Before Jim Benning arrived in Vancouver there was one player under the age of 25, now there's several, Horvat, Gaunce and Hutton, who Gillis drafted, Virtanen, Etem, Vey, Baertschi, McCann/Gudbranson, Tryamkin, Granlund, Pedan, did I miss anyone?

He's most certainly re-tooling the lineup on the fly to be younger and faster! This year he has the 5th overall pick, there's a large amount of change going on right under people's noses, whether they choose to see it or not.
- LeftCoaster

Van did retool the line up this year. Landed 28th in the league. Change isn't always good. Change with direction, one direction not many.

Van did retool the line up this year. Landed 28th in the league. Change isn't always good. Change with direction, one direction not many.
- manvanfan

Thursday is the new Tuesday on the off season
- Retinalz

Everyday here is Tuesday in the offseason.

- RealityChecker

: Darren Dreger on TSN 1290 on Canucks GM Jim Benning.

“As I said earlier, no general manager, coach or player enjoys being part of the crop of teams that doesn’t make the playoffs. In Vancouver’s case, it feels like they’re ripe for a full-on renovation, but they haven’t quite embraced that yet, and it doesn’t sound like they’re going to.

“They made an interesting trade involving McCann and Gudbranson. Vancouver is going to be a little bit better, but I think there’s a lot of work to get done there yet before they’re moving closer to the playoffs.”

Van did retool the line up this year. Landed 28th in the league. Change isn't always good. Change with direction, one direction not many.
- manvanfan

There's a lot that went into that finish, 28th in the league. I'm not saying I think this is what should be going on, I'm saying this is what appears to be the plan going forward with Jim Benning in charge.

I think they took a step back last year on purpose to allow for some kids to enter the lineup, I just don't think they were anticipating as many injuries as they got.

But rest assured, they are making changes, lots of them! However, they'll sign some UFA's to ensure they have more depth in the lineup this year, if they can.

Rumour alert.... Arizona offering the 7th and 20th pick plus max domi or Christian dvorak for 1st overall

Rumour alert.... Arizona offering the 7th and 20th pick plus max domi or Christian dvorak for 1st overall
- MaWLz

Not a surprise, everyone knew they wanted Matthews bad.

Before Jim Benning arrived in Vancouver there was one player under the age of 25, now there's several, Horvat, Gaunce and Hutton, who Gillis drafted, Virtanen, Etem, Vey, Baertschi, McCann/Gudbranson, Tryamkin, Granlund, Pedan, did I miss anyone?

He's most certainly re-tooling the lineup on the fly to be younger and faster! This year he has the 5th overall pick, there's a large amount of change going on right under people's noses, whether they choose to see it or not.
- LeftCoaster

Change

: Darren Dreger on TSN 1290 on Canucks GM Jim Benning.

“As I said earlier, no general manager, coach or player enjoys being part of the crop of teams that doesn’t make the playoffs. In Vancouver’s case, it feels like they’re ripe for a full-on renovation, but they haven’t quite embraced that yet, and it doesn’t sound like they’re going to.

“They made an interesting trade involving McCann and Gudbranson. Vancouver is going to be a little bit better, but I think there’s a lot of work to get done there yet before they’re moving closer to the playoffs.”
- manvanfan

Dreger is a full-on Toronto Maple Leaf tard, he's of the opinion that what the Leafs are doing is the smart thing, I think it's stupid….and thus so is his opinion on what the Canucks should be doing.

Not a surprise, everyone knew they wanted Matthews bad.
- NorthNuck

They won't accept it. But if they did they could literally reunite the London knights in the NHL lol.. Marner, dvorak, draft Juolevi at 7 possibly.. Maybe package up the 20th with Gardiner and something for the 4th and get tkachuk.. Obviously none of this will happen but it's an intriguing offer lol

Dreger is a full-on Toronto Maple Leaf tard, he's of the opinion that what the Leafs are doing is the smart thing, I think it's stupid….and thus so is his opinion on what the Canucks should be doing.
- LeftCoaster

I'll never listen to a dreger rumour that has anything to do with Vancouver. Lebrun and Friedman

They won't accept it. But if they did they could literally reunite the London knights in the NHL lol.. Marner, dvorak, draft Juolevi at 7 possibly.. Maybe package up the 20th with Gardiner and something for the 4th and get tkachuk.. Obviously none of this will happen but it's an intriguing offer lol
- MaWLz

No doubt they won't trade it, Toronto is just as desperate to have Matthews

There's a lot that went into that finish, 28th in the league. I'm not saying I think this is what should be going on, I'm saying this is what appears to be the plan going forward with Jim Benning in charge.

I think they took a step back last year on purpose to allow for some kids to enter the lineup, I just don't think they were anticipating as many injuries as they got.

But rest assured, they are making changes, lots of them! However, they'll sign some UFA's to ensure they have more depth in the lineup this year, if they can.
- LeftCoaster

totally agree. the only issue is whether you agree or disagree with the moves and/or direction.

i can find the logic in what benning is trying to do but i don't necessarily agree with heading in that direction. however, as you have numerously (and correctly) pointed out in the past, we don't know what his "boss" is telling him to do. at the end of the day, everyone wants to keep their job.

as a fan, i just fear that the team is floating towards mediocrity. sure they may challenge for a playoff spot or even make it for a round but we're just back to this conversation every off season.

It's a restructuring as per ownership.
- LordHumungous

Unfortunately true.

: Darren Dreger on TSN 1290 on Canucks GM Jim Benning.

“As I said earlier, no general manager, coach or player enjoys being part of the crop of teams that doesn’t make the playoffs. In Vancouver’s case, it feels like they’re ripe for a full-on renovation, but they haven’t quite embraced that yet, and it doesn’t sound like they’re going to.

“They made an interesting trade involving McCann and Gudbranson. Vancouver is going to be a little bit better, but I think there’s a lot of work to get done there yet before they’re moving closer to the playoffs.”
- manvanfan

Quoting Dreger should be a bannable offense in the Canucks thread.

totally agree. the only issue is whether you agree or disagree with the moves and/or direction.

i can find the logic in what benning is trying to do but i don't necessarily agree with heading in that direction. however, as you have numerously (and correctly) pointed out in the past, we don't know what his "boss" is telling him to do. at the end of the day, everyone wants to keep their job.

as a fan, i just fear that the team is floating towards mediocrity. sure they may challenge for a playoff spot or even make it for a round but we're just back to this conversation every off season.
- RealityChecker

In the present structure with which they're dealing with, I'm ok with them trying to be competitive, what frustrates me is when they trade draft picks to try an be competitive, it's counter-productive IMO.

Draft and develop is my M.O. that's how I like to roll, regardless of your draft position, just draft well. The Canucks current two best NON-NHL players are Demko and Boeser, one was drafted in the second round the other late in the first.

You don't need to draft top five to grab a great player, but if the opportunity presents itself, then run with it obviously.

Quoting Dreger should be a bannable offense in the Canucks thread.
- Marwood

Updated list:

Dreger, asset management, offer sheet, Nick Bonino, Taj

Updated list:

Dreger, asset management, offer sheet, Nick Bonino, Taj
- CanuckDon

In the present structure with which they're dealing with, I'm ok with them trying to be competitive, what frustrates me is when they trade draft picks to try an be competitive, it's counter-productive IMO.

Draft and develop is my M.O. that's how I like to roll, regardless of your draft position, just draft well. The Canucks current two best NON-NHL players are Demko and Boeser, one was drafted in the second round the other late in the first.

You don't need to draft top five to grab a great player, but if the opportunity presents itself, then run with it obviously.
- LeftCoaster

Going in 2 different directions.

Get your higher end players that take less years to develop. As long as you draft well you should have players in the minors that are developing and can complement the more skilled players.

Rust and Knuhuckel are both 2010 mid round picks for the penguins.

Trading draft picks and young players is for when you have a need and are competitive, not a move for the future. Time Van is back to being competitive Gudbranson could be 30 and lost all value.

Updated list:

Dreger, asset management, offer sheet, Nick Bonino, Taj
- CanuckDon

Damien Cox is the biggest idiot of them all.

Dreger is a full-on Toronto Maple Leaf tard, he's of the opinion that what the Leafs are doing is the smart thing, I think it's stupid….and thus so is his opinion on what the Canucks should be doing.
- LeftCoaster

It is the centre of the universe filter. We have seen Toronto miss the playoffs but finish strong, the following summer it is all about contending for a cup, and we hear that more from the media than the org. Toronto decides to blow it up so every Canadian team should blow it up.

If you aren't doing what the Leafs are doing, then you are obviously doing it wrong.

When the Leafs start winning and making the playoffs then I will acknowledge they are doing something right. Until then, it is like those guys from SCTV, they done blew it up real good.

I am starting to realize it is more the Toronto media that I don't like than the fans but, wait for it...

Damien Cox is the biggest idiot of them all.
- manvanfan

That would be a great poll question. Big idiot or biggest idiot?

Updated list:

Dreger, asset management, offer sheet, Nick Bonino, Taj
- CanuckDon

Trading down

It is the centre of the universe filter. We have seen Toronto miss the playoffs but finish strong, the following summer it is all about contending for a cup, and we hear that more from the media than the org. Toronto decides to blow it up so every Canadian team should blow it up.

If you aren't doing what the Leafs are doing, then you are obviously doing it wrong.

When the Leafs start winning and making the playoffs then I will acknowledge they are doing something right. Until then, it is like those guys from SCTV, they done blew it up real good.

I am starting to realize it is more the Toronto media that I don't like than the fans but, wait for it...
- hillbillydeluxe

The reason why the media is so gun ho about what Toronto is doing because they have a clear plan, they are tanking, they are stock piling draft picks.

Van's plan is still muttered to most. Some believe this team can still be good and others think it's a tear down.

I've yet to see concrete proof on which plan is better. Trying to win or trying to lose.

That would be a great poll question. Big idiot or biggest idiot?
- hillbillydeluxe

I'll take claim on biggest idiot