Right, Benning moves up in this last Draft and he's a genius all of a sudden... book it.

- boonerbuck

Benning will always be an idiot, always

I'll say one thing, this five day break is really adding to the intensity of the deadline. We should do this every year

Benning keeps refusing to win the lottery and even worse, the fkn idiot decided to slip down in the draft last time. How the (frank) will we ever get elite players in the draft if Benning hates winning the lottery?

Toronto held onto their draft position. They really do have their head on right.... when was the last time they decided to fall in the lottery? They keep their second round picks as well. They'll a move 1st rounder for a vet keeping those 2nds for the rebuild. That is outside the box thinking. We could learn a thing or two...

- boonerbuck

No one's arguing that the Oilers/Leafs/Jets have gotten lucky in the lotto while the Canucks got screwed as usual. It's that the Canucks are going out and signing Eriksson to a contract that only a contender would make since clearly you're overpaying for the 3-4 years he'll give you before he becomes a cap anchor.

And the small poop matters. Overpaying Sbisa, overpaying Sutter, always throwing in the extra pick in trades. Trading youth for Gudbranson, who I realize is still young but is demanding a contract that's going to see him overpaid.

Having cap space allows you to bend teams over in trades. You can take on bad contracts with a year or 2 left and force them to give you a good prospect or pick instead of overpaying role players and spending to the cap. I hate the Leafs, but their management has done a textbook job with this. That's why their rebuild has been more successful so far than Edmonton/Columbus/Etc in years past.

More draft picks/prospects simply gives you higher odds of finding future core players, it's that simple. Of course some lottery luck makes a big difference, but so does good asset/cap management.

Benning will always be an idiot, always
- LeftCoaster

Its really getting old ppl saying JB is this or that.
Who out there replaces him?

It's not about 75 or 80 points, that's just too simplistic, in my opinion we're trending down because we still rely on veterans too much and we don't have replacements for them.

If the Sedins retired at the end of this year we'd be a worse team next year, thus, we're trending down. The Canucks are doing exactly what the Flames did and the reason it took them forever to get where they are today.

I'll be excited about kids when they actually play in the NHL, unlike others on here.
- LeftCoaster

Fair points to be sure I just think the timeline you seem to expect seems to be well…odd. I thought we should have started moving NTC's out after the Kings pounded us in 2012 but the previous regime in MG had us trending to Flames 2.0 but it wasn't to be. After we made the PO's under Benning and Willie in their first season that also changed philosophy. A hiccup if you will...

I think that much has changed with Benning and realistically he can't accomplish in three years what it takes most teams ten years to do. Yes I agree we need another centre to potentially replace Hank but Horvat is trending there nicely and could be into bergeron-type numbers next year.

I'd play the Devils Advocate on the Sedins and say we might be actually better if they retired this year. They are basically 40-45 pt players at this point and replacing that should not be all that difficult at 2/3rds the price. Those players are readily available.

It may be simplistic like you said but if we hit 85 pts this year that to me is an improvement over the 75 of last season. Now if we hit 85 then drop back to 70-75 that's a problem which will need to be addressed. I'm all for the high pick but you have to know the powers that be want to climb in the standings with every passing season regardless of whether the Sedins are here or not.

If we somehow can hit 85 this year and shoot for 90-95 next year with Boeser here that to me is a good trend…regardless of the picks or the Sedins.

Yotes 3-2 over the Ducks

Its really getting old ppl saying JB is this or that.
Who out there replaces him?
- Nighthawk

I want to know why are these people not a GM? They know so much more

Its really getting old ppl saying JB is this or that.
Who out there replaces him?
- Nighthawk

I use that term loosely, I'm sure he's a nice guy, I just don't agree with how he conducts his business. If the owner is forcing his hand them he should just step down like Lafontaine did when he had a meddling owner.

The envy for the Oilers Leafs & Jets is funny.
Oilers hoarded 1OA for years til finally get a generational lucky pick.
Same for the Leafs & lots to do yet.
Perennial chokers like the Jets luck out n get Laine & still struggle.
3 teams who r allergic to the PO's r not getting any credit from me.

I will be patient & see how the 2017 & 2018 seasons go & how well we draft & develop.

No one's arguing that the Oilers/Leafs/Jets have gotten lucky in the lotto while the Canucks got screwed as usual. It's that the Canucks are going out and signing Eriksson to a contract that only a contender would make since clearly you're overpaying for the 3-4 years he'll give you before he becomes a cap anchor.

And the small poop matters. Overpaying Sbisa, overpaying Sutter, always throwing in the extra pick in trades. Trading youth for Gudbranson, who I realize is still young but is demanding a contract that's going to see him overpaid.

Having cap space allows you to bend teams over in trades. You can take on bad contracts with a year or 2 left and force them to give you a good prospect or pick instead of overpaying role players and spending to the cap. I hate the Leafs, but their management has done a textbook job with this. That's why their rebuild has been more successful so far than Edmonton/Columbus/Etc in years past.

More draft picks/prospects simply gives you higher odds of finding future core players, it's that simple. Of course some lottery luck makes a big difference, but so does good asset/cap management.
- Nucker101

I want to know why are these people not a GM? They know so much more
- VANTEL

Cuz easier to sling the crap than receive

I want to know why are these people not a GM? They know so much more
- VANTEL

Lefty and his Philly side kick should run the team. They would ensure we win the lottery

Fair points to be sure I just think the timeline you seem to expect seems to be well…odd. I thought we should have started moving NTC's out after the Kings pounded us in 2012 but the previous regime in MG had us trending to Flames 2.0 but it wasn't to be. After we made the PO's under Benning and Willie in their first season that also changed philosophy. A hiccup if you will...

I think that much has changed with Benning and realistically he can't accomplish in three years what it takes most teams ten years to do. Yes I agree we need another centre to potentially replace Hank but Horvat is trending there nicely and could be into bergeron-type numbers next year.

I'd play the Devils Advocate on the Sedins and say we might be actually better if they retired this year. They are basically 40-45 pt players at this point and replacing that should not be all that difficult at 2/3rds the price. Those players are readily available.

It may be simplistic like you said but if we hit 85 pts this year that to me is an improvement over the 75 of last season. Now if we hit 85 then drop back to 70-75 that's a problem which will need to be addressed. I'm all for the high pick but you have to know the powers that be want to climb in the standings with every passing season regardless of whether the Sedins are here or not.

If we somehow can hit 85 this year and shoot for 90-95 next year with Boeser here that to me is a good trend…regardless of the picks or the Sedins.
- LordHumungous

Damn right you could find 40 point players for two thirds the cost.

Sorry teams are not allowed to jump from 75 pts to 85 they have to go right from 75 to winning the cup

Lefty and his Philly side kick should run the team. They would ensure we win the lottery
- CanuckDon

Flyer/Flame fans are the worst

Fair points to be sure I just think the timeline you seem to expect seems to be well…odd. I thought we should have started moving NTC's out after the Kings pounded us in 2012 but the previous regime in MG had us trending to Flames 2.0 but it wasn't to be. After we made the PO's under Benning and Willie in their first season that also changed philosophy. A hiccup if you will...

I think that much has changed with Benning and realistically he can't accomplish in three years what it takes most teams ten years to do. Yes I agree we need another centre to potentially replace Hank but Horvat is trending there nicely and could be into bergeron-type numbers next year.

I'd play the Devils Advocate on the Sedins and say we might be actually better if they retired this year. They are basically 40-45 pt players at this point and replacing that should not be all that difficult at 2/3rds the price. Those players are readily available.

It may be simplistic like you said but if we hit 85 pts this year that to me is an improvement over the 75 of last season. Now if we hit 85 then drop back to 70-75 that's a problem which will need to be addressed. I'm all for the high pick but you have to know the powers that be want to climb in the standings with every passing season regardless of whether the Sedins are here or not.

If we somehow can hit 85 this year and shoot for 90-95 next year with Boeser here that to me is a good trend…regardless of the picks or the Sedins.
- LordHumungous

I'm not expecting Jim Benning to produce immediate success, I've said it a million times I think he's done a poor job from a process perspective, I wish he'd have started a rebuild when he got here.

There seems to be this misconception that I want the team to be good, I've never said anything to indicate I want results out there right now, I want a culture shift, I want them to bottom out and build from the ground up. I'm not dumb, I know that takes years, I'm in on that though.

The points thing in today's system is just too much of a wildcard, you could get an extra 6-8 points because you've got a good shootout guy, does that mean you're a better team....not imo.

I do agree you should be able to find 40 point players to replace them, easier said than done though.

Lefty and his Philly side kick should run the team. They would ensure we win the lottery
- CanuckDon

you and Vantel seem to forget you have strong opinions too, so I guess you should run a team as well? It works both ways. Opinion boards are for just that, share your opinion. If you just want to talk to people with a shared opinion you should get a room.

Damn right you could find 40 point players for two thirds the cost.

Sorry teams are not allowed to jump from 75 pts to 85 they have to go right from 75 to winning the cup



- VANTEL

I'm sorry you have trouble understanding common sense

I'm not expecting Jim Benning to produce immediate success, I've said it a million times I think he's done a poor job from a process perspective, I wish he'd have started a rebuild when he got here.

There seems to be this misconception that I want the team to be good, I've never said anything to indicate I want results out there right now, I want a culture shift, I want them to bottom out and build from the ground up. I'm not dumb, I know that takes years, I'm in on that though.

The points thing in today's system is just too much of a wildcard, you could get an extra 6-8 points because you've got a good shootout guy, does that mean you're a better team....not imo.

I do agree you should be able to find 40 point players to replace them, easier said than done though.
- LeftCoaster

I agree a teardown was in order using hindsight but we r where we r now.
Only so much could be done & we pin our hopes on our prospects & future picks. In 2-3 yrs we will see how JB has done & his legacy continues or is fired. WD is likely to be a casualty of it all unless he can make magic happen.

I'm sorry you have trouble understanding common sense
- PhillySportsGuy

Sorry I don't know who you are so (frank) off. You are either Phuckers alt account or his boy toy and neither one I really care to engage with.

you and Vantel seem to forget you have strong opinions too, so I guess you should run a team as well? It works both ways. Opinion boards are for just that, share your opinion. If you just want to talk to people with a shared opinion you should get a room.
- LeftCoaster

But we are happy with Benning so why do we need to become GM . Benning is doing just fine.

That was a long read. Good night.

I agree a teardown was in order using hindsight but we r where we r now.
Only so much could be done & we pin our hopes on our prospects & future picks. In 2-3 yrs we will see how JB has done & his legacy continues or is fired. WD is likely to be a casualty of it all unless he can make magic happen.
- Nighthawk

Benning seems to have come to the conclusion it's time to build thru the draft. Hopefully he sticks with that train of thought.

I agree a teardown was in order using hindsight but we r where we r now.
Only so much could be done & we pin our hopes on our prospects & future picks. In 2-3 yrs we will see how JB has done & his legacy continues or is fired. WD is likely to be a casualty of it all unless he can make magic happen.
- Nighthawk

The tear down should have begun 2013 but Lefty forgets he was cheering on Sedins and Edler back then and was constantly telling me you can't move the Sedins, Edler is our best Dman when I was saying move Edler for Simmonds and don't re-sign the twins . Now he is paying the price of what I told him be careful what you wish for.

But we are happy with Benning so why do we need to become GM . Benning is doing just fine.
- VANTEL

You have opinions on moves, picks, drafting etc. which means you have an opinion. You're full of poop if you're gonna sit there and tell me you don't comment on hockey business.

That was a long read. Good night.
- thundachunk