I won't freak out, I can assure you.

However, this IS a hockey discussion forum. Do you expect everyone to sit around and pat each other on the back and sing Kumbaya and pretend it's all good?

I think 90% of the hockey world would give Benning a failing grade for this deadline, what's wrong with discussing it?
- golfingsince

I like Benning and I give him a failing grade. I am questioning his ability.

Shinkaruk wasn't in demand. Benning: "we tried to get a D prospect, but Granlund was the best we could get."

That tells you a) they felt they needed to move him and b) other teams weren't that high on him. He could turn whatever his issues are around and become a steal, but he also might be about to bust out...
- Ronning4ever

Why?

Regardless, I wasn't calling it a loss. I was just pointing out that he traded one of our top prospects for a questionable return. It could work out, but it could also backfire or become irrelevant.

I like Benning and I give him a failing grade. I am questioning his ability.
- VANTEL

And that's pretty much a 180 degree turnaround for you.

That said, you aren't known as the most patient guy around here.

I won't freak out, I can assure you.

However, this IS a hockey discussion forum. Do you expect everyone to sit around and pat each other on the back and sing Kumbaya and pretend it's all good?

I think 90% of the hockey world would give Benning a failing grade for this deadline, what's wrong with discussing it?
- golfingsince

Yup.......
So far Sportsnet, TSN, ESPN, THN have all rated Vancouver as the biggest losers of the deadline.



I want picks

Curious - how do you think this team gets better...other than hopefully drafting well?
- Ronning4ever

Obviously drafting well and through trades possibly at the draft, and throughout the year, also proper training and development of the prospects and young guys already in the system.

My comment was directed at the speculative assessment of Linden, Benning, being liars and incompetent in their roles because twitter or media are throwing around poop that people love to quote.

I am also disappointed by a lack of moves today, but I fail to see how being belligerent in a blog is usefull

And that's pretty much a 180 degree turnaround for you.

That said, you aren't known as the most patient guy around here.
- golfingsince

Moi

Mike Commodore ‏@commie22 7h7 hours ago
Jim Benning....#PackYourpoop
947 retweets 1,090 likes

Yes they had NTC's, but he turned down decent deals according to multiple sources.

I mean Luongo had a 1 team list and Gillis still got two assets for him.
- golfingsince

And do you remember how that worked out here for months afterwards, it's still an issue. How many Markstrom for Loungo trolls still bring this up

Yup.......
So far Sportsnet, TSN, ESPN, THN have all rated Vancouver as the biggest losers of the deadline.



I want picks
- classic321

I think they're the biggest losers as well, but i'm biased.

I thought Cracknell was a great free agent signing for us. a good team guy, he will be missed.

Let's bring guys up from Utica and give them a long look. Sit Henrik for a stretch, if not the rest of the season.

It is just too bad Sutter is still out, we still haven't seen enough of him to figure out who should be on his wings or if he should be with the Sedins...
- hillbillydeluxe

Gaunce could get a call up.
Hank prolly will need maintenance days off soon or shut down if still hurting.

And do you remember how that worked out here for months afterwards, it's still an issue. How many Markstrom for Loungo trolls still bring this up
- Makita

Sure, the big difference is that we could still have Lu in net. Hamhuis had an expiring contract, and if he really wants to play here would have re-signed in the summer regardless.

As I said last blog, I feel Benning decided to take a stand and try to repair his trading image this deadlinee. Either get full value or take nothing at all. Poor timing.

I won't freak out, I can assure you.

However, this IS a hockey discussion forum. Do you expect everyone to sit around and pat each other on the back and sing Kumbaya and pretend it's all good?

I think 90% of the hockey world would give Benning a failing grade for this deadline, what's wrong with discussing it?
- golfingsince

There is nothing wrong with discussing it. and I never said there was. A poster said hamhuis had to move, and I just said, he didn't and what's next?

There is nothing wrong with discussing it. and I never said there was. A poster said hamhuis had to move, and I just said, he didn't and what's next?
- hillbillydeluxe

He signs in Dallas this summer?

Also, I'm alluding to the hysteria expression.

Certainly it's been much worse here in the past than it has this past week?

Mike Commodore ‏@commie22 7h7 hours ago
Jim Benning....#PackYourpoop
947 retweets 1,090 likes



- classic321

Commodore was the lone bright spot of this TDL...hopefully TSN hires him uncensored next year

He signs in Dallas this summer?
- golfingsince

I do think he'll be back on a team friendly deal unless Benning doesn't want him(doubtful with how bad this defense is and how bad the UFA market is).

I do think he'll be back on a team friendly deal unless Benning doesn't want him(doubtful with how bad this defense is and how bad the UFA market is).
- Nucker101

As do I.

Just pointing out the ultimate slap in the face.

Moi
- VANTEL

This TDL:

This TDL:


- Nucker101

This TDL:


- Nucker101

Fair enough...here's the problem as I see it: you're saying this at a time when the last 5 of the last 6 cups have been won by two teams...one of which had two top 5 ers...so kinda a gimmie argument, LA only had one. There are a) major exceptions as you've pointed out, b) plenty of teams that don't win with top-5 picks FLA, NYI, EDM and c) with the exception of Chicago, most of the Conn Smythes are being won by straight up by non-top 5ers - Williams, Keith, Thomas...

I think we can win without bottoming out - I like what Benning has done so far, but he needs to sign some defensemen...still can't believe he traded Garrison for a 2nd...
- Ronning4ever

I get that, but If you'd like me to go further back

Yzerman
Forsberg
Niedemeyer
Pronger
Lemieux/Jagr
Paul Coffey (6th overall but still)


Of course these teams were more than just these players, but let's get real here: these guys were leaders, the back bone of their teams.
While I'm well aware there are exceptions, the bottom line is: what most often separates the good from the bad right now is that top pick
Whether it's Carey Price or Stamkos/Taveres or McJesus. Oilers once they get some d will be a force. I do not want them to be, but that's the reality of their talent level.

I'll be fair to Benning.

Although all teams suffer injuries we seemed to suffer several to key players this season. Had he managed to make the playoffs while turning over the roster quite a bit and getting much younger I think you'd have to call it a successful season.

I do think he'll be back on a team friendly deal unless Benning doesn't want him(doubtful with how bad this defense is and how bad the UFA market is).
- Nucker101

The resident troll is back

I like Benning and I give him a failing grade. I am questioning his ability.
- VANTEL

Agreed, really disappointing not to see any movement, and if draft day is a bust then maybe FA decides to go another route.

So true everything is pure speculation, even watching the talking heads on TSN today could only speculate. Next thing you know it's being quoted by the best armchair gm's in HB, as gospel so it has to be true
- Makita

Not picking a fight Makita but what are we left with? Do we take everything a sports manager or pro player states publicly? To be honest I don't believe a word management says publicly and most players are so guarded now you never get a straight answer, just a bunch of clichés.

Media types have the most to lose if they make a wrong statement. Hell, some sports management types have threatened to sue the media over what’s perceived as erroneous reporting. If it’s reported by mainstream media then I think you can be certain there’s some truth to it.

Agreed, really disappointing not to see any movement, and if draft day is a bust then maybe FA decides to go another route.
- Makita

If it becomes an unmitigated disaster does Linden get a 2nd chance with a GM or is he swept out as well ?