I wonder what this fanbase would be like if we had 3 forwards in their prime and struggle every year to make playoffs since the new GM has taken over.
Yes I am talking about Hextall and the Flyers.
Giroux Voracek and Simmonds have been wasted in that train wreck.
Although they have some nice looking young players coming into the system, that organization has squandered away an excellent opportunity. IMO.
- Reubenkincade

This fanbase is never happy.

This fanbase is never happy.
- Bettmanhatesus

lol…that is also true.

He has openly stated that he wants to remain competitive, does that mean he thinks playoffs, or does it mean he wants to not be in a situation where the team gets blown out and suffers lòng losing streaks?
I believe Bumbling Benning is smart enough to realize that this team is talent starved and he needs to provide some entertainment value until he can get enough young talent for the new core.
He started with one player, Bo.
Patience is needed here.
Any other team/GM had some type of base to start with, Henning on the other hand had next to nothing, in regards to youth.
I give him 2 more years to realistically get this team turned around.
Again, some patience is required.
- Reubenkincade

When I say I don't see a direction from him it's not about competing and building at the same time, everyone knows that's their mandate. I'm talking about the draft, who he's drafting (before last year), and about how he goes about filling gaps using picks and how he doesn't gather more picks which he should be doing.

Back from walking the dog and putting a new tarp on the woodpile, to answer your question, there are bunch of AHL players that could almost do the job of Grandlund and Baertschi are doing, the Pouliot deal was a good one.

Ray Ferraro talked about this very thing, instead of all those deals, which haven't really improved the team, they could've started rebuilding in 2014 through the draft and used AHL level players to finish where thgey finished anyways.

Anyways, beating a dead horse.
- LeftCoaster

I think granlund is part of the future, not top 6 though and he can move around when injuries happen, not sold on sven could be a trade chip.

But more than that, the mistakes that you make, can be corrected in house, rather than having to try, try again and continually be set back. You need infrastructure if you want to ever be able to be competitive once you have the core you want in place and are ready to make a run to be a contender.
- DariusKnight

Exactly. The two highest picks Van has had since the Sedin's aren't on the team yet. If they can pan out, you are adding two very good talents.

Crazy thing about the injuries Van has right now and them dropping in the standings is kind of a good thing. Can get a higher pick on a team that isn't the worst in the league. If you could add 3 elite talents to a core of players that has been building. Your probably looking like a jump that the TML had a couple years ago.

Who:
They traded a 1st and 2nd for a goalie. Van has Demko developing in the minors, who is looking pretty good. Don't need to sell 1st round picks to get a goalie.

Signed Marleau a year later a 37 year old. Already signed that player in Eriksson.

More than that, FA sure wouldn't take the bad press and negativity in the city if Benning had let the team crash hard like some people wanted. It's not like we'd be that much further ahead now then we are already. We might have a few shiny new toys (high draft picks) but they'd be struggling because there'd be no infrastructure around them to help them reach their full potential.

At least this team is designed to teach the new core coming in what it takes to win, and how not to accept losing and being accountable. You don't think Edmonton or Arizona could have used that instead of praying to whatever deity you believe in and relying on one generational talent to get you to where you want to go?
- DariusKnight

He did let the team crash, they finished 3rd and 2nd last in consecutive years?

This fanbase is never happy.
- Bettmanhatesus

Because they've never won and they've been mismanaged for much of their history, which goes back to never winning.

Back from walking the dog and putting a new tarp on the woodpile, to answer your question, there are bunch of AHL players that could almost do the job of Grandlund and Baertschi are doing, the Pouliot deal was a good one.

Ray Ferraro talked about this very thing, instead of all those deals, which haven't really improved the team, they could've started rebuilding in 2014 through the draft and used AHL level players to finish where thgey finished anyways.

Anyways, beating a dead horse.
- LeftCoaster

Yeah almost an AHL player can put up 30 points in the NHL. That's why they are in the AHL and not the NHL.

I wonder what this fanbase would be like if we had 3 forwards in their prime and struggle every year to make playoffs since the new GM has taken over.
Yes I am talking about Hextall and the Flyers.
Giroux Voracek and Simmonds have been wasted in that train wreck.
Although they have some nice looking young players coming into the system, that organization has squandered away an excellent opportunity. IMO.
- Reubenkincade

They're doing exactly what Benning is doing, rebuild and try to stay competitive. They should trade Simmonds, Giroux and Voracek, or at least two of them, to help their rebuild.

Without the Gagner, MDZ, Eriksson you get the mistakes like Jake and Goldobin. Without Gagner, MDZ and others you get the season that they had last year, which was unbearable to watch for most.

Those players aren't the end product but they are the watchable product while we allow the real product to develop.
- manvanfan

Who said MDZ? Virtanen has 1 G and 3 A less than Eriksson and is much more exciting to watch

Yeah almost an AHL player can put up 30 points in the NHL. That's why they are in the AHL and not the NHL.
- manvanfan

There are lots of guys who just need opportunities, look at William Karlsson is doing in Vegas and he didn't have great numbers in the AHL.

Because they've never won and they've been mismanaged for much of their history, which goes back to never winning.
- LeftCoaster

Lots of teams have never won the cup, its comes down to crappy owners imo, they have had some good teams to bad bettman has been the nhl boss or we would have at least a couple of cups.

There are lots of guys who just need opportunities, look at William Karlsson is doing in Vegas and he didn't have great numbers in the AHL.
- LeftCoaster

Ried boucher is looking good in utica

Back from walking the dog and putting a new tarp on the woodpile, to answer your question, there are bunch of AHL players that could almost do the job of Grandlund and Baertschi are doing, the Pouliot deal was a good one.

Ray Ferraro talked about this very thing, instead of all those deals, which haven't really improved the team, they could've started rebuilding in 2014 through the draft and used AHL level players to finish where thgey finished anyways.

Anyways, beating a dead horse.
- LeftCoaster

No there's not - and Yes those players have improved the team, otherwise we'd have guys like Megna, Molino, Cassels and even worse scrubs in the lineup. Just bcus Sven and Gran arent difference makers ala Horvat or Boeser, doesn't mean you can lump them in as AHLers, you have to give them more credit than that.
Plus SB, MG are still quite young and affordable so it doesn't really affect the rebuild and they could potentially be around for another 5-7 years and be key components once the real talent arrives.

Who said MDZ? Virtanen has 1 G and 3 A less than Eriksson and is much more exciting to watch
- VANTEL

PPG avg .52 for Eriksson and .24 for Virtanen.

There are lots of guys who just need opportunities, look at William Karlsson is doing in Vegas and he didn't have great numbers in the AHL.
- LeftCoaster

William Karlsson was the 3rd line center for Columbus for 2 years in a row. Now he is getting 1st line duties and better players to play with. He's soon to be 25 years old. He is on the exact same scoring pace as Granlund.

Ried boucher is looking good in utica
- Bettmanhatesus

Gaunce AHL numbers are awesome. Clearly any AHL player can score 30 points in the NHL.

I think next year we see petterson and gaudette in the lineup if ready, dahlin, palmu, oj in Utica, lind and gads in junior.

I think a lot of people could improve on his performance, hell Nucker would be better, depending on how much ownership is interfering though.
- LeftCoaster

Flagged

PPG avg .52 for Eriksson and .24 for Virtanen.
- manvanfan

Only in Canuckland do we get people defending 6 million dollar players with 5 goals as we approach the halfway mark

They're doing exactly what Benning is doing, rebuild and try to stay competitive. They should trade Simmonds, Giroux and Voracek, or at least two of them, so help their rebuild.
- LeftCoaster

My point was, Hextall has changed his path during his time as GM, just like Benning has.
He had 3 good forwards to work with in their prime, whereas Benning had players exiting prime.
Hextall signed his guys to very lengthy and expensive contracts and has not supported with the players needed to challenge for Cup.
He also signed MacDonald to a lengthy, expensive contract.
The comparison is similar IMO, except Hextall had a heck of a lot more going for Him, without all the problems left be hung from previous regime.
I am not a fan of Henning, but am a strong believer that any GM should be given 6 years to establish a clear direction for a team.

Gaunce AHL numbers are awesome. Clearly any AHL player can score 30 points in the NHL.
- manvanfan

I heard a report on boucher that's hes improved his overall play and I think if they call him up hes up for good or trade bait, I don't think he clears waivers.

I heard a report on boucher that's hes improved his overall play and I think if they call him up hes up for good or trade bait, I don't think he clears waivers.
- Bettmanhatesus

Emergency call ups are waiver free for 30 days

Only in Canuckland do we get people defending 6 million dollar players with 5 goals as we approach the halfway mark
- VANTEL

11 points in 21 games isnt bad - but he'll never earn that contract

11 points in 21 games isnt bad - but he'll never earn that contract
- Brooks_Light

They are decent numbers for Baertschi