The leafs were in a MUCH better situation for a rebuild when Shanahan and LL took over. They had some good pieces in place, and had some high 1st round picks (Kadri/Reilly/Gardiner). Benning inherited a poop show. To answer your question, I would say we are at least 2-3 years away from being competitive. Leafs are still fighting to make playoffs and defensively are terrible, so it's not as though their rebuild is done..
- Codes1087

Yes I agree they did inherit some nice pieces from Nonis and Burke, namely Kadri, Reilly and Nylander. Benning only had younger players like Horvat and Hutton, plus a 6th overall pick.

True, he does look for hits over there and it usually leans toward everything Leafs when he's looking for hits.
- Pacificgem

I took a quick look and locked onto his end of season standings... if I read it properly, Canucks finish with 70pts, 27th place.

Go lotto simulator.

We r 1 top playmaking C away from respectability.

We r 1 top playmaking C away from respectability.
- Nighthawk

and a couple of bounces right?

and a couple of bounces right?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Just a few 😂😂

We r 1 top playmaking C away from respectability.
- Nighthawk

Surely you can't be serious?

I'm comfortable with our wingers for goal scoring.
What we lack is them getting service.
Our offence from D is a major sore point.

Surely you can't be serious?
- Pacificgem

What is your definition of respectability?

Surely you can't be serious?
- Pacificgem

- belcherbd

LOL, I was just thinking that!

We r 1 top playmaking C away from respectability.
- Nighthawk

1 top line center,

and 3 expiring contracts. and 1 less head coach that plays a boring style of game, and 10 more respectable prospects, and a new AHL farm coach, and a new owner, and a new jersey logo, and better beer prices at the concession.. What else have we complained about in the last few years :D

What is your definition of respectability?
- Nighthawk

I would guess different than yours. I don't want to pigeonhole it to one or two things, but if I were to simplify it, how about not finishing in the bottom fourteen in the league?

1 top line center,

and 3 expiring contracts. and 1 less head coach that plays a boring style of game, and 10 more respectable prospects, and a new AHL farm coach, and a new owner, and a new jersey logo, and better beer prices at the concession.. What else have we complained about in the last few years :D
- Codes1087

and a partridge in a pear tree.

and a partridge in a pear tree.
- A_SteamingLombardi

The way i break our team down is as follows...

Depth on the wings & scoring ability is there.
At C we lack overall the playmakers setting up the wingers.
The D is woeful at scoring & no PP QB dooms us.
The PK has gone south but is fixable.
In goal we have sufficient quality.
A C like Sutter needs wingers that can skate & bang & forecheck & add in some goals. He doesn't distibute the puck well for a C.
BO is versatile & needs speedy scoring wingers.
Hank & Daniel r playing out the string.
4th line adds very lil to no offence & is still a project.

We r 1 top playmaking C away from respectability.
- Nighthawk

Outside of daryl sutter Id say one of the LA kings strengths is they have good centers throughout the lineup.

Not sure 1 more for us will make us a contender, but In addition to Bo it will be a huge step forward. If it pushes our Sutter to 3rd line duty we have a good lineup at C.

Didn't someone mention at one time they're three years away from being three years away?

I would guess different than yours. I don't want to pigeonhole it to one or two things, but if I were to simplify it, how about not finishing in the bottom fourteen in the league?
- Pacificgem

I'd say if we had more threats to score & the PP had a true ability to score we would be on our way. The PK is dismal & needs to greatly improve.

Didn't someone mention at one time they're three years away from being three years away?
- Pacificgem

if they said that when Benning took over, at the time, would you have agreed?

1 top line center,

and 3 expiring contracts. and 1 less head coach that plays a boring style of game, and 10 more respectable prospects, and a new AHL farm coach, and a new owner, and a new jersey logo, and better beer prices at the concession.. What else have we complained about in the last few years :D
- Codes1087

and Change the poutine to chapoutine

Outside of daryl sutter Id say one of the LA kings strengths is they have good centers throughout the lineup.

Not sure 1 more for us will make us a contender, but In addition to Bo it will be a huge step forward. If it pushes our Sutter to 3rd line duty we have a good lineup at C.
- SMBDragon

1 top C won't make us a contender but would make us better.
2 scoring lines is needed & that is not there atm or anytime soon.
The D is a glairing problem supplying offence.

if they said that when Benning took over, at the time, would you have agreed?
- Codes1087

I remember feeling hopeful when Benning and Linden took over, but I'm not sure if I had a timeline in mind back then? By the middle of his second year I was in disgust with the whole organization, I wanted them to rebuild through the draft, which didn't happen.

It took a few years for everyone to get on the same page in the organization but I think they're there now with rebuilding through the draft.

if they said that when Benning took over, at the time, would you have agreed?
- Codes1087

I don't think anyone could have predicted how bad the Sedins got in such a short period of time

if they said that when Benning took over, at the time, would you have agreed?
- Codes1087

I think most people thought we were at least 5 years away from being competitive when Benning came in. Unfortunately, mgmt wasn't in that majority.

I'm sure we would of been competitive by now though if we didn't have the Sedins.

I don't think anyone could have predicted how bad the Sedins got in such a short period of time
- CanuckDon

good timing..