#Canucks GM Jim Benning says he had some opportunities to move down but it was too far down. He didn't want to fall below #9. #CanucksOn1040


Benning: We had him (Juolevi) fifth on our overall list
- MaWLz

Like I said, if Dubois was available, JB would have picked him. The fact is that he wasn't available and there were no opportunities to trade down and pick up extra assets and still get Juolevi who was their next best choice. Beyond 9OA you're getting into projects and when you're rebuilding, you need top end talent more than projects who you can spend time developing.

Let's be clear, the Gudbrandson trade was to insulate Hutton and Tryamkin and now Juolevi (in 2 or 3 years when he's had a couple more seasons in Jr and in Utica) and to keep us from being too uncompetitive. I agree that Benning is likely going to make a play for Lucic, Eriksson and Stamkos and try and get at least one if not two of them on July 1. I believe that if Dubois was available, he probably doesn't go hard after a big name in FA unless he hits a home run. Now he needs to if he wants to stay competitive and not expect to bottom feed again this year.

I fully expect JB to waive Higgins and attempt to trade Burrows for a late round 2017 pick to clear more cap space in the expectation that we sign one (or two) of Lucic, Eriksson and Stamkos (although Stamkos is a pipe dream JB will still make a play if only to drive up the price for whoever ends up signing him).

Van, how the (frank) can you compare a guy you've never seen play....
- chompsey

I seen him play a number of times

I think Taj just dropped 143 F bombs
- VANTEL

who knows sfa. good pick.

Tufte at 25, McGuire didn't give him high ratings.

Tage Thompson who is he. Seems to die off after 25.

This is why you don't trade Hansen for a second or a late first.
- VANTEL

Well when ppl see a # they equate a prospect as an NHLer.
Hansen has much value in a hockey trade vs a who knows probable nobody.

who knows sfa. good pick.
- VanHockeyGuy

I am glad we have a good D now. Waits for someone to remind us they were the worst last year.

I called it.......Juolevi

excellent pick

Like I said, if Dubois was available, JB would have picked him. The fact is that he wasn't available and there were no opportunities to trade down and pick up extra assets and still get Juolevi who was their next best choice. Beyond 9OA you're getting into projects and when you're rebuilding, you need top end talent more than projects who you can spend time developing.

Let's be clear, the Gudbrandson trade was to insulate Hutton and Tryamkin and now Juolevi (in 2 or 3 years when he's had a couple more seasons in Jr and in Utica) and to keep us from being too uncompetitive. I agree that Benning is likely going to make a play for Lucic, Eriksson and Stamkos and try and get at least one if not two of them on July 1. I believe that if Dubois was available, he probably doesn't go hard after a big name in FA unless he hits a home run. Now he needs to if he wants to stay competitive and not expect to bottom feed again this year.

I fully expect JB to waive Higgins and attempt to trade Burrows for a late round 2017 pick to clear more cap space in the expectation that we sign one (or two) of Lucic, Eriksson and Stamkos (although Stamkos is a pipe dream JB will still make a play if only to drive up the price for whoever ends up signing him).
- DariusKnight

Good post

I am glad we have a good D now. Waits for someone to remind us they were the worst last year.
- VANTEL

Surprised the feck out us. PLD was my choice, that said, JB got his pick of all the D. Let's see how it plays out. I'm good with this.

Surprised the feck out us. PLD was my choice, that said, JB got his pick of all the D. Let's see how it plays out. I'm good with this.
- VanHockeyGuy

We knew it would be one of five choices, I wasn't too surprised .

We knew it would be one of five choices, I wasn't too surprised .
- VANTEL

D Again, which is fine. 1C has to be a sense of urgency.

Thats the heart talking.
- thundachunk

If somehow Benson fell into our soon to be next mid round pick him over Ronning anyway. He's a 200 foot player with good hockey sense. He was predicted to go in the top 10 before the last season but the major injuries killed his year and stock. Let's hope we can get him.

D Again, which is fine. 1C has to be a sense of urgency.
- VanHockeyGuy

Nolan Patrick next year at the draft if for some reason we have the same injury issues as last year and are in the lottery again. Otherwise, maybe the trade route.

Carol we need a poll tomorrow.


Pi$$ed or not Pi$$ed or Happy?

I was hoping for Dubois. I said earlier today I would be fine with Juolevi or Serge.
- thundachunk

Me too. We they called out Dubois I said (frank)!!!
I guess I wanted BPA and thought it was Tkachuk. We need d and if Juolevi is as good as some say, then we did well. Just sucks not getting that first line player.

Me too. We they called out Dubois I said (frank)!!!
I guess I wanted BPA and thought it was Tkachuk. We need d and if Juolevi is as good as some say, then we did well. Just sucks not getting that first line player.
- Scooby_Doo

In sure the majority thought Pld was going to be there but let's hope Juolevi turns out to be Erik Karlsson

In sure the majority thought Pld was going to be there but let's hope Juolevi turns out to be Erik Karlsson
- allsports

I wasn't too happy when people were comparing him to Maata. (frank) id hope he'd be better than that.

Me too. We they called out Dubois I said (frank)!!!
I guess I wanted BPA and thought it was Tkachuk. We need d and if Juolevi is as good as some say, then we did well. Just sucks not getting that first line player.
- Scooby_Doo

Beyond Matthews, Laine and Puljaarvi I don't think it was a given that Tkachuk or Dubois would be sure-fire 1st line players. They could very well be, but there were question marks to their games, even Puljaarvi had some which is probably why Columbus passed on him. Dubois plays the 200 foot game that JP doesn't and can be both a winger and a center which is why they probably took him and why we wanted him. Tkachuk had skating issues and power forwards take a lot longer to develop and if they don't build up enough mass and muscle, tend to have short careers due to injury. We already have a top 6 PF in Virtanen, another one would be redundant. Juolevi was the next best choice after Dubois was off the board, I don't think Tkachuk or any other forward beyond the ones taken already were on Benning's draft list.

You just picked up 15 years of a reliable Dman
- VANTEL

How many years vs How many games???

Cough*Salo*Cough

I wasn't too happy when people were comparing him to Maata. (frank) id hope he'd be better than that.
- Scooby_Doo

Who was saying Maata, he sees the ice way better than Maata. He's always got his head up moving the puck. If he turns out to be like Lumme 2.0 I'll be happy. He was underrated when he played here.

Beyond Matthews, Laine and Puljaarvi I don't think it was a given that Tkachuk or Dubois would be sure-fire 1st line players. They could very well be, but there were question marks to their games, even Puljaarvi had some which is probably why Columbus passed on him. Dubois plays the 200 foot game that JP doesn't and can be both a winger and a center which is why they probably took him and why we wanted him. Tkachuk had skating issues and power forwards take a lot longer to develop and if they don't build up enough mass and muscle, tend to have short careers due to injury. We already have a top 6 PF in Virtanen, another one would be redundant. Juolevi was the next best choice after Dubois was off the board, I don't think Tkachuk or any other forward beyond the ones taken already were on Benning's draft list.
- DariusKnight

Really makes me wonder why Kekalainen would have passed on the 2 Finns.

In any case we have all known this D-Core needed an overhaul 4 years ago and they are finally starting to right the ship.

How many years vs How many games???

Cough*Salo*Cough


- rugdnit

If he'd 75% as good as the Finnish MacInnis, we've got a hell of a player.

If he'd 75% as good as the Finnish MacInnis, we've got a hell of a player.
- micah555

Exactly.

Poor Salo. Guy couldn't catch a break... I mean... wait... no... $hit...

Whud I tell ya boys, he liked Juolevi all along if Dubois was gone. The franchise needs a higher end dman, may not be sexy now, but that pick will pay off in due time.

Whud I tell ya boys, he liked Juolevi all along if Dubois was gone. The franchise needs a higher end dman, may not be sexy now, but that pick will pay off in due time.
- LeftCoaster

Yep

Exactly.

Poor Salo. Guy couldn't catch a break... I mean... wait... no... $hit...
- rugdnit

Salo missed two games one season because he was bitten by a snake.

Really makes me wonder why Kekalainen would have passed on the 2 Finns.

In any case we have all known this D-Core needed an overhaul 4 years ago and they are finally starting to right the ship.
- rugdnit

Like I said, you build from the net out. The other way just doesn't work, right Edmonton . Now Toronto is doing the same as Edmonton. They'll need more than Rielly if they are going to make a run at the cup one day.

JB has caught a lot of flak the last year or so but he's doing it the right way. This team won't rise as quickly but I see them as being a helluva team in 5 years....

That defence group is starting to look badass....