We're all in agreement that Benning gave up too much. Where we disagree is how Sutter slots in on the Canucks vs Bonino.
- golfingsince

Based on the language Benning is using and trying to get a contract extension signed, I think he expects a significant role for Sutter.

Yea Sutter is more of a positional player and he can do it well. Not a lot of physicality, he also played with crappy wingers. I think the Canucks will have better ones than what he had in Pitt last year. His speed will be more welcome than Boninos. I'll still take Bonino though, Dupuis can make up for it.
- nelson911

Yeah Sutter is more inclined to fill a role we need as long as Horvat can grow into that 2LC role. However, the Pens are better off with primarily the cap space gained. It could prove invaluable at the deadline to pick up D help or secondary scoring should someone get injured.

This is what 3 journalists in Calgary, Pittsburgh, and Edmonton are saying about the Canucks' trade today:

"I think this was a good example of someone's perceived value outweighing their actual value. Sutter is regarded by many as a very good defensive forward who can produce some offense. In reality, he's actually a possession anchor and he generally doesn't produce much. Sutter had 59 points over the last two seasons while Bonino - in nine less games - had 88 points. Despite that, the Canucks had to throw in a prospect and a higher draft pick to get a deal done."
- A Calgary journalist

"Penguins' GM Jim Rutherford and his army of Assistant General Managers were able to target a franchise that values the wrong things and took advantage of them. The Vancouver Canucks have been a mess the last few seasons and are believers in what the Penguins used to think was valuable."
-A Pittsburgh journalist

"Any time a division rival makes themselves worse it should be something we keep our eyes on. The Canucks have earned a reputation for making backwards moves. The Luongo deal, the Schneider deal, the Kesler deal, signing Miller. The laughs just keep coming from the Canucks organization."
-An Edmonton journalist

Benning has made the Vancouver Canucks a joke.
- monsmaark

It's a good thing that you credited those sources. Don't want to get accused of plagiarism.


Edit: these are all from HB

Based on the language Benning is using and trying to get a contract extension signed, I think he expects a significant role for Sutter.
- jfkst1

A 3LC is a significant role for any club, or it should be. If he splits 2LC duties while Bo grows into the role it really isn't a big deal. People on this thread have jumped to the conclusion that he's going to be making 5+ per season. I don't buy that.

It's a good thing that you credited those sources. Don't want to get accused of plagiarism.
- CubanBuffet

This is what 3 journalists in Calgary, Pittsburgh, and Edmonton are saying about the Canucks' trade today:

"I think this was a good example of someone's perceived value outweighing their actual value. Sutter is regarded by many as a very good defensive forward who can produce some offense. In reality, he's actually a possession anchor and he generally doesn't produce much. Sutter had 59 points over the last two seasons while Bonino - in nine less games - had 88 points. Despite that, the Canucks had to throw in a prospect and a higher draft pick to get a deal done."
- A Calgary journalist

"Penguins' GM Jim Rutherford and his army of Assistant General Managers were able to target a franchise that values the wrong things and took advantage of them. The Vancouver Canucks have been a mess the last few seasons and are believers in what the Penguins used to think was valuable."
-A Pittsburgh journalist

"Any time a division rival makes themselves worse it should be something we keep our eyes on. The Canucks have earned a reputation for making backwards moves. The Luongo deal, the Schneider deal, the Kesler deal, signing Miller. The laughs just keep coming from the Canucks organization."
-An Edmonton journalist

Benning has made the Vancouver Canucks a joke.
- monsmaark

Still time to pick another team

A 3LC is a significant role for any club, or it should be. If he splits 2LC duties while Bo grows into the role it really isn't a big deal. People on this thread have jumped to the conclusion that he's going to be making 5+ per season. I don't buy that.
- golfingsince

His contract will give insight into how Benning envisions his role. I just want you guys to remember, some of us warned you about Sutter. His reputation exceeds his play.

I've watched both play more than a dozen games each. Horvat is the better player (now). If Sutter is playing 2C for the Canucks we'll struggle to be a playoff team. Even as a shutdown guy Sutter isn't physical, nor a defensive specialist.

People on here talk about this trade improving the team, but if this is what improvement looks like we'll be cup contenders sometime around April 2026.
- AlexF

Stop thinking we are a playoff team.

Did we before?

Tanev-Edler
Hamhuis-Weber
Sbisa-Bartkowski

Corrado-Biega

It's not as though Clendening was going to vastly improve that mix.
- golfingsince

Leaving the trade aside for a second, we started this offseason really thin (IMO) at the back. We've re-signed (see: vastly overpaid for) Sbisa, traded Bieksa and now Clandening and added Bartowski. Addition by subtraction doesn't exactly work when you've got no real talent to fill the void.

Sutter for Bonino + is a waste of time. Focus on the areas where all red flags are. The bottom 6 is not one of them.

A 3LC is a significant role for any club, or it should be. If he splits 2LC duties while Bo grows into the role it really isn't a big deal. People on this thread have jumped to the conclusion that he's going to be making 5+ per season. I don't buy that.
- golfingsince

Yea I don't agree either. I'll say 4.25 x 4 with some sort of limited NTC. Yes I know Canucks fans love those.

Stop thinking we are a playoff team.
- A_SteamingLombardi

LOL. We were just a few months ago.

Stop thinking we're anywhere near a lottery team, as much as we all wish we were for a few seasons.

Leaving the trade aside for a second, we started this offseason really thin (IMO) at the back. We've re-signed (see: vastly overpaid for) Sbisa, traded Bieksa and now Clandening and added Bartowski. Addition by subtraction doesn't exactly work when you've got no real talent to fill the void.

Sutter for Bonino + is a waste of time. Focus on the areas where all red flags are. The bottom 6 is not one of them.
- AlexF

This is the best argument against the trade I've seen. Who knows, even at the increased cost Sutter may prove more valuable to us than Bonino was, but it's the backend that needs the most work. It's short on talent and short on prospects.

dorsett horvat and hansen were pretty effective together and it didn't matter.

Higgins can play any position including defence... lols.

i just can't see Dorsett and Prust on one line and Horvat will not be put into a 2nd line C position where he might face too much pressure...

I like Sutter as a two C with two skill guys. He brings the grit and defensive play for the two guys counted on to score..
- kaptaan

Actually, Sutter brings no grit or defensive play. He's dynamic with open space and has a great wrist shot. Otherwise he's pretty useless.

Any Canucks fan happy with the deal today is clearly delusional or doesn't know anything about hockey.

I agree with all your points minus Clendening. I don't disagree I would just give him a chance in Mike Johnston's system and on the pens. Although he a lot of guys to climb over and him being waiver eligible will make things interesting. I still think the pens will make a move on D.
- nelson911

Clendenning is likely to be M.A. Gragnani 2.0

It's a good thing that you credited those sources. Don't want to get accused of plagiarism.


Edit: these are all from HB
- CubanBuffet

Good catch CB,

yup the esteemed Calgary "journalist": Todd Cordell ... highly decorated Pittsburgh "journalist": Ryan Wilson, and the Pulitzer prize winning Edmonton "journalist": Matt Henderson ... c'mon guys, if you don't like what Benning did, ok, but to quote HB hacks as journalists ..... I do like most of what Todd does ... Henderson is Cloutier in diapers ...

Clendenning is likely to be M.A. Gragnani 2.0

- SMP8719

Hah, the guy has got lots of ice ahead.

Not sure if he even gets a shot this year though.

Leaving the trade aside for a second, we started this offseason really thin (IMO) at the back. We've re-signed (see: vastly overpaid for) Sbisa, traded Bieksa and now Clandening and added Bartowski. Addition by subtraction doesn't exactly work when you've got no real talent to fill the void.

Sutter for Bonino + is a waste of time. Focus on the areas where all red flags are. The bottom 6 is not one of them.
- AlexF

You don't have to tell me about that. We've had a roster full of bottom 6 players for years. The price for established D in this league is ridiculous however. The one positive of bringing in Sutter vs Bonino is that he seems more suited for a bottom 6 role, allowing Horvat to blossom into a 2LC.

Hah, the guy has got lots of ice ahead.

Not sure if he even gets a shot this year though.
- nelson911

He's not waiver protected.

Any Canucks fan happy with the deal today is clearly delusional or doesn't know anything about hockey.
- Scooby_Doo

Thankfully we have esteemed hockey god Scooby to set us straight.

He's not waiver protected.
- CubanBuffet

Exactly, that works against him with guys like Dumoulin who the pens favour. Pens have to drop a d man for Cledening to sniff the 7 spot.

Exactly, that works against him with guys like Dumoulin who the pens favour. Pens have to drop a d man for Cledening to sniff the 7 spot.
- nelson911

Apparently he was the deal breaker so he's going to have a spot.

FREAK OUT!!!

You don't have to tell me about that. We've had a roster full of bottom 6 players for years. The price for established D in this league is ridiculous however. The one positive of bringing in Sutter vs Bonino is that he seems more suited for a bottom 6 role, allowing Horvat to blossom into a 2LC.
- golfingsince

If that was the aim I think slotting Bonino on the 3rd line on a non-contender team would have achieved that objective just fine.

My point is, the word is Benning was working on this deal for months. WTF for? Work on the areas of need, don't work on non-need areas to overpay for a 10% upgrade.

Any Canucks fan happy with the deal today is clearly delusional or doesn't know anything about hockey.
- Scooby_Doo

I know nothing about hockey!!