Yes and no, he's definitely building thru the draft, although I wish he wouldn't trade so many second round picks.

His asset management leaves a lot to be desired though.
- LeftCoaster

Only because Dan Hamhuis?

Not after a win.
- Marwood

blame makita

Well no. The oilers instead of making trades during the process, instead of selling selling selling continually would probably be in a better position.
The leafs 50 years of rebuilding haven't been making any trades and have been trading away just about everything also, have added a lot of young youthful talent that still can't win.
Van who has if you ask many very little young talent that has been making trades is in the same position as the leafs.
- manvanfan

Fixed

Only because Dan Hamhuis?
- manvanfan

No....goes back to when he arrived here and his continual mantra of trying to put together a "competitive" team when they're clearly outside of a competitive window.

Some of that could be driven by ownership though. Maybe all?

blame makita
- Retinalz

Nobody even got to celebrate before he starting fake hating on Willie

blame makita
- Retinalz

For?

No....goes back to when he arrived here and his continual mantra of trying to put together a "competitive" team when they're clearly outside of a competitive window.

Some of that could be driven by ownership though. Maybe all?
- LeftCoaster

Ownership probably has a hand in it. But i honestly think JB is under the impression that the twins can still win FA a few extra dollars in the playoffs.

So what your saying is that JB is doing things correctly?
- manvanfan

You didn't really just say that to Lefty, really, now you've done it.

Fixed
- Retinalz

Thanks I slip often.

What a sh!t show of a thread last night

Fun read with your morning coffee
- nucks_94

Sometimes I am embarrassed I bother to read back on threads and follow some of the nonsense through 10 pages when I know the content is only going to get worse until a new day flips over...

For?
- Marwood

He started the coach thing with his fake hatred for Willie. I commented on his generalised statement suggesting that all WD haters are the same. and then he apologised. Then the biggest WD haters just kept going on.

No....goes back to when he arrived here and his continual mantra of trying to put together a "competitive" team when they're clearly outside of a competitive window.

Some of that could be driven by ownership though. Maybe all?
- LeftCoaster

They were outside a competitive window when they signed Miller and Vrbata and made the playoffs. Didn't win a series but you can't win a cup if you don't make the playoffs. Sometimes the season doesn't go as planned.

He started the coach thing with his fake hatred for Willie. I commented on his generalised statement suggesting that all WD haters are the same. and then he apologised. Then the biggest WD haters just kept going on.
- Retinalz

And?

Anyone else get a bunch of snow?

Yes and no, he's definitely building thru the draft, although I wish he wouldn't trade so many second round picks. He's only been here just over two years.

His asset management leaves a lot to be desired though.
- LeftCoaster

I don't like to see those picks trade away either, but I think Benning had no choice but to try get some nhl calibre players.
If he didn't do some of those deals we would not have Baertschi in line up and still have Higgins, not saying Baertschi is great but he helps.
Benning needed to do something in order to fill out a roster that can compete & speed and defense are a necessary part of competing.
We are getting better. I find this team more enjoyable too watch than they have been over the last 5 or so years.

Anyone else get a bunch of snow?
- Codes1087

no just -27 this morning here.

I don't like to see those picks trade away either, but I think Benning had no choice but to try get some nhl calibre players.
If he didn't do some of those deals we would not have Baertschi in line up and still have Higgins, not saying Baertschi is great but he helps.
Benning needed to do something in order to fill out a roster that can compete & speed and defense are a necessary part of competing.
We are getting better. I find this team more enjoyable too watch than they have been over the last 5 or so years.
- Reubenkincade

Changes definitely needed to happen, however, it's not lost on me the old guard are still the best players and the team finished in the 28th position last year.

You didn't really just say that to Lefty, really, now you've done it.
- Makita

I actually think Benning has drafted really well thus far, exception perhaps being the Virtanen selection. Admittedly I wanted Jake too though...so maybe we were both wrong?

Changes definitely needed to happen, however, it's not lost on me the old guard are still the best players and the team finished in the 28th position last year.
- LeftCoaster

Old guard have been provided with very little help from the Gillis era. Same as SJ Marleau and Thornton are still huge for that team but in there they got help from Couture and Pavelski. Traded for Burns, signed Martin. Big trade for Martin jones. Also been drafting players and adding them also. I guess what I'm saying by making small changes every year at a point in time the team is going to gel and A cup is very possible. Would we all be so mad if Van had won the cup? Probably yes

I actually think Benning has drafted really well thus far, exception perhaps being the Virtanen selection. Admittedly I wanted Jake too though...so maybe we were both wrong?
- LeftCoaster

Or maybe you were both right, and Jake just needs a little extra seasoning to reach his potential as an NHLer

Anyone else get a bunch of snow?
- Codes1087

Yup, and it is snowing now. luckily i do not work today.

Or maybe you were both right, and Jake just needs a little extra seasoning to reach his potential as an NHLer
- nucks_94

Like I have been saying. Worst case scenerio is JV turns into a solid 3rd line winger, as he has already shown he can play at this level and be defensively responsible. Normally you would want more out of a 6OA, but not every pick(even 1OA) turn into what you hope they will.

Yup, and it is snowing now. luckily i do not work today.
- Retinalz

That is lucky. I am sure the cold front has moved on almost completely now from Victoria and is now over Van.

Or maybe you were both right, and Jake just needs a little extra seasoning to reach his potential as an NHLer
- nucks_94

Hopefully yes

Like I have been saying. Worst case scenerio is JV turns into a solid 3rd line winger, as he has already shown he can play at this level and be defensively responsible. Normally you would want more out of a 6OA, but not every pick(even 1OA) turn into what you hope they will.
- Retinalz

It would be extremely disappointing, and an opportunity lost, but it's definitely not gonna fold the franchise.