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

Agreed. Can we realistically expect a replacement top line though to replace the Sedin within the short time frame that Benning has had.
Whether it be through the draft, we would still be waiting for the player to develop or if we made a trade for first line player/so it would have cost 1st round picks plus plus.
We need patience we are getting their,albeit maybe not quick enough for some fans.

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

Despite advocating for him being sent to the AHL, I do think he has already proven he can be a bottom 6 NHLer as well. My hope is this time helps him be better offensively

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
- manvanfan

It's absolutely gonna take time to turn the mess he inherited around, I only wish he'd have committed to a rebuild from the get-go.

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

A perfect example would be Tom Wilson, I think. Drafted 2012 16OA. Played 4th line minutes for a long time and slowly was increasing his production. 10, 17, and 23 last season. He's not going to get a chance to even play top 6 minutes in WSH. It's showing cause his production this year 1 in 25 games. I would say JV is a better more skilled player then he is.

It's absolutely gonna take time to turn the mess he inherited around, I only wish he'd have committed to a rebuild from the get-go.
- LeftCoaster

Van is rebuilding though. The only difference is JB isn't sitting on his hands waiting 10 years to see that they are still missing pieces.

It's absolutely gonna take time to turn the mess he inherited around, I only wish he'd have committed to a rebuild from the get-go.
- LeftCoaster

Which ownership obviously would not let him do.

Which ownership obviously would not let him do.
- Marwood

It certainly appears that way yes.

Clutterbuck 5 years $3.5 per, nearly a million more per season than DD

Agreed. Can we realistically expect a replacement top line though to replace the Sedin within the short time frame that Benning has had.
Whether it be through the draft, we would still be waiting for the player to develop or if we made a trade for first line player/so it would have cost 1st round picks plus plus.
We need patience we are getting their,albeit maybe not quick enough for some fans.
- Reubenkincade

It's not about replacing them in the immediate future, it's about having the wisdom to replace them for five years down the road. He had a lot of holes to fill from Mike Gillis though. Fixing the defence had to be a priority....things look positive back there to the point where they may be able to move someone shortly.

It's not about replacing them in the immediate future, it's about having the wisdom to replace them for five years down the road. He had a lot of holes to fill from Mike Gillis though. Fixing the defence had to be a priority....things look positive back there to the point where they may be able to move someone shortly.
- LeftCoaster

I think we are winning you over

Benning: If we can add more picks, we'd like to do that this year. I'm not trading any of the picks we have

It's not about replacing them in the immediate future, it's about having the wisdom to replace them for five years down the road. He had a lot of holes to fill from Mike Gillis though. Fixing the defence had to be a priority....things look positive back there to the point where they may be able to move someone shortly.
- LeftCoaster

I think "replace" is a funny word when it comes to the Sedins. I don't think there will ever be a pair of players that will be like them again. The game is changing and the puck-possession, cycle game that they perfected is slowly being phased out. The Canucks team that will exist when they leave will be, by necessity, very different. I know it's just semantics, but we will never be able to "replace" the Sedins, nor should we.

Benning: Our defense is young, and we've got some players in that 22-28 range. We have to work with what we have and draft well

It's not about replacing them in the immediate future, it's about having the wisdom to replace them for five years down the road. He had a lot of holes to fill from Mike Gillis though. Fixing the defence had to be a priority....things look positive back there to the point where they may be able to move someone shortly.
- LeftCoaster

Ya defense does look much better...too bad we now have to be concerned about losing a player because of frigging expansion draft just when we get some nice depth at that position.

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

Every team needs a strong 3rd line. Won Pits the cup last year.

I think "replace" is a funny word when it comes to the Sedins. I don't think there will ever be a pair of players that will be like them again. The game is changing and the puck-possession, cycle game that they perfected is slowly being phased out. The Canucks team that will exist when they leave will be, by necessity, very different. I know it's just semantics, but we will never be able to "replace" the Sedins, nor should we.
- nucks_94

You're missing the point, it's not about replacing the people, it's about replacing the position. It matters not who your top line center or winger are but that you have to replace those positions.

Ya defense does look much better...too bad we now have to be concerned about losing a player because of frigging expansion draft just when we get some nice depth at that position.
- Reubenkincade

We will lose one of Granlund or Baerschi. Unless Hansen is traded. Will suck to lose, but realistically not hard to replace.

Every team needs a strong 3rd line. Won Pits the cup last year.
- Retinalz

and a capable 4th line.

Every team needs a strong 3rd line. Won Pits the cup last year.
- Retinalz

For sure, but it was a 6th OVERALL pick, you don't need to spend a 6th overall pick to find those guys.

You're missing the point, it's not about replacing the people, it's about replacing the position. It matters not who your top line center or winger are but that you have to replace those positions.
- LeftCoaster

Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier will help with this in the future

For sure, but it was a 6th OVERALL pick, you don't need to spend a 6th overall pick to find those guys.
- LeftCoaster

Kessel was a 5OA playing 3rd line

Every team needs a strong 3rd line. Won Pits the cup last year.
- Retinalz

True. Go over the past cup champions any many 3rd lines were essential if not prominent in those wins. It's one of the biggest factors for a deep run in the PO's...which we won't need to worry about for 2-5 years.

You're missing the point, it's not about replacing the people, it's about replacing the position. It matters not who your top line center or winger are but that you have to replace those positions.
- LeftCoaster

Yeah, I get it. Was just waxing poetic about never seeing players like the Sedins again. We will try to replace their production, but will never be able to replace the skillset that they bring.

The more I read about Nico, the more I like him.

"Hischier has 22 goals and 23 assists in 26 games for the Mooseheads so far this year, being particularly dominant on the power play. At even strength he’s a game changing player who is the smartest player on the ice."

http://editorinleaf.com/2...aple-leafs-nico-hischier/

Multiple sources call him the "Swiss McDavid". Though obviously not quite as good.

Kessel was a 5OA playing 3rd line
- Retinalz

and he was traded for a 1st, another 1st, a 2nd, and another 2nd and a 3rd. The "anothers" are players.