In 200 words or more.
- VanHockeyGuy

In 200 words or more.
- VanHockeyGuy

Tony Gallagher: "I suspect ownership had a small influence in drafting Virtanen. Before he departed, Gillis told me that they liked Larkin."

— Canucks Now (@CanucksNow) November 11, 2016

I believe Benning relied a fair amount on the Canuck scouting staff in the first draft too?
- WhiteLie

I think you are spot on with this as well. I don't think Benning had his team in place in his first year as GM.

This organization doesn't know how to say bye to ex-players. It is like pulling teeth.

Eddie Lack had the fan base in tears.

We want to extend Miller and Burrows again
- VANTEL

I want everyone from 2011 gone asap. The Lack based tears were HILARIOUS

I want everyone from 2011 gone asap. The Lack based tears were HILARIOUS
- CanuckDon

100% agree with ^

ship them all out.

100% agree with ^

ship them all out.
- Codes1087

Yup

Tony Gallagher reported it a long time ago. I will try and find the link. Take it for what it is worth coming from the source, but....

Found this, but I can't find the actual article, will keep looking.

https://www.reddit.com/r/...ct_ownership_had_a_small/
- Codes1087

Benning mentioned that he wasn't too involved in the first draft other than some of the later picks. He wanted to watch and evaluate the scouts and their process.

If they do that I will smash the sh*t out of everything I own and then set myself on fire.

And yes, I will post it all on YouTube.
- Marwood

Benning mentioned that he wasn't too involved in the first draft other than some of the later picks. He wanted to watch and evaluate the scouts and their process.
- CanuckDon

He won't be this year either with only 5 picks

Benning mentioned that he wasn't too involved in the first draft other than some of the later picks. He wanted to watch and evaluate the scouts and their process.
- CanuckDon

I believe Marc Crawfords brother was still head scout during his first year as well. No shot at them, if they indeed wanted Larkin and FA wanted Virtanen strictly based on him being a home town kid, then FFS FA is a bigger idiot than we already all think he is.

I believe Marc Crawfords brother was still head scout during his first year as well. No shot at them, if they indeed wanted Larkin and FA wanted Virtanen strictly based on him being a home town kid, then FFS FA is a bigger idiot than we already all think he is.
- Codes1087

Jake should have been a good choice. The team could not predict he was going to go out and drink away his first year salary

Jake should have been a good choice. The team could not predict he was going to go out and drink away his first year salary
- VANTEL

Jake still could be a good choice, only time will tell what we got in picking him. I am just saying that there is still controversy over picking him or going with who the management team initially wanted.

Jake should have been a good choice. The team could not predict he was going to go out and drink away his first year salary
- VANTEL

If he comes back and contributes in the NHL, bonus. Failing that he's Nik Jensen 2.0

He won't be this year either with only 5 picks
- VanHockeyGuy

If they enter the draft with only 5 picks I'll join the drama queens

Jake still could be a good choice, only time will tell what we got in picking him. I am just saying that there is still controversy over picking him or going with who the management team initially wanted.
- Codes1087

Lots pf us here were happy, same as when we took Hodgson and Bourdon. Some sh1t is out of our control. We are a cursed franchise

If they enter the draft with only 5 picks I'll join the drama queens
- CanuckDon

There is no reason we can't acquire picks for players on our current roster.

Jake still could be a good choice, only time will tell what we got in picking him. I am just saying that there is still controversy over picking him or going with who the management team initially wanted.
- Codes1087

I don't judge Benning on the Virtanen pick. I don't believe it was his first choice. I'll judge him on Boeser and Juolevi. They need to make the team within a couple years or Benning needs to be given the boot

If he comes back and contributes in the NHL, bonus. Failing that he's Nik Jensen 2.0
- VanHockeyGuy

Libor polacheck....Patrick white.....Shawn Antoski....Alex Stojanov....Jason Heater.....and on and on and on....

Lots pf us here were happy, same as when we took Hodgson and Bourdon. Some sh1t is out of our control. We are a cursed franchise
- VANTEL

Bourdon

Lots pf us here were happy, same as when we took Hodgson and Bourdon. Some sh1t is out of our control. We are a cursed franchise
- VANTEL

That's why the draft age needs to be pushed back a year. Who the frank can do a proper mental analysis of a 17 year old?

I don't judge Benning on the Virtanen pick. I don't believe it was his first choice. I'll judge him on Boeser and Juolevi. They need to make the team within a couple years or Benning needs to be given the boot
- CanuckDon

I have full confidence as Benning as a scout. I think he also evaluates talent well. Hearing that he made his way to Europe to scout some kids is music to my ears, same with him scouting NCAA teams and CHL teams. I just want him to be able to pick more, I want him to have more to work with because I think drafting and scouting is his bread and butter when he is fully invested in it.

That's why the draft age needs to be pushed back a year. Who the frank can do a proper mental analysis of a 17 year old?
- CanuckDon

They haven't even finished experimenting with drugs yet!

I have full confidence as Benning as a scout. I think he also evaluates talent well. Hearing that he made his way to Europe to scout some kids is music to my ears, same with him scouting NCAA teams and CHL teams. I just want him to be able to pick more, I want him to have more to work with because I think drafting and scouting is his bread and butter when he is fully invested in it.
- Codes1087

Yup, and cut the rest loose this summer.

I have full confidence as Benning as a scout. I think he also evaluates talent well. Hearing that he made his way to Europe to scout some kids is music to my ears, same with him scouting NCAA teams and CHL teams. I just want him to be able to pick more, I want him to have more to work with because I think drafting and scouting is his bread and butter when he is fully invested in it.
- Codes1087

I actually like Benning's trades more than his scouting I do like the fact that he is a rink rat. Dude works a hell of a lot harder than Gillis and I appreciate that.

I don't judge Benning on the Virtanen pick. I don't believe it was his first choice. I'll judge him on Boeser and Juolevi. They need to make the team within a couple years or Benning needs to be given the boot
- CanuckDon

If they make the team but Willie only plays them 8 minutes per game, does that still count?