Carol Schram: Benning denies backstabbing Linden, TV coverage begins at Summer Showcase Jim Benning insists he had nothing to do with Trevor Linden's departure from the Vancouver Canucks as the World Junior Summer Showcase rolls on in Kamloops with some magic moments from Quinn Hughes and his brother Jack.

Thanks Carol!

Thank you Carol.

I love that Quinn and Jack incited that little brawl, shows you dont have to be 6 foot, 200lbs to show a little fire (which 90% of the canucks lack). Hopefully jack and quinn are in canuck uniforms to start the 2019/2020 season

Not that I care about Linden getting fired, he's been part of the problem, but Benning not having any knowledge whatsoever, according to him, is a complete fallacy.

Linden is obviously not happy with him, so Benning can play dumb all he wants, he's good at it, but clearly there was some sort of background dynamics going on that's fractured the group.

Hopefully Quinn Hughes can come in and have an offensive impact like Torey Krug did with Boston. They play a similar style game. Skating and offence.

I worry about Hughes abilities to defend, he won't have the puck every minute of every game, he's not gonna win many puck battles in the NHL.

Krug came into the NHL at 22 years old so he was physically more mature and he spent one year in the AHL but he produced a 40 point season right away.

“We still have cap space,” Benning said. “If we were thinking about making the playoffs next season, we’d have signed James Neal or David Perron or someone like that. But we didn’t.”

Guys! He said it!!

Thanks Carol

I've got lots of criticism of Benning, certainly no big fan, but this whole backstabbing narrative is making a high suspense drama over a more banal situation. It's pretty clear, Linden changed his tune on the direction of the Canucks and the owner was not down for it. I'm glad at least Benning had his say because the save Linden's legacy blitz that has been on this past week is pretty revolting. TL took a job he wasn't qualified for, hired Benning, Shakey Willie and fired Gilman, but suddenly he is "blindsided" by the quick turnaround plan. Please, spare me.

The one good thing about Benning is he is so bad at building a competitive team that the team will tank and be on the long term rebuild plan anyway.

Thx Carol,

Outstanding blog and your level-headed and rational approach to untangling the Canucks mess is appreciated.

Hopefully some of the drama queens can calm down a bit now about linden being gone and Benning “chasing the playoffs.” I don’t feel sorry for linden at all as he brought this on himself.

Guys! He said it!!
- NorthNuck

We have it!!!!

So Benning said that FA is not currently searching for a new pres. I feel like he probably should be though no? Benning's going to be stretched pretty thin trying to do it all himself

Not that I care about Linden getting fired, he's been part of the problem, but Benning not having any knowledge whatsoever, according to him, is a complete fallacy.

Linden is obviously not happy with him, so Benning can play dumb all he wants, he's good at it, but clearly there was some sort of background dynamics going on that's fractured the group.
- LeftCoaster

So true, of you read how Benning crafted his sentences, you'll see that he only denied that the decision to fire Linden was his. He didn't deny or confirm whether or not he'd gone over Lindens head or had not gotten Linden to ok the new 8m dollar forth line geriatric pairing, which I believe was the final straw for Linden.

Beagal and Russell might be fine, but 4 years at that price with NTC is so stupid that I would have been pissed had my gm made that deal.

So Benning said that FA is not currently searching for a new pres. I feel like he probably should be though no? Benning's going to be stretched pretty thin trying to do it all himself
- NorthNuck

Aquaman is the new press

Guys! He said it!!
- NorthNuck

Playoffs in 2 years

Playoffs in 2 years
- Pres.cup

They both got NTC?!

Playoffs in 2 years
- Pres.cup

if all goes well, and that's a big if, they MIGHT be competitive enough to have a sniff at a wildcard spot three seasons from now.....might!

15 team ntc list. Hardly a problem

15 team ntc list. Hardly a problem
- coryberg2

If you're trading a 28 or 29 year old yeah, a 36 year old, it's a problem.

15 team ntc list. Hardly a problem
- coryberg2

Does this effect the expansion draft? Will we have to protect them?

Does this effect the expansion draft? Will we have to protect them?
- canucksfan1944

Negative. Only players with NMC

Thanks Carol!

#loseforHughes

Negative. Only players with NMC
- CanuckDon

Ok I can live with that, almost join the Benning hate full on for a second. I’m the silent one that thinks he’s doing pretty good overall for what he had.

i can't comprehend how you can really separate any party from the triumvirate of stupidity.

the re-tool on the fly was full on stupidity and there were a lot of voices saying so at the time to all of the justifiers.

2 out of the 3 stooges are left. too bad all 3 can't go but only 1 will be left after this season.

i feel badly for trevor for the service he's put into this team as a player... however, how the fcuk did he not see this coming?