It boils down to ownership. Do they want to stay 'competitive' and push for the playoffs each season or do they want to stick to last TDL's change of direction and trade assets for picks & prospects while developing the young talent?
Until there is a clear and cohesive message about what exactly the plan is moving forward, both short term and long term, it's anyone's guess.
If Benning walks will the next GM just be another 'Yes' man to the Aqulini's? Most likely. It will be some old school GM with one last kick at the can before retirement. It will be a cushy job just follow the direction of the owner without having to do your own work.


On a side note, I don't get filled with confidence seeing the Canuck management box filled with previous players from all eras of this failed franchise in their different roles. It would be nice to see some faces from winning teams in the mix.
- Marwood

well said

Thanks Carol

I do think Butcher was a surprise, as he played in Denver already, but each case is different. It should've been easy for the Avs to keep him happy, but maybe he was too close and saw some organizational issues he didnt like?

I do think the social media interactions between him and the other prospects is a good sign for him being happy to be a Canuck prospect though. Guys want to be with a good group and have opportunity
- WhiteLie

Heard a rumor so take that for what it is that Parick Roy treated him like poop in a training camp and basically said (frank) these guys.

I honestly think that after this upcoming draft, the Canucks will have an elite group of 22 and under players/prospects that few teams can match.

The rise up begins next year and it's going to be a quick one.
- Nucker101

Let's say it together... Patience Lefty.

I agree. I think he came out of the young stars camp looking really good and seemed to like his experience. I am often the devil's advocate, I mean as long as he signs I ultimately don't care. If he signed and then played in the AHL it wouldn't burn a year correct?
- neem55

I think if signs a PTO like Hutton or someone did years ago then it wouldnt. But 100%.

I really just want to know if they want to be competitive or are they re-building? They answer to this day continues to be both and that makes me spread negative hyperbole.
- Marwood

Both. I have faith that they can pull it off. They’re already 80% done.

Rookie of the year 2019
- mauryballstein

Pettersson 2020

Let's say it together... Patience Lefty.

- boonerbuck

Can’t wait for him to admit how wrong he was about Benning in about a year or 2 from now

Both. I have faith that they can pull it off. They’re already 80% done.
- Nucker101

for a long time, i haven't thought it's been funny....

and yet you still manage to hook a few.

Which could be the case. Benning will want a 4 year deal and the Nucks will probably offer a 2 year deal. I think Benning deserves a shot to finish what he started but it certainly doesn't appear the case.
- LordHumungous

I'm for the 2 year deal and most likely replace him at the end of next season. Not a fan of the 1 year deals on GM's.

Can’t wait for him to admit how wrong he was about Benning in about a year or 2 from now
- Nucker101

I know. You tried to tell him all along...

I know. You tried to tell him all along...

- boonerbuck

We had a nice discussion about it last year at the Flyers-Nucks game

Its a valid concern but Gaudette has given no indication of being dissatisfied with the Canucks. Seems to have a lot of friends in the organization already, including Demko who left college without burning a year of his ELC after taking a few weeks to decide. The team has top 6 openings in Utica and among the weakest competition at the NHL level league-wide IMO; all of which seem like the perfect scenario for a kid looking for a spot
- WhiteLie

Let's hope his agent will have the right things to say in his ear.

I agree. I think he came out of the young stars camp looking really good and seemed to like his experience. I am often the devil's advocate, I mean as long as he signs I ultimately don't care. If he signed and then played in the AHL it wouldn't burn a year correct?
- neem55

Sens did it to Colin White last year, sign the deal to start in the fall but have him report to AHL on PTO

It boils down to ownership. Do they want to stay 'competitive' and push for the playoffs each season or do they want to stick to last TDL's change of direction and trade assets for picks & prospects while developing the young talent?
Until there is a clear and cohesive message about what exactly the plan is moving forward, both short term and long term, it's anyone's guess.
If Benning walks will the next GM just be another 'Yes' man to the Aqulini's? Most likely. It will be some old school GM with one last kick at the can before retirement. It will be a cushy job just follow the direction of the owner without having to do your own work.


On a side note, I don't get filled with confidence seeing the Canuck management box filled with previous players from all eras of this failed franchise in their different roles. It would be nice to see some faces from winning teams in the mix.
- Marwood

Missed reading this, but yes x10000. Dont need more former Canucks coming home for important jobs they are not qualified for, and that includes Burrows, Naslund, or the Sedins

We had a nice discussion about it last year at the Flyers-Nucks game
- Nucker101

I remember that night. I started answering your bullet point posts over and over... eventually I looked at the clock and it was like 3am. Felt like only 2 hours had passed since the game. We had a lot of catching up to do even though we didn't say anything new. Just seemed like a lot of time had passed since we had some rolling thunder.

Missed reading this, but yes x10000. Dont need more former Canucks coming home for important jobs they are not qualified for, and that includes Burrows, Naslund, or the Sedins
- WhiteLie

They are already grooming Salo for the next coaching job.

I'm not a wordsmith nor academic. What does "Draftist" mean? I can't seem to find it in the dictionary??

They are already grooming Salo for the next coaching job.

- boonerbuck

The caveat I have for bringing guys into Canuck jobs is that they actually gain experience before they take the jobs.

If Salo coaches a few years in Finland, then comes on the bench in North America in a non-NHL capacity and works his way up - no problem. I dislike the Malholtra route where a guy retires, hangs around the team long enough to get a promotion

I'm not a wordsmith nor academic. What does "Draftist" mean?
- VanHockeyGuy

it means you're a tanker but haven't fully come out.

does draftist = trans-tanker?

JB was forward thinking enough to have Loui's NMC become an NTC in time for the expansion draft...
- WhiteLie

The sad thing is it might be just a dead weight contract at this rate, he's barely an NHL player right now let alone someone getting 19 minutes per night(which he played against Montreal. Come on Green!).

The caveat I have for bringing guys into Canuck jobs is that they actually gain experience before they take the jobs.

If Salo coaches a few years in Finland, then comes on the bench in North America in a non-NHL capacity and works his way up - no problem. I dislike the Malholtra route where a guy retires, hangs around the team long enough to get a promotion
- WhiteLie

let's keep things simple: best person for job. best player available.

Both. I have faith that they can pull it off. They’re already 80% done.
- Nucker101

I'm not a wordsmith nor academic. What does "Draftist" mean? I can't seem to find it in the dictionary??
- VanHockeyGuy

It means you're about to have Nuck4u explain the 'subtleties' of this distinction to you if you keep asking, because I'm pretty sure only he knows.

i think it's one of those new wrinkles that teams have to be on top of.

with any ncaa draft pick, you have to be in constant contact with the player/gm. figure out where the kid's head is at (aside from where is game is).

i would assume that jb is on top of it but with any ncaa signing there is always that small amount of fear.

that fear never used to be there. that in and of itself is proof of the ncaa trend.
- RealityChecker

Fear? Paranoia more like it lol
Proof is only in the head of those who worry over other teams losses.