Sbisa and Dorsett are the only physical aspects of the team. Call it what you want but at the time there wasnt much out there and they arent that bad of contracts. Sutter worries me a bit but if he plays a full season next year I will have forgotten.

+ Close to 15 million this year to change the team again and try something new.
- WhatTheNuck

I'm just saying they aren't easily moveable contracts IMO.

Aside from his lack of activity at the deadline he hasn't done anything to really set the team back. I think anyone deserves 4 years to show some the direction they are going in as it takes awhile for moves to take effect. However, I also don't think he's done anything to drastically improve the team going forward except allow youth to play.
- golfingsince

This. All the contracts he did sign like Vrbata and Miller are done this year and next. You cant fault JB for finding at least competitive bandaids at the time when everyone was panicking about the team. In his short time here he has not handcuffed the team going forward at all. Time is his enemy and Id say a couple years will bring clarity to the direction he wants to go.

Also regarding JB, so some contracts went a tad bit rich....we dont have the contract savvy of gillis we got used to, nor the capologist. JBs trades were much better than the gillis trades you all hated still to this day.

BUT after all these decades we should be dancing in the streets we FINALLY have a guy who knows how to draft! Last time was pat quinn. He's the drafting guy we've never ever had, yet people are b&tchin. 2 out of 3 areas a great improvement and cupboards are getting stocked. Be happy people

What do you expect him to do? Turn us back into contenders in 2 years? Ill take what your smoking if you think you could do better.
- WhatTheNuck

He's made some good moves, some decent moves, some questionable moves, and some we'll see moves.

Let's not pretend he's above criticism.

I love what JB has done. Lots more money to reinvest this off-season and the same amount coming off the books the following year. The next two years will better define his direction and whether or not he can right the sinking ship.
- WhatTheNuck

unless he is GM jesus people will be mad and unhappy....nah theyd still b*tch

I'm just saying they aren't easily moveable contracts IMO.
- golfingsince

Who cares? They are short term bandaids. Drafting and finding talent for cheap ie Baertschi and Larsen (next year hopefully) will be his strength. What we need badly is a trade but I feel it will be easier to move someone like Hansen or Edler. The latter being the more difficult.

He's made some good moves, some decent moves, some questionable moves, and some we'll see moves.

Let's not pretend he's above criticism.
- golfingsince

Nobody is above criticism but JB seems like the kind of guy trying new things which to be honest is exactly what is needed in our current situation. We dont have a ton of prospect depth past whats coming now and we need more NHL ready players now. Granlund, Sutter, Baertschi, and Larsen will be the guys with the chances. If they dont work out, JB will try again. What more can he do with the state of the team?

Are those great achievements?😨😨😨
- VanHockeyGuy

I think getting rid of Garrsion was a pretty crude/savy move.

Etem and Pedan forsure, we literally got those two guys for free.
One has seemingly become one of the most dangerous forwards , the other looks to be at the very worst at Top 2 dman at the AHL level, perhaps a top 4 guy in the NHL?

I know its not sexy, but you don't necessarily need to acquire a star player in order to "win" a trade.

He's made some good moves, some decent moves, some questionable moves, and some we'll see moves.

Let's not pretend he's above criticism.
- golfingsince

so 3 of 4 of those are good. Notice there are no STINKER moves. Makes him look good.

Every GM wins some loses some....so with his % hes doing awesome if you judge by that alone.

I think getting rid of Garrsion was a pretty crude/savy move.

Etem and Pedan forsure, we literally got those two guys for free.
One has seemingly become one of the most dangerous forwards , the other looks to be at the very worst at Top 2 dman at the AHL level, perhaps a top 4 guy in the NHL?

I know its not sexy, but you don't necessarily need to acquire a star player in order to "win" a trade.
- Whiskey-Tango

exactly.
When youre handed a cap strapped team what do you expect him to do? You have to acquire low salary guys. Low salary players arent superstars.

Watch him do something bigger at the draft.... besides if he signs a high profile D man everyone will be on the parade for JB again

The last time Benning had cap space he spent $11 million on Miller and Vrbata.

Lou 's EGO must love how Twitter has given him an outlet to second guess the Canadian hockey minds
- onesmallleap

They know the big choke in FLA is coming soon.

The last time Benning had cap space he spent $11 million on Miller and Vrbata.
- golfingsince

Different mentality now.

Different mentality now.
- LordHumungous

Much different class of UFA's to chase too.

exactly.
When youre handed a cap strapped team what do you expect him to do? You have to acquire low salary guys. Low salary players arent superstars.

Watch him do something bigger at the draft.... besides if he signs a high profile D man everyone will be on the parade for JB again
- SMBDragon

Im not holding my breath on the draft, Van just doesnt have the assets to pull off a big move, but im curious who hes going to sign, I really want Lucic, wouldnt mind boedker.

The last time Benning had cap space he spent $11 million on Miller and Vrbata.
- golfingsince

The Vrbata signing was solid in the first season, Miller i could do without though

Im not holding my breath on the draft, Van just doesnt have the assets to pull off a big move, but im curious who hes going to sign, I really want Lucic, wouldnt mind boedker.
- phyllee

☝🏻
My man.

Im not holding my breath on the draft, Van just doesnt have the assets to pull off a big move, but im curious who hes going to sign, I really want Lucic, wouldnt mind boedker.
- phyllee

Neither are coming here.

☝🏻
My man.
- dbot

Lucic would be a good addition and could make some room for the young guys. Depends on term vs money but we have room for someone like him.

Much different class of UFA's to chase too.
- WhatTheNuck

Ya, there are some interesting forwards.

Okposo or lucic would be an interesting add to the second line.
They would all be seeking absurd term though

Someone suggested recently JB's GM/Negotiating skills need some work, which is a fair assessment. Bringing on a "senior advisor" who has been there makes total sense. The management team consists of great talent scouts. Battle savvy GM's that know how the old boys club works, is what's needed.

I'd much rather hold on to the cap space than throw it at a UFA unless it's for a guy like Hedman.

Im not holding my breath on the draft, Van just doesnt have the assets to pull off a big move, but im curious who hes going to sign, I really want Lucic, wouldnt mind boedker.
- phyllee

Hey, we can still trade the exclusive negotiating rights for Vrbata & Hamhuis for.....

Ya, there are some interesting forwards.

Okposo or lucic would be an interesting add to the second line.
They would all be seeking absurd term though
- Whiskey-Tango

That's the main problem, and will hamper any proper rebuild. I would HATE to sign Lucic, that guy is going to decline so fast. It'll keep the Canucks a bubble team to sign any of those mid-upper tier guys to a long term contract (which is what they'll all be seeking). 1 or 2 years? Sure. I didn't mind the Vrbata or Miller ones, and hell Miller may even get flipped at the next TDL, so things like that are fine with me.

That's the main problem, and will hamper any proper rebuild. I would HATE to sign Lucic, that guy is going to decline so fast. It'll keep the Canucks a bubble team to sign any of those mid-upper tier guys to a long term contract (which is what they'll all be seeking). 1 or 2 years? Sure. I didn't mind the Vrbata or Miller ones, and hell Miller may even get flipped at the next TDL, so things like that are fine with me.
- NewYorkNuck

Not Lucic, but that kind of player, younger.