Yeah I didnt and still dont blame him for that. I think he was trying to lock in a few pieces he liked early on but in no way could expect the team to drop off quite as fast as it did when he signed those guys. He is definitely a gambler with contracts, add Sutter to the list of locking it in right away
- WhiteLie

Most people were more upset about the money than the term. I didn't care about money as I knew that team was not going to be a contending team right away anyway so what did it matter? The term was the only bother for me as I really wanted to see what Benning could come up with after all those expiring contracts that Benning signed were done.

defense doesn't look to strong hey
- ClarksonDavid

Even worse there's at least one more that would have made his team.

Edler's value (pre injury) was probably one of the highest it has ever been. Selling off diminishing assets while value is high is what CHI has done for the last however many years. I agree.

I am neither for or against a Burrows buyout. I don't see this team being hurting for cap relief next year.
- Codes1087

In a woeful D Edler is still the best we have.

Either Burrows or Hamhuis writing will be on the wall on the 30 th . If we are drafting a D then absolutely no need for Hamhuis. If drafting a forward , then absolutely no need for Burrows.

Most people were more upset about the money than the term. I didn't care about money as I knew that team was not going to be a contending team right away anyway so what did it matter? The term was the only bother for me as I really wanted to see what Benning could come up with after all those expiring contracts that Benning signed were done.
- Codes1087

I too would have liked to have the flexibility of less term, but at the same time I do give him some credit with establishing an identity of players he likes and can start to know what to expect from him. Now Sbisa and Dorsett are not the difference makers, but they are physical and can skate well. I like that part, as opposed to how quickly you could lose guys without the term and start changing styles again

Most people were more upset about the money than the term. I didn't care about money as I knew that team was not going to be a contending team right away anyway so what did it matter? The term was the only bother for me as I really wanted to see what Benning could come up with after all those expiring contracts that Benning signed were done.
- Codes1087

Sbisa'a contract is for two more years... I'm not quite sure what you mean here as Sedin's contracts are up the same year. I'm not a fan of Dorsett's contract for amount or term, 2.65 for a fourth line energy guy is just gross IMO

In a woeful D Edler is still the best we have.

Either Burrows or Hamhuis writing will be on the wall on the 30 th . If we are drafting a D then absolutely no need for Hamhuis. If drafting a forward , then absolutely no need for Burrows.
- VANTEL

I think thats fair to keep one but not both. I do slightly worry about having a D core that consists of Hutton, Tryamkin, Pedan, Larsen, and Rookie D. Long term, probably good but patience will be required

Sbisa'a contract is for two more years... I'm not quite sure what you mean here as Sedin's contracts are up the same year. I'm not a fan of Dorsett's contract for amount or term, 2.65 for a fourth line energy guy is just gross IMO
- neem55

I am saying that Higgins and Burrows's contract are both up at the end of next year. I would have love to have seen Benning give LESS term to both Dorsett and Sbisa, so that their contracts would end similarly to when Burrows and Higgins contracts ended just to free up a ton of space for the summer.

I think thats fair to keep one but not both. I do slightly worry about having a D core that consists of Hutton, Tryamkin, Pedan, Larsen, and Rookie D. Long term, probably good but patience will be required

- WhiteLie

I didn't say bring back either. I said one will know his answer on the 30 th of this month.

If I have 15 mil in cap space I would trade or sign more productive UFAs.

I think thats fair to keep one but not both. I do slightly worry about having a D core that consists of Hutton, Tryamkin, Pedan, Larsen, and Rookie D. Long term, probably good but patience will be required

- WhiteLie

I don't know if anyone noticed on Carol's last blog, but Hutton has the second worse Corsi on this team after Bart. Not exactly screaming "i'm ready for top-4 minutes next year" IMO, maybe sheltering him a bit will help his progression. I'd like to see someone else brought in to fill the void left by Hamhuis that can grow with the team UFA or Trade. Make it happen JB!

Sbisa'a contract is for two more years... I'm not quite sure what you mean here as Sedin's contracts are up the same year. I'm not a fan of Dorsett's contract for amount or term, 2.65 for a fourth line energy guy is just gross IMO
- neem55

When it comes to finally reaching the end of some of those Gillis contracts has taken an eternity, and now that we are finally there, we have had some similar (but far less harsh) term signings by Benning in the Dorsett/Sbisa deals. They money (to me) was never an issue as I knew this team was not going to be fighting for a stanley cup the year after her took over. My point being, is that now that finally some of those contracts expiring, it would have been nice to see Dorsett and Sbisa have their contracts expire relatively close to the same time as the other aging players.

I am saying that Higgins and Burrows's contract are both up at the end of next year. I would have love to have seen Benning give LESS term to both Dorsett and Sbisa, so that their contracts would end similarly to when Burrows and Higgins contracts ended just to free up a ton of space for the summer.
- Codes1087

ahh got ya. I think Sbisa was a bit of a gamble with a younger guy. I like that JB is willing to do that, Hamonic for example was signed for way under his current value that way. I honestly think Sbisa has gotten better, but I realize I'm in the minority here. Bart and Weber bye bye. Hamuis, you've been great but were going in a different direction and bringing in some new faces. I hope this is JB mentality this off-season.

ahh got ya. I think Sbisa was a bit of a gamble with a younger guy. I like that JB is willing to do that, Hamonic for example was signed for way under his current value that way. I honestly think Sbisa has gotten better, but I realize I'm in the minority here. Bart and Weber bye bye. Hamuis, you've been great but were going in a different direction and bringing in some new faces. I hope this is JB mentality this off-season.
- neem55

I agree with everything you have said. Sbisa was a wreck in his first season but has made great strides in his injury ridden season.

I will say this though. Even with Hutton's Corsi % this year. The fact that he was not on anyone's radar as a player who would make the Canucks opening night roster, and now he is throwing on a Team Canada jersey as a rookie. I am super super super happy with that. Some will argue it is too much too soon, but I can't see how this hurts his confidence playing with such great players. Great for the 22 year old.

I agree with everything you have said. Sbisa was a wreck in his first season but has made great strides in his injury ridden season.

I will say this though. Even with Hutton's Corsi % this year. The fact that he was not on anyone's radar as a player who would make the Canucks opening night roster, and now he is throwing on a Team Canada jersey as a rookie. I am super super super happy with that. Some will argue it is too much too soon, but I can't see how this hurts his confidence playing with such great players. Great for the 22 year old.
- Codes1087

Totally agree. Should be a great experience for him, that was my reaction when I read the blog today. Confidence/phychology is a huge part and getting that kind of experience will be good. Maybe he makes the u-23 team for the world cup

food for though:

This world cup defence shows just how good canadian d-men in this league are:all of the best ones are in the playoffs (Subban being the exception). Does this make anyone want to draft Chychrun>Serg? is it just my nationalistic pride talking or is this a legit thing?

I agree with everything you have said. Sbisa was a wreck in his first season but has made great strides in his injury ridden season.

I will say this though. Even with Hutton's Corsi % this year. The fact that he was not on anyone's radar as a player who would make the Canucks opening night roster, and now he is throwing on a Team Canada jersey as a rookie. I am super super super happy with that. Some will argue it is too much too soon, but I can't see how this hurts his confidence playing with such great players. Great for the 22 year old.
- Codes1087

Re: Hutton - totally agree. It is nice to see him being rewarded by Team Canada with this opportunity. I think being on a team with some talented players, being able to get some advice from new coaches and management, and the entire experience in itself is something that will help his growth

EDIT: I am also happy for Tanev to get some recognition too at this stage

food for though:

This world cup defence shows just how good canadian d-men in this league are:all of the best ones are in the playoffs (Subban being the exception). Does this make anyone want to draft Chychrun>Serg? is it just my nationalistic pride talking or is this a legit thing?
- neem55

I think its coincidental. Lidstrom was among the best and not Canadian, and frankly with how Team Canada's junior program has struggled in the past few years, I think is from European nations stepping up the competition level and developing better players.

Long story short, if a draft eligible kid is already in NA I have zero concerns over nationality, maybe a little concern if hes from Russia and might not want to leave

This is how I see this year unfolding.

Draft

Going with the odds and say we get a pick 4,5, or 6 Sergachev

RFAs

Sven [email protected] per

Etem [email protected] per

Granlund [email protected]

Vey not signed

Pedan 1 @.750 K

Zalewski 1 @.675 ( 2 way)

Grenier traded

Bloomstrand 2 way deal

UFAs

All let go from Canucks

UFA pick ups

Ericksson ( don't like it but I think it will happen) 2 yrs @5.5 per

Martin 4 yrs @ 3 per

Trades

I expect a Tanev to WPG trade

Buyouts

Burrows

Waived

Higgins

This is how I see this year unfolding.

Draft

Going with the odds and say we get a pick 4,5, or 6 Sergachev

RFAs

Sven [email protected] per

Etem [email protected] per

Granlund [email protected]

Vey not signed

Pedan 1 @.750 K

Zalewski 1 @.675 ( 2 way)

Grenier traded

Bloomstrand 2 way deal

UFAs

All let go from Canucks

UFA pick ups

Ericksson ( don't like it but I think it will happen) 2 yrs @5.5 per

Martin 4 yrs @ 3 per

Trades

I expect a Tanev to WPG trade

Buyouts

Burrows

Waived

Higgins
- VANTEL

You missed dumping Hamhuis

This is how I see this year unfolding.

Draft

Going with the odds and say we get a pick 4,5, or 6 Sergachev

RFAs

Sven [email protected] per

Etem [email protected] per

Granlund [email protected]

Vey not signed

Pedan 1 @.750 K

Zalewski 1 @.675 ( 2 way)

Grenier traded

Bloomstrand 2 way deal

UFAs

All let go from Canucks

UFA pick ups

Ericksson ( don't like it but I think it will happen) 2 yrs @5.5 per

Martin 4 yrs @ 3 per

Trades

I expect a Tanev to WPG trade

Buyouts

Burrows

Waived

Higgins
- VANTEL

I do think they want Tanev, especially with the brother connection now, but what do you think the difference in cost would be for Winnipeg to go with Tanev over Hamonic?

This is how I see this year unfolding.

Draft

Going with the odds and say we get a pick 4,5, or 6 Sergachev

RFAs

Sven [email protected] per

Etem [email protected] per

Granlund [email protected]

Vey not signed

Pedan 1 @.750 K

Zalewski 1 @.675 ( 2 way)

Grenier traded

Bloomstrand 2 way deal

UFAs

All let go from Canucks

UFA pick ups

Ericksson ( don't like it but I think it will happen) 2 yrs @5.5 per

Martin 4 yrs @ 3 per

Trades

I expect a Tanev to WPG trade

Buyouts

Burrows

Waived

Higgins
- VANTEL

I agree with all of this. Who do you see coming back from Winnipeg?

You missed dumping Hamhuis

- Makita

All UFAs let go

I do think they want Tanev, especially with the brother connection now, but what do you think the difference in cost would be for Winnipeg to go with Tanev over Hamonic?
- WhiteLie

What happens if they traded for both

You guys pretty set on picking a D man? Nobody high on Tkachuk?

Laine scores a goal with 1 second remaining to tie the game, Puljujärvi set up the winning goal in playoffs. These kids know how to finish the season.

What happens if they traded for both
- VANTEL

They do have a lot of assets and good prospects, but that might take more blue chips than they might be wanting to give at this point. Thats just my guess