communication is key. but some people just aren't comfortable in front of a mic or on stage.

then again, I am not sure what JB is like behind the scenes either.
- hillbillydeluxe

I think we are so hockey focused that we forget these are businesses worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Mario wants to sell the penguins for $750M.

Can you imagine a billion $ company hiring a CEO who is not comfortable in front of a mic or on stage?

We would be nowhere near bottom 3 if not for long term injuries this season. Look how long the Canucks stayed in the playoff picture with all those man games lost. The real crash only happened in the last month to be honest. You would have to think they would have been on the bubble or better without losing Sutter an entire season and Edler and Hammer combining for more than a season of games lost.
- boonerbuck

Yes, but when have the canucks had a season without long term injuries? I think that is an inevitable outcome for this franchise due to location and distance of travel.

Most pundits picked Van to be near the bottom of the standings. They were right because they probably factored injuries to key veterans into their estimate.

Exactly.

Not to change the subject but… that's why I'm surprised that some on here think that the face of this business venture (the general manager) does not have to be coherent when he speaks.

I lost a lot of respect for a boss I had who seemed like a confused dork when he spoke. What kind of leader can't clearly verbalize the business plan?
- bloatedmosquito

I have worked for some " leaders " that appeared and sounded very articulate- They were the biggest a$$hats.

This comes to mind-

The problem with the world is that genius is full of doubt and fools are so damn sure of themselves

They are so young, we won't know whether or not they are actually top line players for at least a couple years. Mark Schiefele from WPG, now 23 is finally showing that he can be called a First line center. Sean Couturier picked near him in the draft is turning out to be more of a great 3rd, good 2nd line center. It's all just a mystery for now.
- manvanfan

Oh absolutely, my assessment was based on their playing styles and skill sets, guessing a regular progression and how those fit in comparison to a championship team (like say a Chicago or LA). Like Virtanen could be the power forward you dream of, but he might also end up being similar to a Bickell, who was valuable in some playoffs runs but not really a top 6 guy. The core of youth I think is still missing that impact skill which I hope this draft starts to resolve (though of course it could change with development)

looking at 2nd round d-men 6'7 giant logan stanley described as one of the most consistent defensive d-men in the draft, stock dropped after he went 12 games w/o a point. expected to go 30-40 range

Yes, but when have the canucks had a season without long term injuries? I think that is an inevitable outcome for this franchise due to location and distance of travel.

Most pundits picked Van to be near the bottom of the standings. They were right because they probably factored injuries to key veterans into their estimate.
- bloatedmosquito

It's probably time to take some of those players that are injured often (Edler) and find them another home (fing NTC)

I think we are so hockey focused that we forget these are businesses worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Mario wants to sell the penguins for $750M.

Can you imagine a billion $ company hiring a CEO who is not comfortable in front of a mic or on stage?
- bloatedmosquito

Plenty of Fortune 500 companies hire CEO who aren't great public speakers. That's why they have a PR staff and spokespeople that do all the talking for them. Most people, unless they're politicians and used to speaking in front of media/large gatherings of people AND don't have a script in front of them to read from generally aren't going to sound as intelligent as they might be otherwise.

In Jim Benning's case, let's not forget that the media here are idiots and expect definitive answers that they can then run and make their own commentary on ripping everything to shreds, losing the context or outright making poop up as they go along. It's hard to sit at that table and answer questions and try and give them something without tipping your hand enough to destroy your bargaining position and esteem and influence in the 'Old Boys' club that is the NHL GM fraternity.

I have worked for some " leaders " that appeared and sounded very articulate- They were the biggest a$$hats.

This comes to mind-

The problem with the world is that genius is full of doubt and fools are so damn sure of themselves
- rugdnit

That's a great line. Bertrand Russell fan?

Plenty of Fortune 500 companies hire CEO who aren't great public speakers. That's why they have a PR staff and spokespeople that do all the talking for them. Most people, unless they're politicians and used to speaking in front of media/large gatherings of people AND don't have a script in front of them to read from generally aren't going to sound as intelligent as they might be otherwise.

In Jim Benning's case, let's not forget that the media here are idiots and expect definitive answers that they can then run and make their own commentary on ripping everything to shreds, losing the context or outright making poop up as they go along. It's hard to sit at that table and answer questions and try and give them something without tipping your hand enough to destroy your bargaining position and esteem and influence in the 'Old Boys' club that is the NHL GM fraternity.
- DariusKnight

Well said

Granlund had one of the teams highest corsi %. He wasnt bad at all for a bottom 6 role. The team had good puck possession with him on the ice. Better than Bo and McCann. I welcome him back.

Etem is another good bottom 6 player for us.

I don't think these guys were picked up for top 6 at all. I don't know why people would think that?
- boonerbuck

At this point in the rebuild bottom six players are expendable. Serviceable, but expendable.

I'm not saying they are bad players it's just that when the canucks are competitive again these players will have been replaced with better options.

looking at 2nd round d-men 6'7 giant logan stanley described as one of the most consistent defensive d-men in the draft, stock dropped after he went 12 games w/o a point. expected to go 30-40 range
- neem55

I watched two Windsor games on TV this year and they were talking about how good him and Logan Brown their 6'5" center were. They looked like 2-3rd rounders. People still put in so much stock into size. Tom Wilson was a 16 overall pick for washington. 6'4" 215. He's a 4th liner for them. Has 50 points in 200 plus games. not exactly first round numbers IMO.

Plenty of Fortune 500 companies hire CEO who aren't great public speakers. That's why they have a PR staff and spokespeople that do all the talking for them. Most people, unless they're politicians and used to speaking in front of media/large gatherings of people AND don't have a script in front of them to read from generally aren't going to sound as intelligent as they might be otherwise.

In Jim Benning's case, let's not forget that the media here are idiots and expect definitive answers that they can then run and make their own commentary on ripping everything to shreds, losing the context or outright making poop up as they go along. It's hard to sit at that table and answer questions and try and give them something without tipping your hand enough to destroy your bargaining position and esteem and influence in the 'Old Boys' club that is the NHL GM fraternity.
- DariusKnight

This is bang on. I feel this way about JB, I don't care if he's twitchy and awkward, so long as he's good at his job and knows his way around the politics of being a GM. IMO JB has fit the bill so far.

Donald Trump was visiting a primary school in Orlando and visited a grade four class. They were in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings.
The teacher asked Mr.Trump if he would like to lead the discussion on the word 'tragedy.' So our illustrious Republican candidate asked the class for an example of a 'tragedy'.
One little boy stood up and offered: "If my best friend, who lives on a farm, is playing in the field and a tractor runs him over and kills him, that would be a tragedy."
"No," said Trump, "that would be an accident."
A little girl raised her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children drove off a cliff, killing everyone, that would be a tragedy."
"I'm afraid not," explained Trump. "That's what we would call great loss."
The room went silent. No other child volunteered. Trump searched the room."Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"
Finally at the back of the room, Little Johnny raised his hand. The teacher held her breath.
In a quiet voice he said: "If the plane carrying you was struck by a 'friendly fire' missile and blown to smithereens that would be a tragedy."
"Fantastic!" exclaimed Trump, "That's right. And can you tell me why that would be a tragedy?"
"Well," says Johnny, "It has to be a tragedy, because it sure as hell wouldn't be a great loss... and you can bet your sweet ass it wouldn't be an accident either!"
The teacher left the room..
- LeftCoaster

I suppose there's some solace in not feeling the slightest bit anxious as the playoffs begin?

I make my first-round predictions and check in on the former Canucks who are playing in the postseason, in the new blog.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...-Playoffs-Begin/194/76304

I watched two Windsor games on TV this year and they were talking about how good him and Logan Brown their 6'5" center were. They looked like 2-3rd rounders. People still put in so much stock into size. Tom Wilson was a 16 overall pick for washington. 6'4" 215. He's a 4th liner for them. Has 50 points in 200 plus games. not exactly first round numbers IMO.
- manvanfan

Totally. I'm all for finding the right guy, but the way I read the scouting report was that the 12 game streak I mentioned is the only thing keeping him out of the first round. I like my d-men to be able to defend first, produce offensively second. You can't teach reach and leverage. Again, if he can't skate or was not a good defender, 6'7 would be irrelevant IMO.

Plenty of Fortune 500 companies hire CEO who aren't great public speakers. That's why they have a PR staff and spokespeople that do all the talking for them. Most people, unless they're politicians and used to speaking in front of media/large gatherings of people AND don't have a script in front of them to read from generally aren't going to sound as intelligent as they might be otherwise.

In Jim Benning's case, let's not forget that the media here are idiots and expect definitive answers that they can then run and make their own commentary on ripping everything to shreds, losing the context or outright making poop up as they go along. It's hard to sit at that table and answer questions and try and give them something without tipping your hand enough to destroy your bargaining position and esteem and influence in the 'Old Boys' club that is the NHL GM fraternity.
- DariusKnight

I'm thinking of guys like Elon Musk, Zuckerberg, and Dean Kamen. People with no formal training in PR but can stand up and articulate what they want to accomplish because they know exactly what they want.

I'm not calling JB out because he has a funny voice. I'm calling him out because I'm not sure he knows what the plan is. That's why he can't articulate it.

Your bolded statement is spot on. Can't wait until the old guard fades away.

Sometimes rich people buy things as items of prestige. Big boats, private jet, sports teams.

A good owner in any business understands their own skill limit and will surround themselves with knowledgeable people to fill those gaps in expertise. A good boss will then step back and let those folks do their thing. Too many examples of how micro-management kills success. And micro-management is usually a result of ego.

Usually rich people have big egos. That's why they purchase items of prestige. Vicious circle.
- bloatedmosquito

Aquilini bought this team because his Richard is small?

Aquilini bought this team because his Richard is small?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Bumped to the new thread.

I think we are so hockey focused that we forget these are businesses worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Mario wants to sell the penguins for $750M.

Can you imagine a billion $ company hiring a CEO who is not comfortable in front of a mic or on stage?
- bloatedmosquito

Hey, I had a boss who picked bellybutton lint out of his bellybutton in front of customers, what would 1040 make of that?

Who's your team to root for in the playoffs this year?

In the East I'm picking the Panthers. Would like to see Lou win it.

In the West my pick is the Blues. Great uniforms.
- we_are_all_canucks

You are picking teams like a chick would.

I once mentioned how people turn on GM's and coaches over nuances. You said you were not one of those people and were a little defensive over the comment. Who cares if he sucks in an interview and contradicts himself. He isnt good in front of a mic.... big deal. That should only matter to Botchford's flock of sheep.

- boonerbuck

There it is.