What odds would you guys give OJ making the team this year and slowly moving up the depth chart?
- golfingsince

I would think demko, juolevi, and maybe dahlen are best bets for callups during injuries this year

I would think demko, juolevi, and maybe dahlen are best bets for callups during injuries this year
- Codes1087

So maybe Juolevi gets called up around Christmas and keeps his spot due to good play? Moves up to top 4 end of season? I don't know, just bandying about things.

I would think demko, juolevi, and maybe dahlen are best bets for callups during injuries this year
- Codes1087

This is the most exciting AHL group of prospects we've had in a long time

Sure. I think he could possibly get back to his rookie season form, but that's still bottom pair. Stecher has played better and gets a lot less love. I'd be shocked if he played well and yes it is all on him to into camp ready to rock. Best possible scenario is he plays well enough to recover the 4th we spent on Pouliot. In general, expecting more out of this d corps isn't much to ask considering how bad they were, but I just don't see it.
- neem55

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that doesn't give the love, most here think the guy is good...

I'm just speculating here, but I suspect one of the things TL wanted to do to compete is upgrade the D. If they are tanking (and I think they might be), surest way to do so is to put that same group of D/G's out there IMO.
- neem55

I think you're right. Linden's fanboys in the media are just spinning everything as hard as they can to make him look like a saint, but I'm glad Benning no longer has to work under him.

This is the most exciting AHL group of prospects we've had in a long time
- Nucker101

I agree. Lind, juolevi, dahlen, gadjovich will all make utica exciting. Jasek was doing some fun stuff as well, not sure its sustainable but exciting nevertheless.

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that doesn't give the love, most here think the guy is good...
- Makita

He's an inconsistent young dmen who's an excellent skater and has some decent puck skills. His play as a rookie is why many believe that he more to give. He just turned 24 a few months ago.

In the grand scheme of things, imagine our standards being so low that we are discussing the same 6 defenseman, who were all apart of being a bottom 5 defense in the league last year, being extended for another whole year. Unless benning is able to make a trade, he should be taking a lot more flack for being so daft in thinking this group can miraculously be better
- Codes1087

I saw Krug brought up last night and everyone posting were dead against making a trade.

So what's it going to be same sh!t "D" or trade for better "D".

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that doesn't give the love, most here think the guy is good...
- Makita

I dont think stecher is half as good as what i think people think he is. He has good work ethic, but i dont think that always translates into nhl success.

I agree. Lind, juolevi, dahlen, gadjovich will all make utica exciting. Jasek was doing some fun stuff as well, not sure its sustainable but exciting nevertheless.
- Codes1087

Yup, even the less hyped prospects like Brisebois, Palmu, Sautner, Jasek, McEwen, etc will be interesting to follow along with Demko, Juolevi, Dahlen, Lind, Gadjovich, potentially Gaudette.

Benning is a genius.
- Marwood

I saw Krug brought up last night and everyone posting were dead against making a trade.

So what's it going to be same sh!t "D" or trade for better "D".
- Makita

it's a lose-lose scenario for Benning with this fanbase/media. He gets ripped if he tries to upgrade the team, and gets ripped if he stands pat and brings back the same players. I've been guilty of doing the same myself in the past.


He can't win.

I saw Krug brought up last night and everyone posting were dead against making a trade.

So what's it going to be same sh!t "D" or trade for better "D".
- Makita

I saw that too. I also saw fabbro rumors. I think canuck fans are just reaching for something to be excited about in a boring month of aug.

I saw that too. I also saw fabbro rumors. I think canuck fans are just reaching for something to be excited about in a boring month of aug.
- Codes1087

Yup. Other than maybe a minor trade or a PTO, this is likely the set roster for training camp.

I saw Krug brought up last night and everyone posting were dead against making a trade.

So what's it going to be same sh!t "D" or trade for better "D".
- Makita

I'd rather bring back the same poop D than trade premium assets for a guy at his peak at this stage of the rebuild. In a couple of years, i'll probably feel differently.

I have no problems with signing a vet to play for a year, maybe two if we need the stability.

I'd rather bring back the same poop D then trade premium assets for a guy at his peak at this stage of the rebuild. In a couple of years, i'll probably feel differently.

I have no problems with signing a vet to play for a year, maybe two if we need the stability.
- golfingsince

This. I’m glad Benning didn’t go out and trade quality assets for a dman

This. I’m glad Benning didn’t go out and trade quality assets for a dman
- Nucker101

This will be a super unpopular opinion, but i would have rather benning just shipped away D instead of paying an arm and a leg for one. I think saughtner was excellent last year. I also think biega is better than gudbranson. I really don't care for gudbranson and del zotto so there would be my desire for movement. At the same time, i would want utica to have NHL capable D if we ever dealt any defenseman. Not sure who those are now

I'd rather bring back the same poop D than trade premium assets for a guy at his peak at this stage of the rebuild. In a couple of years, i'll probably feel differently.

I have no problems with signing a vet to play for a year, maybe two if we need the stability.
- golfingsince

Personally I have no desire to see Virtanen or Juolevi traded for a vet defense man.

The comments in here go from sh!tting on Benning for doing nothing and bring back the same crap to sh!tting on Benning for contemplating an upgrade.

As Nucker said the guy can't win for losing.

This will be a super unpopular opinion, but i would have rather benning just shipped away D instead of paying an arm and a leg for one. I think saughtner was excellent last year. I also think biega is better than gudbranson. I really don't care for gudbranson and del zotto so there would be my desire for movement. At the same time, i would want utica to have NHL capable D if we ever dealt any defenseman. Not sure who those are now
- Codes1087

I feel pretty much the same. I would have been fine shipping out all of Guddy MDZ Pouliot and Hutton

Personally I have no desire to see Virtanen or Juolevi traded for a vet defense man.

The comments in here go from sh!tting on Benning for doing nothing and bring back the same crap to sh!tting on Benning for contemplating an upgrade.

As Nucker said the guy can't win for losing.
- Makita

I tend to poop on him when he goes for a quick fix type of trade. I don't expect the team to be any good this season, and i'd rather develop than move assets for marginally better players.

I feel pretty much the same. I would have been fine shipping out all of Guddy MDZ Pouliot and Hutton
- NorthNuck

I agree, if they don't fit into long-term plans then they are expendable.

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that doesn't give the love, most here think the guy is good...
- Makita

He's part of the new leadership group.

What odds would you guys give OJ making the team this year and slowly moving up the depth chart?
- golfingsince

I think he will be here to stay no later than TDL and will improve into a Tanev like coma but be effective.He reminds me of Edler

He's part of the new leadership group.
- Marwood

Go god this team needs help in the worst way

I tend to poop on him when he goes for a quick fix type of trade. I don't expect the team to be any good this season, and i'd rather develop than move assets for marginally better players.
- golfingsince

I think the old bastard is going to get a promotion. There is a vacancy at the presidency and he does get along well with Aquilini (yes man)

I think along with the promotion Ryan Johnson will get promoted to GM of the Canucks. He has done a super job with the Comets.

Benning and Bracket do real good as a team with drafting . Benning and Johnson get along like a well oiled wheel and like I said JB and FA are butt buddies.

Just a hunch but I do know Aquilini likes the job Benning has done.