no we do not. And that stems from the Gillis era of drafting/selling off picks/handing everyone long term contracts with NTC's. I have no complaints with Drafter Jim at all. I really like what he has done. I just want him to have more picks to play with.
- Codes1087

no we do not. And that stems from the Gillis era of drafting/selling off picks/handing everyone long term contracts with NTC's. I have no complaints with Drafter Jim at all. I really like what he has done. I just want him to have more picks to play with.
- Codes1087

That's a cop out man, sure that plays into it but Benning has had and moved plenty of quality assets on this team in the quest to retool. Are we better off for it, no idea and I'm not trying to get into that but at some point blaming Gillis for this current roster isn't relevant.

Scoring has been this team biggest issue for years IMO and I know the defense was bad as well last year in particular. Every year the players they bring in or draft tend to be safe two way players. You need that definitely but if the Sedins don't score they generally are not in the game.

Benning needs to take some high end offensive talent with his picks this year.
- belcherbd

Agreed, Boeser looks great but we need a few more potential top 6 forwards in the pipeline. Although, I am surprised how good Lockwood has looked. Kid can fly

That's a cop out man, sure that plays into it but Benning has had and moved plenty of quality assets on this team in the quest to retool. Are we better off for it, no idea and I'm not trying to get into that but at some point blaming Gillis for this current roster isn't relevant.
- belcherbd

How is the truth a cop out?

That's a cop out man, sure that plays into it but Benning has had and moved plenty of quality assets on this team in the quest to retool. Are we better off for it, no idea and I'm not trying to get into that but at some point blaming Gillis for this current roster isn't relevant.
- belcherbd

Higgins and Burrows are a direct result from that.
I am not saying ALL the blame is on Gillis for everything that is happening now, but if we are going to analyze the situation we are in, we have to account for all things that have happened over the last 5+ years and not just what has happened under Jim Bennings era as GM.

The harsh reality is that we just don't have assets. Which makes me sad all day

Agreed, Boeser looks great but we need a few more potential top 6 forwards in the pipeline. Although, I am surprised how good Lockwood has looked. Kid can fly
- CanuckDon

Definitely, and I'm glad Boeser looks good although I do think it was pretty safe pick. Konecny was the guy I was hoping of at the time because personally I think its hard to understand how talented players are coming out of college.

Benning looks like he has made a bunch of really good picks in the later rounds, he seems to consistently get guys who improve significantly after being drafted.

How is the truth a cop out?
- Marwood

Well if the comment is that the only reason we don't have any assets to sell off is because Gills moved picks and signed guys to NTC's than it isn't the whole truth, only part of it.
I consider that a cop out, as in not considering the entire picture.

How is the truth a cop out?
- Marwood

how many years are you allowed to blame the previous regime? other teams have been able to move the ugliest of contracts or the (seemingly) most useless of players. further, other GMs have brought in players on short term deals for the express purpose of moving them at the tdl.

this is not to say that benning is doing a bad job in the rebuild. i don't mind the slow and steady development through the draft. those that expected an accelerated "recovery," were overly optimistic in my opinion.

however, to lay the blame on gillis for the lack of "tradeable" talent is stretching a bit thin. the roster has had tremendous turnover since benning arrived. had he wanted to tear it all down, he could have. the makeup of the team reflects the desire to compete (with vets). it really isn't gillis' fault anymore.

lastly, rebuilds take time. the foundation is being set but it is far from complete. as many of you have noted, the high end offensive talent (for the future) is missing. most of us trust benning to find that talent... but it is far from guaranteed. but that's life for a rebuilding team.

Well if the comment is that the only reason we don't have any assets to sell off is because Gills moved picks and signed guys to NTC's than it isn't the whole truth, only part of it.
I consider that a cop out, as in not considering the entire picture.
- belcherbd

I never said it was the sole reason we are in the position we are today lol. I don't think there is enough characters to support a comment that would describe why we all think we are in the situation we are today lol. I am just saying that Jim Benning (even with his 3 years under the helm) is not fully at fault.

Higgins and Burrows are a direct result from that.
I am not saying ALL the blame is on Gillis for everything that is happening now, but if we are going to analyze the situation we are in, we have to account for all things that have happened over the last 5+ years and not just what has happened under Jim Bennings era as GM.

The harsh reality is that we just don't have assets. Which makes me sad all day
- Codes1087

I don't see that Higgins and Burrows are the reason this team doesn't have assets or couldn't move those assets. They did not/have not looked good through the end of their contracts and that is definitely on Gillis. I have no problem blaming Gillis on many of the dumb things he did, I was one of the many happy to see him go.

Both the previous regime and this one are responsible for what we currently have.

I never said it was the sole reason we are in the position we are today lol. I don't think there is enough characters to support a comment that would describe why we all think we are in the situation we are today lol. I am just saying that Jim Benning (even with his 3 years under the helm) is not fully at fault.
- Codes1087

I don't think anyone is saying it is all on Benning, but you did specifically point out that the reason we don't have assets to sell stems from Gillis.

how many years are you allowed to blame the previous regime? other teams have been able to move the ugliest of contracts or the (seemingly) most useless of players. further, other GMs have brought in players on short term deals for the express purpose of moving them at the tdl.

this is not to say that benning is doing a bad job in the rebuild. i don't mind the slow and steady development through the draft. those that expected an accelerated "recovery," were overly optimistic in my opinion.

however, to lay the blame on gillis for the lack of "tradeable" talent is stretching a bit thin. the roster has had tremendous turnover since benning arrived. had he wanted to tear it all down, he could have. the makeup of the team reflects the desire to compete (with vets). it really isn't gillis' fault anymore.

lastly, rebuilds take time. the foundation is being set but it is far from complete. as many of you have noted, the high end offensive talent (for the future) is missing. most of us trust benning to find that talent... but it is far from guaranteed. but that's life for a rebuilding team.
- RealityChecker

I don't think anyone is saying it is all on Benning, but you did specifically point out that the reason we don't have assets to sell stems from Gillis.
- belcherbd

True, I should have been more clear.

Higgins and Burrows from Gillis are similar to Dorsett and Sbisa from Benning. Both signed contracts that are virtually un-moveable. Even if you could consider any of those players "assets" to be dealt with at the TDL, they virtually can't be moved without retention of salary.

True, I should have been more clear.

Higgins and Burrows from Gillis are similar to Dorsett and Sbisa from Benning. Both signed contracts that are virtually un-moveable. Even if you could consider any of those players "assets" to be dealt with at the TDL, they virtually can't be moved without retention of salary.
- Codes1087

Dorsett might be overpaid, but he still brings grit that this club misses when he is out of the lineup. I don't think JB wants to move Dorsett at this time. unmoveable later? very likely.

I don't mind the Canucks retaining salary, buy picks, whatever.

Good morning,

Stecher's pretty good, offense is becoming a big problem and Emerson Etem is back on waivers...

Here's today's new blog:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...utout-vs-Ottawa/194/80207

That's disappointing, I could of sworn the rebuild was over
- belcherbd