Which could be the case. Benning will want a 4 year deal and the Nucks will probably offer a 2 year deal. I think Benning deserves a shot to finish what he started but it certainly doesn't appear the case.
- LordHumungous

It boils down to ownership. Do they want to stay 'competitive' and push for the playoffs each season or do they want to stick to last TDL's change of direction and trade assets for picks & prospects while developing the young talent?
Until there is a clear and cohesive message about what exactly the plan is moving forward, both short term and long term, it's anyone's guess.
If Benning walks will the next GM just be another 'Yes' man to the Aqulini's? Most likely. It will be some old school GM with one last kick at the can before retirement. It will be a cushy job just follow the direction of the owner without having to do your own work.


On a side note, I don't get filled with confidence seeing the Canuck management box filled with previous players from all eras of this failed franchise in their different roles. It would be nice to see some faces from winning teams in the mix.

Link where Gaudette is leaving?
Lost Butcher gained Keefoot.
- Nighthawk

Over the past 5-6 years it's a growing trend (as in numerous players have done this). Therefore, if it's incentive for Gaudette to start early (and in doing so not be tempted to sign with another team) it is a good option.

It boils down to ownership. Do they want to stay 'competitive' and push for the playoffs each season or do they want to stick to last TDL's change of direction and trade assets for picks & prospects while developing the young talent?
Until there is a clear and cohesive message about what exactly the plan is moving forward, both short term and long term, it's anyone's guess.
If Benning walks will the next GM just be another 'Yes' man to the Aqulini's? Most likely. It will be some old school GM with one last kick at the can before retirement. It will be a cushy job just follow the direction of the owner without having to do your own work.


On a side note, I don't get filled with confidence seeing the Canuck management box filled with previous players from all eras of this failed franchise in their different roles. It would be nice to see some faces from winning teams in the mix.
- Marwood

Yep all good points. But you said it...biggest hurdle is the Aquafeenies will they let the right thing happen?

Over the past 5-6 years it's a growing trend (as in numerous players have done this). Therefore, if it's incentive for Gaudette to start early (and in doing so not be tempted to sign with another team) it is a good option.
- neem55

calm your tits
http://www.thehockeynews....-s-just-business-as-usual

Stop being paranoid, there has been 0 indication that gaudette will leave.

Rookie of the year 2019
- mauryballstein

Probably

It boils down to ownership. Do they want to stay 'competitive' and push for the playoffs each season or do they want to stick to last TDL's change of direction and trade assets for picks & prospects while developing the young talent?
Until there is a clear and cohesive message about what exactly the plan is moving forward, both short term and long term, it's anyone's guess.
If Benning walks will the next GM just be another 'Yes' man to the Aqulini's? Most likely. It will be some old school GM with one last kick at the can before retirement. It will be a cushy job just follow the direction of the owner without having to do your own work.


On a side note, I don't get filled with confidence seeing the Canuck management box filled with previous players from all eras of this failed franchise in their different roles. It would be nice to see some faces from winning teams in the mix.
- Marwood

Just throw Pennywise into the box with the Losers Club

I was going to add the same comment. League already mentioned the new pricetag is $650m; if $500m gets you the Golden Knights, then $650m only 3 years later should be worth about the same
- WhiteLie

exactly. any person bringing that much money into a business is going to have major clout as to his entry conditions... especially when he'll want the same deal as the investor that came in just before him.

Over the past 5-6 years it's a growing trend (as in numerous players have done this). Therefore, if it's incentive for Gaudette to start early (and in doing so not be tempted to sign with another team) it is a good option.
- neem55

Its a valid concern but Gaudette has given no indication of being dissatisfied with the Canucks. Seems to have a lot of friends in the organization already, including Demko who left college without burning a year of his ELC after taking a few weeks to decide. The team has top 6 openings in Utica and among the weakest competition at the NHL level league-wide IMO; all of which seem like the perfect scenario for a kid looking for a spot

calm your tits
http://www.thehockeynews....-s-just-business-as-usual

Stop being paranoid, there has been 0 indication that gaudette will leave.
- anavar

Whose not calm? I agree it's unlikely, just pointing out that as one reason why letting him burn a year is incentive for him to sign.

Whose not calm? I agree it's unlikely, just pointing out that as one reason why letting him burn a year is incentive for him to sign.
- neem55

Everyone should have a woodpile.

It boils down to ownership. Do they want to stay 'competitive' and push for the playoffs each season or do they want to stick to last TDL's change of direction and trade assets for picks & prospects while developing the young talent?
Until there is a clear and cohesive message about what exactly the plan is moving forward, both short term and long term, it's anyone's guess.
If Benning walks will the next GM just be another 'Yes' man to the Aqulini's? Most likely. It will be some old school GM with one last kick at the can before retirement. It will be a cushy job just follow the direction of the owner without having to do your own work.


On a side note, I don't get filled with confidence seeing the Canuck management box filled with previous players from all eras of this failed franchise in their different roles. It would be nice to see some faces from winning teams in the mix.
- Marwood

i mostly agree with this which is why i really don't have a strong opinion as to management.

it really comes down to, which direction is the team going and who controls it?

in my opinion, it feels like we have a eugene melnyk type with money i.e. more hands on than he should be. until that changes, i don't think it really matters who is in charge of running it day to day.

it matters but not to the extent that i have an opinion as to whether the current regime should go.

Its a valid concern but Gaudette has given no indication of being dissatisfied with the Canucks. Seems to have a lot of friends in the organization already, including Demko who left college without burning a year of his ELC after taking a few weeks to decide. The team has top 6 openings in Utica and among the weakest competition at the NHL level league-wide IMO; all of which seem like the perfect scenario for a kid looking for a spot
- WhiteLie

Yeah, those are good reasons and there is no indication he wants to play elsewhere. But there was a lot of room for Butcher to go to Colorado too.

Whose not calm? I agree it's unlikely, just pointing out that as one reason why letting him burn a year is incentive for him to sign.
- neem55

So that he is eligible for the next expansion draft?

Everyone should have a woodpile.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I'm going there now after getting up to date in the plotting thread.

So that he is eligible for the next expansion draft?
- Marwood

Ya Whitelie brought that up, it's a good point. Maybe not good enough to bring up as if it wasn't brought up already though.

Yeah, those are good reasons and there is no indication he wants to play elsewhere. But there was a lot of room for Butcher to go to Colorado too.
- neem55

i think it's one of those new wrinkles that teams have to be on top of.

with any ncaa draft pick, you have to be in constant contact with the player/gm. figure out where the kid's head is at (aside from where is game is).

i would assume that jb is on top of it but with any ncaa signing there is always that small amount of fear.

that fear never used to be there. that in and of itself is proof of the ncaa trend.

exactly. any person bringing that much money into a business is going to have major clout as to his entry conditions... especially when he'll want the same deal as the investor that came in just before him.
- RealityChecker

The biggest difference I see between the two is that the expansion rules for Vegas only gave them a year to prepare. Seattle will lose the advantage Vegas had, as everyone knows to prepare for it (either by eliminating NMC's, avoid signing ELCs, etc.); they wont be able to take advantage of as many teams unless the league changes the rules again to favour Seattle

i mostly agree with this which is why i really don't have a strong opinion as to management.

it really comes down to, which direction is the team going and who controls it?

in my opinion, it feels like we have a eugene melnyk type with money i.e. more hands on than he should be. until that changes, i don't think it really matters who is in charge of running it day to day.

it matters but not to the extent that i have an opinion as to whether the current regime should go.
- RealityChecker

I really just want to know if they want to be competitive or are they re-building? They answer to this day continues to be both and that makes me spread negative hyperbole.

I really just want to know if they want to be competitive or are they re-building? They answer to this day continues to be both and that makes me spread negative hyperbole.
- Marwood

I just shake my head and laugh at the people that believe the teams dribble.

The biggest difference I see between the two is that the expansion rules for Vegas only gave them a year to prepare. Seattle will lose the advantage Vegas had, as everyone knows to prepare for it (either by eliminating NMC's, avoid signing ELCs, etc.); they wont be able to take advantage of as many teams unless the league changes the rules again to favour Seattle
- WhiteLie

good point... assuming there are forward thinking gm's

I just shake my head and laugh at the people that believe the teams dribble.
- A_SteamingLombardi

that re-tool on the fly still makes me physically angry.

Yeah, those are good reasons and there is no indication he wants to play elsewhere. But there was a lot of room for Butcher to go to Colorado too.
- neem55

I do think Butcher was a surprise, as he played in Denver already, but each case is different. It should've been easy for the Avs to keep him happy, but maybe he was too close and saw some organizational issues he didnt like?

I do think the social media interactions between him and the other prospects is a good sign for him being happy to be a Canuck prospect though. Guys want to be with a good group and have opportunity

good point... assuming there are forward thinking gm's
- RealityChecker

JB was forward thinking enough to have Loui's NMC become an NTC in time for the expansion draft...

JB was forward thinking enough to have Loui's NMC become an NTC in time for the expansion draft...
- WhiteLie

Mind blown.

I do think Butcher was a surprise, as he played in Denver already, but each case is different. It should've been easy for the Avs to keep him happy, but maybe he was too close and saw some organizational issues he didnt like?

I do think the social media interactions between him and the other prospects is a good sign for him being happy to be a Canuck prospect though. Guys want to be with a good group and have opportunity
- WhiteLie

I agree. I think he came out of the young stars camp looking really good and seemed to like his experience. I am often the devil's advocate, I mean as long as he signs I ultimately don't care. If he signed and then played in the AHL it wouldn't burn a year correct?