With respect Booner, i think the dynamic has changed.
Could he have moved Hamhuis last year, i think so. Vrbatta not so much lol ((frank) him). According to Benning himself, he did have suitors for Miller as well.
That said, had be been given/had the prerogative, i think it's safe to say there would have been a market (as shown this year) to unload the likes of Hansen, Burrows etc, thus putting us a year ahead in the 'rebuild'.
Going by the last few days, It's apparent he has the skill and intellect to make good, future based trades.
Difference being, I truly believe Aquillini has finally seen the light this year and has taken the leash off Benning. Problem is as the General Manager, that it took him 3 years to convince ownership this needed to be done...
- Whiskey-Tango
I understand... everything comes back to "should have torn it down regardless of anything and everything". Everyone does it right? Easy decision when you miss the playoffs 1 season in a row and are one season removed from winning your division... players forced off the team left right and center... sigh. I would have embraced it but I'm also realistic about what kind of teams go into a fascist teardown and just divorce your entire core parting with bad blood... funny, this happening is rare as hell... but it's a flip of a switch from people at their computer desks.
He added two young players,,, again,,, like last season. He traded two vets... just like he tried last TDL... what he just did, is what he's been doing or trying to do for the last two years.
One year closer to the Sedins retiring. This is the biggest factor. I've been saying it was going to play out like this since Benning got here... all the people who denied and spun the crap out of everything will now say there was a change and intentions are different. Not at all. Next TDL there will be more and the Sedins will be gone a couple of months after... as I said, all along. Benning said he was going to get younger and he's been adding young players left right and center. Once the Sedins are gone, they will evaluate the young group they have. If it looks like they can build around it... they will... if not(and they don't get fired), they can reset and keep only the best... a real rebuild from the bottom.
People are confused. Bloated is right about do and try, that is a matter of being unsuccessful but he was in play, not standing pat or buyers... Lefty claiming this is a new direction just decided by the Canucks is spin. Last season Benning was working the same path. Trying to score picks/prospects at the deadline. He wasnt trying to move 4 NTC's at once like you are saying he should have... or was he? I guess you can only guess.
We have a thin team in Utica. We need to dress a team. This idea that we can dump everyone over 26 and just play those guys for the next few years is not thinking.
