I get it, he likes that the teams improved after failing four of the first five years under Benning, how could they not. I just don’t think Benning’s ever had a plan, if he has, he’s clearly failed at it but because of the system, which rewards failure, they were bound to get better eventually.
- Pacificgem

When Benning came on you said it will take about 6 years to rebuild and by the time it was over Benning would probably not be the GM.

Here we are 6 years later and the team is improved almost to the point of contend.

I don't care if Benning stays or goes but if he goes it can't be a step back.

I get it, he likes that the teams improved after failing four of the first five years under Benning, how could they not. I just don’t think Benning’s ever had a plan, if he has, he’s clearly failed at it but because of the system, which rewards failure, they were bound to get better eventually.
- Pacificgem

I don't either. He has flailed from one season to another with mixed messaging and accumulating obscene contracts. He talks about building from drafting but trades away a few picks every season. He is a fool.

I could tell you every anti Benning fan on here but come Lefty is not smarter than an actual GM.

I don't care at all if anyone likes Benning and I am not a huge fan but find me the proper upgrade.

Some of us don't hate everything he has done.
- VANTEL

He's made some great moves, i'll leave it at that.

Let's see this seems to be another theme of fire JB hire Brackett but Aquilini is the problem? But you like the improvement of the team and want to give credit elsewhere.
- NuckUp

I think Brackett has been part of the solution, not the problem. Will they fall apart without him, no, obviously not. I’ll suck to see him go but I’m positive his mantra about speed and skill has rubbed off on some of the group, I’m hopeful someone’s picked up on that.

The funny part is, we're how many years in the vision still doesn't seem clear(at least not to me). Heading into last summer it was starting to look clear with a lot of comments about being patient but then they blew their loads in free agency and traded a 1st and 2nd round pick along with a top 5 prospect in the system. I get that they want the young guys to experience winning, but I wonder how important the big picture is for this ownership/management versus making the playoffs asap.

It's a talented young core surrounded by random mix of role players who aren't good enough for the amount of total money they make, and none of the overpaid vets are easy to move thanks to NTC's.

Overpaid ageing role players with NTC's basically negates the amazing cap hit value you're getting out of EP, Miller, Markstrom and Hughes.

I don't think the sky is falling, but I think it's clear that JB/Weisbrod tend to overvalue veteran role players. I'd like to see the team focus more on developing homegrown role players that are cheap and can get similar(or better) results as guys like Sutter/Beagle/Schaller/Eriksson/Roussel have this season. Or try to target cheap players like Fatenberg and Leivo if you don't believe in your organizational depth. I don't buy the hindsight is 20/20 excuse either, all of those signings were met with criticism when they were announced. It's not like a lot of us were like "damn that's a really good value signing" except for the Ferland deal.


The other weakness I see is JB's overrating of his own prospects(which feels bizarre to say considering how he gives up picks like Halloween candy). I think he had a quote a few months ago where he said he expects 6 or 7 future NHL'ers from his prospect group. I'm assuming he means legit NHL'ers and not just "cup of tea" call-up AHL'ers. That seems like some serious wishful thinking. Even prospects who develop well in the AHL sometimes end up failing to become legit NHL'ers.



TLDR: Benning will find the cure to coronavirus
- Nucker101

Oh fuk

When Benning came on you said it will take about 6 years to rebuild and by the time it was over Benning would probably not be the GM.

Here we are 6 years later and the team is improved almost to the point of contend.

I don't care if Benning stays or goes but if he goes it can't be a step back.
- VANTEL

I’m unhappy with his process, not the results, when you fail the system is setup to help you improve regardless of your perceived incompetence.

"I like this team as much as I liked any Canuck team ever. "
"Benning ... I am not a huge fan."

These two sentiments seem at odds with one another.

He's a bubble team manager. The team needs a guy to take it to the next level. It won't happen due to Aquaman liking him but we'll get to see if Benning has the ability to take the next step.
- RealityChecker

I thought the same thing yesterday I asked myself is he good for the team when I wrote Fraancesco likes him. I didn't have an answer.

I am not a huge Benning fan at all and at times I think he is dumb but I don't mind what he has done.

I look at what he has done in the timeline and what he started with and he has met my expectations.

I have no problem on upgrading anyone ,GM , coach , head scout as long as the replacement makes improvements and we don't go backwards.

I finally really like a Canuck team dating all they way back to 92

I think Brackett has been part of the solution, not the problem. Will they fall apart without him, no, obviously not. I’ll suck to see him go but I’m positive his mantra about speed and skill has rubbed off on the group some I’m hopeful someone’s picked up on that.
- Pacificgem

Didn't Bracket say himself in interviews that was the directive given by JB for the scouting department. Made their selection ranking process easier.

Also, remember the awkward European skill North American heart phrase JB made. Wasn't that about speed and skill with tenacity?

He's no Burke on word language but something is ticking up there to get where the team is now. Isn't that possible?

He's made some great moves, i'll leave it at that.
- VanHockeyGuy

For sure he has, IMO there’s just been a lot more missteps in his tenure than positive ones.

This is all a moot point anyway, he’s not going anywhere. Benning and Weisbrod are getting rid of anyone who challenges their way of thinking and authority and they have the owners support.

It is what it is.

I’m unhappy with his process, not the results, when you fail the system is setup to help you improve regardless of your perceived incompetence.
- Pacificgem

No matter what happens there will always be two sides.

Something that came out of Bo's interview yesterday that impressed me. I did not like the choice as him as captain . He said yesterday it was a rough year and he learnt a lot. There was one or two games I seen him play and I was impressed as hell.

He basically showed me it is a process be patient , I will get there.

The other thing he said is if he could be isolated with anyone it would be Sutter. Sutter has been dragged over the coals in here for years and yet he is the one who has impressed the teams captain the most.

Sometimes all of us don't know the other side of the story.

I thought the same thing yesterday I asked myself is he good for the team when I wrote Fraancesco likes him. I didn't have an answer.

I am not a huge Benning fan at all and at times I think he is dumb but I don't mind what he has done.

I look at what he has done in the timeline and what he started with and he has met my expectations.

I have no problem on upgrading anyone ,GM , coach , head scout as long as the replacement makes improvements and we don't go backwards.

I finally really like a Canuck team dating all they way back to 92
- VANTEL

The funny thing about the 91-93 teams is that they underperformed and flamed out in the playoffs. The 94 team underperformed in the regular season and caught fire in the playoffs. They went in as the 7 or 8 seed in the conference.

Overall, I think FA likes Benning because they have the same outlook: make the playoffs and anything can happen.
I've always hated that philosophy because it's always about the current season at the expense of a long range plan.
If they get rid of Benning which won't happen until at least 2021 they will definitely have to take a step back. It's Benning's cap management that is the most worrisome. It will take a couple of seasons to get rid of the bad contracts that he's signed. At a time when the cap should be set up for a young team to transition to playoffs/contender level, it's a hindrance. That's all on Benning. Noone else. Not Aquaman. It's on JB.

No matter what happens there will always be two sides.

Something that came out of Bo's interview yesterday that impressed me. I did not like the choice as him as captain . He said yesterday it was a rough year and he learnt a lot. There was one or two games I seen him play and I was impressed as hell.

He basically showed me it is a process be patient , I will get there.

The other thing he said is if he could be isolated with anyone it would be Sutter. Sutter has been dragged over the coals in here for years and yet he is the one who has impressed the teams captain the most.

Sometimes all of us don't know the other side of the story.
- VANTEL

To me, that makes Bo as stupid as Benning. I guess it's better than finding Eriksson a leading role model.

No matter what happens there will always be two sides.

Something that came out of Bo's interview yesterday that impressed me. I did not like the choice as him as captain . He said yesterday it was a rough year and he learnt a lot. There was one or two games I seen him play and I was impressed as hell.

He basically showed me it is a process be patient , I will get there.

The other thing he said is if he could be isolated with anyone it would be Sutter. Sutter has been dragged over the coals in here for years and yet he is the one who has impressed the teams captain the most.

Sometimes all of us don't know the other side of the story.
- VANTEL

He's young still learning, JTM should get an A though. I've never had a problem with Sutter.

The funny thing about the 91-93 teams is that they underperformed and flamed out in the playoffs. The 94 team underperformed in the regular season and caught fire in the playoffs. They went in as the 7 or 8 seed in the conference.
Overall, I think FA likes Benning because they have the same outlook: make the playoffs and anything can happen.
I've always hated that philosophy because it's always about the current season at the expense of a long range plan.
If they get rid of Benning which won't happen until at least 2021 they will definitely have to take a step back. It's Benning's cap management that is the most worrisome. It will take a couple of seasons to get rid of the bad contracts that he's signed. At a time when the cap should be set up for a young team to transition to playoffs/contender level, it's a hindrance. That's all on Benning. Noone else. Not Aquaman. It's on JB.
- RealityChecker

But the Canucks are almost a playoff team.

But the Canucks are almost a playoff team.
- Marwood

Just wait until this offseason when they sign a UFA to a 5+ year deal that makes them a first round playoff team!

He's young still learning, JTM should get an A though. I've never had a problem with Sutter.
- VanHockeyGuy

This is why noone listens to you. 😉

No matter what happens there will always be two sides.

Something that came out of Bo's interview yesterday that impressed me. I did not like the choice as him as captain . He said yesterday it was a rough year and he learnt a lot. There was one or two games I seen him play and I was impressed as hell.

He basically showed me it is a process be patient , I will get there.

The other thing he said is if he could be isolated with anyone it would be Sutter. Sutter has been dragged over the coals in here for years and yet he is the one who has impressed the teams captain the most.

Sometimes all of us don't know the other side of the story.
- VANTEL

There’s a lot of moving parts and it’d take a book to comment on all of them, but you’re right, things take time. No ones debating that.

And trust me, a lot goes on in the room that you’ll never know or hear about regarding character guys, who’s learning and who’s teaching, strong personalities vs quiet guys, etc.

If I were the GM of the Canucks I’d say the same thing that was said about the 2015 team, this team is punching above their weight class. Something I don’t think Benning would ever say even behind closed doors.

Their poor play has been masked by great goaltending all year, the numbers will tell you that. I’d still be very much in the building phase with this group. At first I didn’t like the Miller trade, but in retrospect he’s been the Canucks second best player and a real leader in the room. That’s a win for JB.

I like the Toffoli trade because the team was so close to a playoff spot I felt like they deserved a shot at it. All that said, I still feel like they’re in over their heads with how they play and how they’re constructed.

This is why noone listens to you. 😉
- RealityChecker

For sure he has, IMO there’s just been a lot more missteps in his tenure than positive ones.

This is all a moot point anyway, he’s not going anywhere. Benning and Weisbrod are getting rid of anyone who challenges their way of thinking and authority and they have the owners support.

It is what it is.
- Pacificgem

Okay so we're stuck with him. Maybe your organizational theory is better to have differing opinions in a management team instead of supporters of a plan.

But where is the trend going now such as more positives like JTM and less impacting misses like Ferland. Despite the ugly past its important that he's learned to make the team trend up.

The funny thing about the 91-93 teams is that they underperformed and flamed out in the playoffs. The 94 team underperformed in the regular season and caught fire in the playoffs. They went in as the 7 or 8 seed in the conference.
Overall, I think FA likes Benning because they have the same outlook: make the playoffs and anything can happen.
I've always hated that philosophy because it's always about the current season at the expense of a long range plan.
If they get rid of Benning which won't happen until at least 2021 they will definitely have to take a step back. It's Benning's cap management that is the most worrisome. It will take a couple of seasons to get rid of the bad contracts that he's signed. At a time when the cap should be set up for a young team to transition to playoffs/contender level, it's a hindrance. That's all on Benning. Noone else. Not Aquaman. It's on JB.
- RealityChecker

Francesco probably likes Benning because the buildings are full and the fan base is invested.

The merchandise is rolling off the shelves , team is in the playoff hunt and people are talking Canucks 365 days a year.

As far as the cap Chris Gear and Johnathan Wall are now handling things for the Canucks and over the last two years the contracts seem to be much better.

Okay so we're stuck with him. Maybe your organizational theory is better to have differing opinions in a management team instead of supporters of a plan.

But where is the trend going now such as more positives like JTM and less impacting misses like Ferland. Despite the ugly past its important that he's learned to make the team trend up.
- NuckUp

Myers and Benn. That's this year.

So do we keep the draft picks this year or not?

Myers and Benn. That's this year.
- Marwood

Why are they misses?

No matter what happens there will always be two sides.

Something that came out of Bo's interview yesterday that impressed me. I did not like the choice as him as captain . He said yesterday it was a rough year and he learnt a lot. There was one or two games I seen him play and I was impressed as hell.

He basically showed me it is a process be patient , I will get there.

The other thing he said is if he could be isolated with anyone it would be Sutter. Sutter has been dragged over the coals in here for years and yet he is the one who has impressed the teams captain the most.

Sometimes all of us don't know the other side of the story.
- VANTEL

It's early in Bo's career as a 'C'. I think he will get it. I wanted Bo as Captain as I thought he had earned it for the most part, but wavered a bit on him as the season progressed. I still don't think Pettersson would have been a better choice at this point.

Maybe if Sutter was the 'C' we'd have a 65 point season like a few in here seem to want year after year after year It really does suck that the team is improving albeit slowly lol