 year-old prospect who had the worst game he's had, in a tournament not exactly suited for his style of game, when he's clearly having confidence issues and then rip him and call him a bust, unbelievable.

Is he going to be the best player in that draft? Of course not, and he's going to have a lot of ups and downs to deal with, he's a (frank)ing power forward for Christ's sake. Those types of players take longer to develop than an Ehlers, Ritchie or Nylander type. Bo's having an off year too, are we calling him a bust? Could it be that because we lack talent on the team due to salary cap constraints that we're just not ABLE to provide the best opportunity for JM, JV and Horvat?

Some of us need to get our heads out of our calculators, take off our armchair Head Coach and GM hats, put down the controller for the XBONE or PS4 and realize that we are a team in transition. The league also is in a state of transition, we have to learn to accept that not every decision that WD or JB makes is going to work out. Chances are in 2-3 years they won't even be here anymore. But let's not kid ourselves and say that they're worse then what came before, teams hire GMs and HCs to be fired and the shelf lives are short.
- DariusKnight

So very true but if I may quote The Allman Brothers Band, they are "Wasted Words" on many anti-Benning trolls, especially Phucker & his side kick.

Especially given the fact that he had a large contract and NTC. That said, Kapanen has the tools to be an effective top 6 winger, and Harrington has second line upside, so I can't say that it was terrible... I'd have just liked it if there was a true blue-chipper in there. There's still another pick to come our way though, and the Leafs shake up of the scouting ranks and new direction of drafting may also produce someone useful.
- lumlums

What's the deal with the pick?
If Pits makes the playoffs y'all get a second rounder?

What's the general consensus on JB from the Nuck fans? Seems like folks outside of Van have been pretty brutal, is that echoed from within? What would be his best/worst moves to date?
- lumlums

I don't mind him. He's working with what he's got, which frankly ain't much.

I greatly appreciate is penchant for drafting/scouting, which outside of maybe Gillis' last draft has been pretty non-existent for a decade.

Worse: Though i had high hopes for it at the time, trading Forsling for Clendenning turned out to be bad. Garrison would seriously be useful right about now.

So-So: Miller...though i will say that if this organization truly wanted Markstrom to develop (which is looking quite good at the moment), Miller was a necessity. Sbisa, contract doesn't look great, but if he continues to play like he did before going down with the injury, there is hope that could be negated.

Good (in my view): Sutter, Sven, McCann, Boeser, Demko, Vrbatta, Not being scared to move previously acquired pieces. Not over-reacting and committing to the "process"...

I think that if EDM were to move Nuge, it would not be for a 33 and 34 year old plus a second. They're not close enough to "win now" mode to consider that kind of transaction, even if it was balanced to begin with.
- lumlums

They have the tools to make playoffs now, something the sorely need to show fans that the past is behind them. Hammer helps with that and Vrbata can help replace lost offense from Nug, Vrbata us also good defensively for a sniper. the 2nd is thrown in to add to value. Van could also take a bad contract back(negative value) like Ference for example. Nug is not good enough to get them a top 2 defender from another team by himself, and they need to keep their best assets beyond him.

Bennings gonna sign Lucic in the offseason to 7 years 49 million

That contract will be an anchor 3 years in....
- TheGame316

Not going to happen. Lucic will be back in LA.

Do you guys think Edm would be interested in a resign and trade to acquire Hammer?

Hammer
Vrbata
2016 2nd

for

Hopkins
Schultz(-value)

this deal only takes place if Hammer is willing to resign with edm, and would take place after mcdavid/yak are back?

Hall-draisatl-eberle
yak-mcdavid-vrbata
- Retinalz

I don't see much of anything going to happen. We have had more than enough reason to make moves already , it looks like we will be keeping this line up for at least another 6 weeks.

They have the tools to make playoffs now, something the sorely need to show fans that the past is behind them. Hammer helps with that and Vrbata can help replace lost offense from Nug, Vrbata us also good defensively for a sniper. the 2nd is thrown in to add to value. Van could also take a bad contract back(negative value) like Ference for example. Nug is not good enough to get them a top 2 defender from another team by himself, and they need to keep their best assets beyond him.
- Retinalz

Thing is, If Nuge ever hits the block, there will be 29 other teams, most of which are outside the Pacific division which would seriously outbid us.

Don't think theres much hope for fixing this team through trades

What's the deal with the pick?
If Pits makes the playoffs y'all get a second rounder?
- Delta-Bravo

(frank), it's a hot mess

If they make the PO this year, we give them back their second (45-60 range) and get their first. If they miss, we get next year's first... unless they also miss then, in which case we get the 2017 second... I think

What's the general consensus on JB from the Nuck fans? Seems like folks outside of Van have been pretty brutal, is that echoed from within? What would be his best/worst moves to date?
- lumlums

He was handed a team that had very little in terms of prospects, the fact the McCann, virtanen, boeser, demko all look like legit players and some intriguing prospects in tryamkin, Neil, etc in just two drafts just speaks to his strength as a talent evaluator. I think he did well in the Kesler deal, I like the acquisition of Sutter, and the baertchi deal is looking better. The only real miss so far is the vey deal. I really hope ownership sticks with him.... The only way the Canucks will get better at this point is through drafting and developing and that's what Benning is best at.

Bartkowski is a classic case of a guy who looks good to the average fan, but he's constantly out of position and does a horrible job at boxing out and tying up his man in front of the net. He skates fast, can move the puck out of he zone, sticks up for his teammates and works hard but he should be a 6/7 dman on a good team because he needs to be sheltered with easy minutes or gets exposed

Sutter I'll admit looks to be an upgrade on Bonino. But the Miller/Sbisa deals still are atrocious, Dorsett as well is overpaid.


Agree with you on WD, I like that the team plays hard for him but he's in over his head with line matching, lineup decisions, ice time management. Hartley schooled him in the playoffs.
- Nucker101

Hartley has a bit more coaching experience yes but schooled? get real. Most knowledgable fans on here know Van has personnel issues. That showed last years playoffs when we had no answer for Ferklund and Engelland...that has nothing to with coaching.

Also most know that Hartley is quite overrated. Still only a .500 coach with a supposed top 3 D core in the league. So Hartley gets a .500 team in the playoffs and they give him croch of the year? you are joking right? AV takes that Rangers club to a 50+ win season and Laviolette takes NSH from almost dead last to almost first overall and they give Hartley the award for getting a .500 club in the PO's...you relly need to learn to assess and read dude.

They have the tools to make playoffs now, something the sorely need to show fans that the past is behind them. Hammer helps with that and Vrbata can help replace lost offense from Nug, Vrbata us also good defensively for a sniper. the 2nd is thrown in to add to value. Van could also take a bad contract back(negative value) like Ference for example. Nug is not good enough to get them a top 2 defender from another team by himself, and they need to keep their best assets beyond him.
- Retinalz

The other thing to bear in mind is that Van wanted to hose the Oil when they tried to acquire Schneider, and the pick they took from NJ is very different to the 7th overall, 2nd rnd and prospect asked from Edmonton for him... as such, if there's any team with whom Edmonton would be least inclined to deal, I'd say that it's Vancouver.... (then probably Boston).

I don't mind him. He's working with what he's got, which frankly ain't much.

I greatly appreciate is penchant for drafting/scouting, which outside of maybe Gillis' last draft has been pretty non-existent for a decade.

Worse: Though i had high hopes for it at the time, trading Forsling for Clendenning turned out to be bad. Garrison would seriously be useful right about now.

So-So: Miller...though i will say that if this organization truly wanted Markstrom to develop (which is looking quite good at the moment), Miller was a necessity. Sbisa, contract doesn't look great, but if he continues to play like he did before going down with the injury, there is hope that could be negated.

Good (in my view): Sutter, Sven, McCann, Boeser, Demko, Vrbatta, Not being scared to move previously acquired pieces. Not over-reacting and committing to the "process"...
- Delta-Bravo

He definitely seems to do better with drafting than trades at the moment... though that can improve in time. And he seems much more capable than Gillis (though not saying much).

He was handed a team that had very little in terms of prospects, the fact the McCann, virtanen, boeser, demko all look like legit players and some intriguing prospects in tryamkin, Neil, etc in just two drafts just speaks to his strength as a talent evaluator. I think he did well in the Kesler deal, I like the acquisition of Sutter, and the baertchi deal is looking better. The only real miss so far is the vey deal. I really hope ownership sticks with him.... The only way the Canucks will get better at this point is through drafting and developing and that's what Benning is best at.
- Mungo

(frank), it's a hot mess

If they make the PO this year, we give them back their second (45-60 range) and get their first. If they miss, we get next year's first... unless they also miss then, in which case we get the 2017 second... I think
- lumlums

Jebus.

Well here's to hoping Jersey and Boston keep up the good play

What's the general consensus on JB from the Nuck fans? Seems like folks outside of Van have been pretty brutal, is that echoed from within? What would be his best/worst moves to date?
- lumlums

I think he thinks outside the box. He doesn't care what fans think. It was a 50/50 hate fest in here during the summer when JB signed Sutter, now everyone is saying we need him back desperately .

People were screaming are you nuts with the Sbisa signing. He was raked over the coals on social media, now fans are saying we have 3 of our 4 top D out when Tanev was gone.

The Boeser draft pick people are now drooling for his arrival, when at draft day they were scratching heads and saying who?

Kassian and Kesler trade look pretty good now.

The Baertschi Vey moves ar starting to see life.

The later round draft picks like Boeser Neill Jasek Tryamkin are all looking good now.

He seems to be a builder. An unusual little Phucker but overall doing a decent job.

The other thing to bear in mind is that Van wanted to hose the Oil when they tried to acquire Schneider, and the pick they took from NJ is very different to the 7th overall, 2nd rnd and prospect asked from Edmonton for him... as such, if there's any team with whom Edmonton would be least inclined to deal, I'd say that it's Vancouver.... (then probably Boston).
- lumlums

Not sure that's the case anymore.

Both regimes have changed.
Keep in mind, Benning and Chiarelli obviously know each other quite well from their mutual time in Boston.

He was handed a team that had very little in terms of prospects, the fact the McCann, virtanen, boeser, demko all look like legit players and some intriguing prospects in tryamkin, Neil, etc in just two drafts just speaks to his strength as a talent evaluator. I think he did well in the Kesler deal, I like the acquisition of Sutter, and the baertchi deal is looking better. The only real miss so far is the vey deal. I really hope ownership sticks with him.... The only way the Canucks will get better at this point is through drafting and developing and that's what Benning is best at.
- Mungo

Well said Benning has done quite well with what he has. Scouting/Drafting/Developing is why Benning is here and it's what we need to do for the next three seasons.

Not sure that's the case anymore.

Both regimes have changed.
Keep in mind, Benning and Chiarelli obviously know each other quite well from their mutual time in Boston.
- Delta-Bravo

Forgot about that, good point

The other thing to bear in mind is that Van wanted to hose the Oil when they tried to acquire Schneider, and the pick they took from NJ is very different to the 7th overall, 2nd rnd and prospect asked from Edmonton for him... as such, if there's any team with whom Edmonton would be least inclined to deal, I'd say that it's Vancouver.... (then probably Boston).
- lumlums

New GM, different feelings involved now. JB and Chia are also old buddies. Won't just help the other out ofc, but also won't take into account WHAT GMMG did to GMwhats his face

I think he thinks outside the box. He doesn't care what fans think. It was a 50/50 hate fest in here during the summer when JB signed Sutter, now everyone is saying we need him back desperately .

People were screaming are you nuts with the Sbisa signing. He was raked over the coals on social media, now fans are saying we have 3 of our 4 top D out when Tanev was gone.

The Boeser draft pick people are now drooling for his arrival, when at draft day they were scratching heads and saying who?

Kassian and Kesler trade look pretty good now.

The Baertschi Vey moves ar starting to see life.

The later round draft picks like Brisbois Neill Jasek Tryamkin are all looking good now.

He seems to be a builder. An unusual little Phucker but overall doing a decent job.
- VANTEL

Fixed, Boeser was 1st round not later round

New GM, different feelings involved now. JB and Chia are also old buddies. Won't just help the other out ofc, but also won't take into account WHAT GMMG did to GMwhats his face
- Retinalz

Going by the unsubstantiated rumors of the time, Bo+ Klefbom and a 2nd? would be nice but, watching Schneids carry that team into the playoffs year after year would be absolutely terrible to witness...

Frankly, i think i prefer the way it worked out

Fixed, Boeser was 1st round not later round

- Retinalz

I meant Brisebois, thanks

Going by the unsubstantiated rumors of the time, Bo+ Klefbom and a 2nd? would be nice but, watching Schneids carry that team into the playoffs year after year would be absolutely terrible to witness...

Frankly, i think i prefer the way it worked out
- Delta-Bravo

I am one of the few that like the Schneider for Bo trade.

I think Bo is going to be a solid player once he breaks this funk.

Our goaltending looks very decent and looks even better over the next few years

I hope Canuck fans are not going to start a trade for Drouin campaign .

Going by the unsubstantiated rumors of the time, Bo+ Klefbom and a 2nd? would be nice but, watching Schneids carry that team into the playoffs year after year would be absolutely terrible to witness...

Frankly, i think i prefer the way it worked out
- Delta-Bravo

They wouldn't have Mcdavid or Draisatle if they had Schneider though. I'd say we lost that one.