Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Takeaways From the Calder Cup, Coaching Candidates Will the Lake Erie Monsters' Calder Cup championship impact the activity of their parent club, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the third-overall pick at the draft?

I know I am one of the few but I like the direction the team has taken .I see almost a totally new roster with some youth and the 23-28 group filling in nicely.I think Benning has done a vey good job.
- VANTEL

Again, he's done a tolerable job. Not 'very good', IMO.

Too many critics with too much ammunition to ignore that he's made mistakes in judgement. But I've accepted the fact that he's here to rebuild the prospect pool and turn over the team to a younger core.

My concern is that the team is moving away from that original plan and trying to be too competitive too quickly. A more veteran GM might be able to keep the team going in the right direction regardless of the external pressures felt.

About Vancouver, McKenzie simply says "As for the Canucks, I’m not sure. I think it’s more along the lines of, ‘Hey, we’ll listen to anything anybody is talking about,’ as opposed to a definitive plan saying, ‘We don’t want this pick and we want to try to parlay it into an NHL player.'"

Thanks Carol for the info on the Calder cup final. Sounds like OB might be a find for Cbj in the 3rd round.

- bloatedmosquito

why the hate so early in the morning

Vancouver trades the 5th overall selection to Boston for the rights to loui eriksson.....

Yeah, that would be "you're fired Jim" territory.

if loui wants to sign here he will. don't waste anymore assets to get his rights.

if loui wants to sign here he will. don't waste anymore assets to get his rights.
- storm88

No kidding.

I love it when teams trade for a guy's rights and then he signs elsewhere.

if loui wants to sign here he will. don't waste anymore assets to get his rights.
- storm88

Exactly is the trolling going to start already today?

why the hate so early in the morning
- allsports

Just another comment from another insider about the lack of an identifiable plan.

People on this board question why some of us get so frustrated with the direction of this team. If hockey insiders can't see a definable direction/plan how is your typical fan supposed to invest financially and emotionally in something like that?

Blind faith?

Never waste a maybe for a maybe.

No kidding.

I love it when teams trade for a guy's rights and then he signs elsewhere.
- golfingsince

Didn't Hamhuis do that to two teams and then sign with the canucks?

Edit:

His negotiating rights were traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, along with a 2011 conditional draft pick, for Ryan Parent. After failing to agree to a contract with Philadelphia as well, his rights were traded once again to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2011 third-round pick. Negotiations with the club were also unsuccessful. Hamhuis became an unrestricted free agent and signed a six-year, $27 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks.

My only though is if Benning takes Brown at 5, id be livid. They say talent drops off after 5 and Brown is a 8-12 pick. Makes me think that he actually will trade the pick

if loui wants to sign here he will. don't waste anymore assets to get his rights.
- storm88

I'd be ok with Vrbata's rights for Louie's rights...
Of course JB would throw in his customary 2nd rounder.

No kidding.

I love it when teams trade for a guy's rights and then he signs elsewhere.
- golfingsince

especially with the new UFA process.

there's a week (can't remember if it's 5 days or a full week) where any team can talk to pending ufas just prior to the opening of free agent season.

simply put, why give up an asset when you're going to be able to talk to any player prior to his ability to sign a contract.

I really hope Benning doesn't trade 5OA. Other than that, I'd like to see him trade Hansen for a late 1st or early 2nd rounder

Again, he's done a tolerable job. Not 'very good', IMO.

Too many critics with too much ammunition to ignore that he's made mistakes in judgement. But I've accepted the fact that he's here to rebuild the prospect pool and turn over the team to a younger core.

My concern is that the team is moving away from that original plan and trying to be too competitive too quickly. A more veteran GM might be able to keep the team going in the right direction regardless of the external pressures felt.
- bloatedmosquito

When he came here he had a lot to do. He has changed a lot . I don't know of any GM batting 1000. He has made mistakes but I think the team overall looks a lot better now and in the future. Some spots it took two or three swings to make it better . I think the back end looks much better and is very young, it will learn.

I don't think you will see as much movement after next year.

Didn't Hamhuis do that to two teams and then sign with the canucks?

Edit:

His negotiating rights were traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, along with a 2011 conditional draft pick, for Ryan Parent. After failing to agree to a contract with Philadelphia as well, his rights were traded once again to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2011 third-round pick. Negotiations with the club were also unsuccessful. Hamhuis became an unrestricted free agent and signed a six-year, $27 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks.
- bloatedmosquito

Pens and Flyers I think.

I'm pretty sure the Habs also traded for Sundin's rights before he signed with the Canucks.

Just another comment from another insider about the lack of an identifiable plan.

People on this board question why some of us get so frustrated with the direction of this team. If hockey insiders can't see a definable direction/plan how is your typical fan supposed to invest financially and emotionally in something like that?

Blind faith?
- bloatedmosquito

I think that's what they hope for

especially with the new UFA process.

there's a week (can't remember if it's 5 days or a full week) where any team can talk to pending ufas just prior to the opening of free agent season.

simply put, why give up an asset when you're going to be able to talk to any player prior to his ability to sign a contract.
- RealityChecker

Yes, it's legal now instead of happening on the sly. I wonder if that means teams are talking to them even earlier now?

I always found it funny that minutes after free agency opened a bunch of deals were being announced.

My only though is if Benning takes Brown at 5, id be livid. They say talent drops off after 5 and Brown is a 8-12 pick. Makes me think that he actually will trade the pick
- phyllee

Why would you be livid? If Benning thinks he projects higher than Tkachuk or PLD perhaps he is right...keep in mind that he knows more about these prospects than fans and scouts. Drafts never follow the consensus

Yes, it's legal now instead of happening on the sly. I wonder if that means teams are talking to them even earlier now?

I always found it funny that minutes after free agency opened a bunch of deals were being announced.
- golfingsince

tampering in the nhl? never. doesn't happen. nope. rules is rules!

I wonder if you guys have an outside shot at Puljujärvi?

If the rumours about CLB not being too keen on Pulj are true and EDM SHOULD be looking for a D (or trading for one?)... I wonder if there's a chance (albeit a small one) that Puljujärvi could fall to you guys?

A lot would need to fall into place, but...