OMG, really? Watching TSN Tradecentre and one guy goes he'd never trade Matthews for McDavid and even insinuates that if Matthews had star wingers he'd be leading the league in scoring? Really? Wow... that's SOME BJ to Matthews.

Just shaking my head... I know this is the TORONTO Sports Network, but holy (frank), to even SUGGEST that somehow because McDavid plays in Edmonton with star wingers and Matthews in Toronto with rookie wingers that MATTHEWS is better

I like the moves by Benning. I like he is bringing in skill and toughness
- VANTEL

Good to see a combo of both. I also like your idea of going after Flippula...would be a killer addition to help out next years roster IMO.

TSN panel is a joke.

They prefer Matthews over McDavid

Agreed. It's not actually losing him for nothing. It opens up opportunities. Getting a pick for him would be best. That is a fair way of putting it. Losing him in the E Draft would be 2nd best scenario.

Either way, it would settle our argument over the last couple of years where I said we wouldn't be stuck with the contract. I never thought we'd see him finish his contract here without an NTC. We'll see this spring or sooner.
- boonerbuck

3.6M cap hit is still difficult to move since a lot of buying teams are up against the cap. Plus if the Canucks retained salary on Sbisa, that means no more salary retention trades until after the 17/18 season so that handcuffs them at next year's TDL.

I think Jim is done for the day unless we see some sort of a AHL prospect for prospect swap with Subban or Gaunce maybe.

You gain roughly 3M in cap space as well though. What if you use that to sign a vet in UFA to a 1 year deal to flip at the next TDL or even use that space to take on a bad contract that's set to expire in 2018 while receiving a prospect or pick for doing so? In a way it's worth trading Sbisa for even a 4th or 5th if you can make good use of that freed up space.
- Nucker101

Yeah, it isn't ideal to really lose him "for nothing" but its far from the end of the world. The return on him is going to be very low and while it wouldn't hurt to get a 5th or a 6th, its not worth getting worked up over for a guy like him.

The cap space and contract slot you gain is the bigger thing. Bring in a bunch of Versteeg and Stempniak type forwards to fill out your lineup. Give them some extra money on a one year deal. Then flip them for all the mid round picks you can get your hands on.

Maybe use that space to take on a problem contract and get yourself a decent young player out of it.

OMG, really? Watching TSN Tradecentre and one guy goes he'd never trade Matthews for McDavid and even insinuates that if Matthews had star wingers he'd be leading the league in scoring? Really? Wow... that's SOME BJ to Matthews.

Just shaking my head... I know this is the TORONTO Sports Network, but holy (frank), to even SUGGEST that somehow because McDavid plays in Edmonton with star wingers and Matthews in Toronto with rookie wingers that MATTHEWS is better
- DariusKnight

The east know SFA about us, laughable.

3.6M cap hit is still difficult to move since a lot of buying teams are up against the cap. Plus if the Canucks retained salary on Sbisa, that means no more salary retention trades until after the 17/18 season so that handcuffs them at next year's TDL.

I think Jim is done for the day unless we see some sort of a AHL prospect for prospect swap with Subban or Gaunce maybe.
- Nucker101

what do you mean "we"?

OMG, really? Watching TSN Tradecentre and one guy goes he'd never trade Matthews for McDavid and even insinuates that if Matthews had star wingers he'd be leading the league in scoring? Really? Wow... that's SOME BJ to Matthews.

Just shaking my head... I know this is the TORONTO Sports Network, but holy (frank), to even SUGGEST that somehow because McDavid plays in Edmonton with star wingers and Matthews in Toronto with rookie wingers that MATTHEWS is better
- DariusKnight

Which star wingers are they talking about? Maroon? Because Lucic, Eberle, Pouliot, etc. are pretty trash

TSN panel is a joke.

They prefer Matthews over McDavid
- VANTEL

Saw this on the Province:

Benning has been blasted repeatedly for not moving along the Canuck rebuild quickly enough, and yet only four players remain from the NHL team he inherited just 2½ years ago from Mike Gillis: Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Alex Edler and Chris Tanev.

No more country club

Yeah, it isn't ideal to really lose him "for nothing" but its far from the end of the world. The return on him is going to be very low and while it wouldn't hurt to get a 5th or a 6th, its not worth getting worked up over for a guy like him.

The cap space and contract slot you gain is the bigger thing. Bring in a bunch of Versteeg and Stempniak type forwards to fill out your lineup. Give them some extra money on a one year deal. Then flip them for all the mid round picks you can get your hands on.

Maybe use that space to take on a problem contract and get yourself a decent young player out of it.
- Lindenis#1

I'm been advocating for this strategy since like 2013. It's basically like a video game cheat code that actually works in real life lol. Plus it allows you to let your youth grow together in the AHL, after the TDL you can call up the 2-3 that are playing the best and let them finish the season learning the NHL game.

This is exactly why I dislike giving multiple year contracts to role/depth players and paying them too much as well. The guy they just claimed today is supposed to be a similar to Dorsett except he's bigger and way cheaper.

what do you mean "we"?
- VanHockeyGuy

oh poop..my bad

TSN panel is a joke.

They prefer Matthews over McDavid
- VANTEL

You can substitute T&A for quality broadcasting for only so long...

TSN panel is a joke.

They prefer Matthews over McDavid
- VANTEL

AH...you gotta love TO...

Get 1OA...rebuild over. Can we claim that with if we get Patrick?

McDavid is generational like Crosby...Matthews is not. Matthews as good as he is regardless of linemates will be looking up at McDavid in the scoring race his entire career.

Saw this on the Province:

Benning has been blasted repeatedly for not moving along the Canuck rebuild quickly enough, and yet only four players remain from the NHL team he inherited just 2½ years ago from Mike Gillis: Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Alex Edler and Chris Tanev.

No more country club
- CanuckDon

I agree , I am very happy with his 2 1/2 years .

Saw this on the Province:

Benning has been blasted repeatedly for not moving along the Canuck rebuild quickly enough, and yet only four players remain from the NHL team he inherited just 2½ years ago from Mike Gillis: Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Alex Edler and Chris Tanev.

No more country club
- CanuckDon

What country club? What group of veterans on the team were more concerned with comfy living than winning games? Just because guys might have been committed to the Canucks doesn't mean they were holding the team back. It isn't like the team was last place, trying to move on from the guys and they said no. It was the team was in last place and management still thought they could build around those guys.

AH...you gotta love TO...

Get 1OA...rebuild over. Can we claim that with if we get Patrick?

McDavid is generational like Crosby...Matthews is not. Matthews as good as he is regardless of linemates will be looking up at McDavid in the scoring race his entire career.
- LordHumungous

Not the same level player

I really don't understand what LA is doing trading for Iginla and Bishop. Do they really think they have any kind of chance in the post season?

AH...you gotta love TO...

Get 1OA...rebuild over. Can we claim that with if we get Patrick?

McDavid is generational like Crosby...Matthews is not. Matthews as good as he is regardless of linemates will be looking up at McDavid in the scoring race his entire career.
- LordHumungous

Agreed. Matthews will be #2 behind McDavid for the next decade.

Eichel and Marner will be challenging Matthews imo.

What country club? What group of veterans on the team were more concerned with comfy living than winning games? Just because guys might have been committed to the Canucks doesn't mean they were holding the team back. It isn't like the team was last place, trying to move on from the guys and they said no. It was the team was in last place and management still thought they could build around those guys.
- Lindenis#1

Hansen and Burrows were probably two of the most hard-working blue collar guys on the team. Both guys were longshots to even make the NHL and have carved out 10+ year careers in the NHL now through determination...country club

AH...you gotta love TO...

Get 1OA...rebuild over. Can we claim that with if we get Patrick?

McDavid is generational like Crosby...Matthews is not. Matthews as good as he is regardless of linemates will be looking up at McDavid in the scoring race his entire career.
- LordHumungous

Wouldn't kill to spend another year recouping assets so that when you're on the uptick you've got some extra picks and prospects to play around with.

Plus, as nice as things look now, not everyone is going to pan out and there are no centers really in the pipeline. Taking a season or even two to make the cupboard so full you can't close the door isn't a bad thing.

AH...you gotta love TO...

Get 1OA...rebuild over. Can we claim that with if we get Patrick?

McDavid is generational like Crosby...Matthews is not. Matthews as good as he is regardless of linemates will be looking up at McDavid in the scoring race his entire career.
- LordHumungous

Matthews will have a shot at winning Art Ross in his career, but he will not produce as many points as McDavid as a whole. By that logic, Crosby should have won the scoring race every year since drafted. Except for injured years.

What country club? What group of veterans on the team were more concerned with comfy living than winning games? Just because guys might have been committed to the Canucks doesn't mean they were holding the team back. It isn't like the team was last place, trying to move on from the guys and they said no. It was the team was in last place and management still thought they could build around those guys.
- Lindenis#1

Really? A soft group of entitled veterans that have continually refused change. As much of a d!ck as Torts was, he nailed it. I want a fast skilled team that will stand up for each other. No more turning the other cheek when somebody gets in your grill

Edit. Clearly Hansen wasn't the problem. But this core needed to be destroyed.

That TSN team Canada team is garrrrrbage.

Vlassic, Stone....wtf?

AH...you gotta love TO...

Get 1OA...rebuild over. Can we claim that with if we get Patrick?

McDavid is generational like Crosby...Matthews is not. Matthews as good as he is regardless of linemates will be looking up at McDavid in the scoring race his entire career.
- LordHumungous

In hindsight, I'd still take Laine over Matthews.

Agreed. Matthews will be #2 behind McDavid for the next decade.

Eichel and Marner will be challenging Matthews imo.
- walshyleafsfan

Laine? He is in that group with Eichel, Marner, Matthews...