You probably need a competent GM first
- Pacificgem

Good thing we have a really competent one with Benning

You probably need a competent GM first
- Pacificgem

You need a GM that is willing to select defensemen with the 2nd 3rd and 4th round picks.

So, when did/does the clock start? Are we five years into rebuilding the D, one, two?

I would say two, three or four more seasons until we see real improvement.
- 1970vintage

Next year we will see more flow. Only the beginning though. Once OJ is ready for full time that will set us up for the likes of Woo to develop as a pro with Rathbone in the 2-3yr range. That’s pinning lots of hope on our offensive D draftees. Those 3 offer very nice skating & portends for better break outs

Good thing we have a really competent one with Benning
- Makita

He has strengths and weaknesses. I think he needs more support / has too many responsibilities. They should have another AGM at the very least.

Good thing we have a really competent one with Benning
- Makita

To each their own, I don’t think he’s good enough at all facets of the position to be competent, but, he’s good at spending to the cap and finishing at the bottom of the league, I’ll give him that.

You need a GM that is willing to select defensemen with the 2nd 3rd and 4th round picks.
- Reubenkincade

I agree with this when the draft allows for that. We needed so many pieces at JB’s start it is only now looking good to stockpile talent. Still needing Top 6 LW’s.

You need a GM that is willing to select defensemen with the 2nd 3rd and 4th round picks.
- Reubenkincade

It has to be a priority for the organization, we didn’t have any prospects to speak of when Benning took over, so in his defense, he had his work cut out for him.

He has strengths and weaknesses. I think he needs more support / has too many responsibilities. They should have another AGM at the very least.
- 1970vintage

Rather see a Pres with experience lead the way. A hockey man/player like Francis is my want. His playing days as one of the best 2-way C’s in the game & managing the Canes restricted on the payroll & his patience on trading was pretty solid.

He has strengths and weaknesses. I think he needs more support / has too many responsibilities. They should have another AGM at the very least.
- 1970vintage

I actually agree with your entire post regarding Benning.

To each their own, I don’t think he’s good enough at all facets of the position to be competent, but, he’s good at spending to the cap and finishing at the bottom of the league, I’ll give him that.
- Pacificgem

Spending to the cap? How so? 😂

To each their own, I don’t think he’s good enough at all facets of the position to be competent, but, he’s good at spending to the cap and finishing at the bottom of the league, I’ll give him that.
- Pacificgem

Well to each their own, I don’t agree with anything you have to say on Benning, so there’s that.

I actually agree with your entire post regarding Benning.
- Makita

#bestfriendsnow

It has to be a priority for the organization, we didn’t have any prospects to speak of when Benning took over, so in his defense, he had his work cut out for him.
- Pacificgem

Ok I’ll give you one I agree on

On Benning initially with TL there wasn’t a big enough management team. The Leafs for an example had a different approach & it’s worked fairly well. On that note I’d put it on TL but yes Jimbo needs more help. With Judd & Johnson that’s a great start but we do need a top pro scout. Our associate coaches need upgrading & Baumer is who i single out.

To each their own, I don’t think he’s good enough at all facets of the position to be competent, but, he’s good at spending to the cap and finishing at the bottom of the league, I’ll give him that.
- Pacificgem

Its really easy to sit there and say that for where youre sitting. I feel like you aren't looking at the big picture. Ultimately JB wears every player decision but it should go with saying that management, ownership, coaching and scouting all go into deciding the direction of the team i.e. players to draft, sign, style of play, rebuild vs retool...

He was left with ZERO in the cupboards, saddled with NMC/NTC's, expectations of ownership.....I think thats why he's been given a long leash with ownership.

I think he's definitely been above average in drafting. Every draft is not going to be a homerun - name one GM who does? His trades certainly have left a sour taste on many occasions but I commend him for trying to be proactive - thank god he isn't Mike Milbury!

Its this god damn fickle Vancouver market that I find infuriating. Half you guys talk out your ass yet seem to dominate the narrative here.

If there is blame, I put it on FA for not embracing the rebuild earlier. I know Vantel trumpeted that ages ago....I support JB and will continue to do so.....

Rather see a Pres with experience lead the way. A hockey man/player like Francis is my want. His playing days as one of the best 2-way C’s in the game & managing the Canes restricted on the payroll & his patience on trading was pretty solid.
- Nighthawk

Meh, president is just a made up job for fanboy owners to have one more of their heroes around. But sure, a guy who Benji answers to could work as long as that person has some actual hockey operations related function and isn’t just a media / PR personality.

#bestfriendsnow


- 1970vintage

Have always been a fan, even when we disagree

Its really easy to sit there and say that for where youre sitting. I feel like you aren't looking at the big picture. Ultimately JB wears every player decision but it should go with saying that management, ownership, coaching and scouting all go into deciding the direction of the team i.e. players to draft, sign, style of play, rebuild vs retool...

He was left with ZERO in the cupboards, saddled with NMC/NTC's, expectations of ownership.....I think thats why he's been given a long leash with ownership.

I think he's definitely been above average in drafting. Every draft is not going to be a homerun - name one GM who does? His trades certainly have left a sour taste on many occasions but I commend him for trying to be proactive - thank god he isn't Mike Milbury!

Its this god damn fickle Vancouver market that I find infuriating. Half you guys talk out your ass yet seem to dominate the narrative here.

If there is blame, I put it on FA for not embracing the rebuild earlier. I know Vantel trumpeted that ages ago....I support JB and will continue to do so.....
- chompsey

Way to set a low bar! You’ve convinced me, Benning is better than the worst GM in the history of the game...

Its really easy to sit there and say that for where youre sitting. I feel like you aren't looking at the big picture. Ultimately JB wears every player decision but it should go with saying that management, ownership, coaching and scouting all go into deciding the direction of the team i.e. players to draft, sign, style of play, rebuild vs retool...

He was left with ZERO in the cupboards, saddled with NMC/NTC's, expectations of ownership.....I think thats why he's been given a long leash with ownership.

I think he's definitely been above average in drafting. Every draft is not going to be a homerun - name one GM who does? His trades certainly have left a sour taste on many occasions but I commend him for trying to be proactive - thank god he isn't Mike Milbury!

Its this god damn fickle Vancouver market that I find infuriating. Half you guys talk out your ass yet seem to dominate the narrative here.

If there is blame, I put it on FA for not embracing the rebuild earlier. I know Vantel trumpeted that ages ago....I support JB and will continue to do so.....
- chompsey

Ownership got in the way agreed. The fans want draft picks & patience but show very little with management hence fickle. That defines our fanbase who want to lay blame far too often on something using the past 50yrs as their argument. I to support JB knowing he had the dirty job of following marching orders born to fail.

Way to set a low bar! You’ve convinced me, Benning is better than the worst GM in the history of the game...
- 1970vintage

Oh, I don't know, I could think of half a dozen Leaf GM's worse than JB too!

Meh, president is just a made up job for fanboy owners to have one more of their heroes around. But sure, a guy who Benji answers to could work as long as that person has some actual hockey operations related function and isn’t just a media / PR personality.
- 1970vintage

I agree other than Francis is not a figure head & his playing career as a consummate team player translate into being good at hands on hockey decisions. My thinking is his playing style back then applies to today & more players like Bo & EP are what we need. Bergeron imo is one the best in the game & what it takes to win cups. High character players adding hockey IQ goes a long ways.

Way to set a low bar! You’ve convinced me, Benning is better than the worst GM in the history of the game...
- 1970vintage

Left field comment if i ever heard one lol

2014 - Florida, Buffalo, Edm, Calgary, NYI, Van, Carolina, Tor, Win, Anaheim
2015 - Edm, Buffalo, AZ, Tor, Carolina, NJ, Phil, CBJ, SJ, Colorado
2016 - Tor, Win, CBJ, Edm, Van, Calgary, AZ, Buffalo, Mon, Colorado
2017 - NJ, Phil, Dallas, Colorado, Van, Vegas, NYR, Buffalo, Detroit, Florida
2018 - Buffalo, Carolina, Mon, Ottawa, AZ, Detroit, Van, Chi, NYR, Edm

Just thought I’d see who had the most top ten picks in the past five drafts and who’s gotten the best results from it. Kinda obvious everyone got better but some teams had better groups that they added those kids to. Vancouver wasn’t one of those teams.

Buffalo- 5
Vancouver - 4
Edmonton - 4
Colorado - 3
Carolina - 3
Toronto - 3
AZ - 3
Winnipeg - 2
NJ - 2
Phil - 2
NYR - 2
Calgary - 2
Detroit - 2

Oh, I don't know, I could think of half a dozen Leaf GM's worse than JB too!
- chompsey

Add the Oilers & Milbury & we start running out of fingers 😂

Ok I’ll give you one I agree on
- Makita

I really want what everyone else wants, for the team to get better