I can't say for sure, if he has helped or not.
Bo has improved immensely, bit can we give Manny the credit, or is that just his drive too be the best he can be.
I am sure Cloutier has helped improve the goaltending and Baumgartner has improved the defense, just like Linden helped improve the management structure.
- Reubenkincade

This year, Cloutier isn't running things. He's the director of goaltending (whatever that means) Clark has been the Canucks goalie coach this year and I think it has paid off immensely.

the funny thing is that people think that the gm is a learn as you go job.

sorry, but that's not how things should work at the top.

you could be right about bringing in a pres/uber-boss to over see things but where does that lead? that guy will want his own gm who will want his own coach. so we're back at firing benning and getting someone new.

either give benning all the leeway he needs to make the decisions or don't.

at the top, there should be a clear direction where the organization is heading and all moves should support that vision. i haven't seen that in the 5 years since benning has been here.

you can blame whomever you want but at the end of the day he is the highest hired person in charge. bosses who learn on the job usually talk about how they were right to be fired when they get hired again.
- RealityChecker

There’s a new direction and new core group of players, have you watched a Canucks game lately?

I disagree. I could see one of them making the lineup right out of camp much like Stecher did. I’m not saying the d is fixed, ive never said anything close to that. I said good on adding depth to our weakest position. Unless im wrong and we hang onto some rfa’s, there’s going to be a few spots up for grabs. Those guys, much like Stecher, are a but furher ahead in their development/older than the other kids in the system. I fully expect at least a UFA signing on d but im hoping he goes for a big trade too.
- neem55

you could see one of the 3 undrafted free agents that Benning just signed making the team next year out of camp?!?! I doubt a single one of those players are further in development than Sautner/Brisebois/Schenn, but thats just my opinion.

i admire your optimism.

I can't believe fans seem to want our old retreads back, whether it be Gillis or Burke or Vigneault or Linden or even some of the players...always good for a chuckle.
- Reubenkincade

It's called desperation. When the situation looks hopeless people have a tendency to look for miracles.

Heard Ralph Krueger's name linked to VAN a couple of times.

you could see one of the 3 undrafted free agents that Benning just signed making the team next year out of camp?!?! I doubt a single one of those players are further in development than Sautner/Brisebois/Schenn, but thats just my opinion.

i admire your optimism.
- Codes1087

I could see one of the two dmen, the goalie position is clearly full. Brisbois still has a ways to go. Schenn has been a nice story but should never be counted on for much imo. Sauntner is close, there will be a few spots. Juolevi, sauntner will have the lead but i dont think it’s that unheard of for ncaa free agents to make a lineup the following year. Seems to happen a lot.

He's trying to stir the pot.
- VanHockeyGuy

I was just concerned about his dementia

There’s a new direction and new core group of players, have you watched a Canucks game lately?
- neem55

I have. There are 2 or 3 players with elite players on a team of fringe 3rd liners and a defense made of college players. They won't make the playoffs until Benning is fired and this team is managed properly.

I can't believe fans seem to want our old retreads back, whether it be Gillis or Burke or Vigneault or Linden or even some of the players...always good for a chuckle.
- Reubenkincade

^ this

Obviously mentor was a poor choice of words it should have been buffer.

I have worked at my job for 45 years and there is always something to learn . When I work with others in my age bracket we are constantly teaching and learning from each other. Anyone thinking you learn everything in 5 years well no comment.

I do like the idea of a few asst GMs but I am not sure anyone should be taking advice from the Ex GM who ran this team into the ground .
- VANTEL

All true but we're talking about a team that needed to go through a very difficult rebuild and that's not the time to bring in a management group with very little experience in that department.

After you build a strong core sure, but not before.

I could see one of the two dmen, the goalie position is clearly full.
- neem55

Benning signed 3 D men. One of Rafferty/Teves/Elliot?

There’s a new direction and new core group of players, have you watched a Canucks game lately?
- neem55

It's called desperation. When the situation looks hopeless people have a tendency to look for miracles.
- bloatedmosquito

^^^^^^^

This is why Marwood kicked you off the cheer leading squad.

- RealityChecker

I have. There are 2 or 3 players with elite players on a team of fringe 3rd liners and a defense made of college players. They won't make the playoffs until Benning is fired and this team is managed properly.
- Marwood

we (the haters) are just scared that he/they are going to go hard for the playoffs next year.

a race to mediocrity. perennial bubble team.

I ran the simulator a few times

Heard Ralph Krueger's name linked to VAN a couple of times.
- VanHockeyGuy

wasn't/isn't he content running that football/soccer team?

interesting candidate. seems like the polar opposite of benning.

definitely a guy you'd want to interview to get his insights (!!!!) but i'm not sure he'd be the best candidate. him as the president after gillis would have been interesting.

Benning signed 3 D men. One of Rafferty/Teves/Elliot?
- Codes1087

Didn’t hear about elliott, im guessing he is a ahl contract not nhl?

Didn’t hear about elliott, im guessing he is a ahl contract not nhl?
- neem55

They signed him back in 2018 to a 3 year elc.

This year, Cloutier isn't running things. He's the director of goaltending (whatever that means) Clark has been the Canucks goalie coach this year and I think it has paid off immensely.
- 93Nucks

Cloutier was also hired in 2012 September under another GM , though promoted by Benning did not hire Baumgaurtner (September 2012 ) either although promoted by JB,and did not sign Linden obviously.

I ran the simulator a few times
- VanHockeyGuy

Why do you guys do that to yourselves? Seems like torture to me.

wasn't/isn't he content running that football/soccer team?

interesting candidate. seems like the polar opposite of benning.

definitely a guy you'd want to interview to get his insights (!!!!) but i'm not sure he'd be the best candidate. him as the president after gillis would have been interesting.
- RealityChecker

I heard he was approached a few years ago by VAN and turned it down, but also left the door open. Apparently highly regarded.

Packaged with others that are walking for nothing?



- boonerbuck

Goldy, Gaunce, Hutton and Eriksson for Barzal and Whalstrom.

Why do you guys do that to yourselves? Seems like torture to me.
- bloatedmosquito

i expect to draft anywhere between 9th and 12th, anything higher is gravy

we (the haters) are just scared that he/they are going to go hard for the playoffs next year.

a race to mediocrity. perennial bubble team.
- RealityChecker

I'm terrified about what they are going to do to 'try' to be a playoff team next season. The other thing that scares the sh*t out of me is Benning looking for a defensemen in the 21-25 age brackett to grow with the team. That will cost. A lot. They can't help but rush the process.