Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Benning Speaks on Kesler, Goalies, Trading Up at Draft Jim Benning offers his thoughts on the upcoming draft, free agency and more during a Thursday presser from Philadelphia.

I wouldnt mind Eriksson for the right return.

There's a deal out there, I'm guessing, that's gonna take a few by surprise...regarding Kesler.

I didn't get why everyone thought Kesler would garner more of a return now than the previous trade deadline, maybe they thought he would expand his list but he now has one less playoff under contract. Hes being a bit of a child for keeping it to supposedly 2 teams... you won't get the farm for him, may as well just tell him to man up and play it out.

I didn't get why everyone thought Kesler would garner more of a return now than the previous trade deadline, maybe they thought he would expand his list but he now has one less playoff under contract. Hes being a bit of a child for keeping it to supposedly 2 teams... you won't get the farm for him, may as well just tell him to man up and play it out.
- nelson911

Summer/off season = more time to make a deal, look at likely draft picks and available talent, GM's see escalating salaries and value in Kesler's cap friendly $5m per for a 2nd line C.

Regarding expanding his list... if he thought he was going to get traded at the previous tdl and is not happy about still being here, then he will expand the list. I think the fan base are all for patience if it means a better deal. Many in the fanbase don't care if it is a distraction and impacts on ice play - not so bad to miss the playoffs and be in the hunt for McDavid.


I want Benning to pester him with teams not on his list.

Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Benning Speaks on Kesler, Goalies, Trading Up at Draft
Jim Benning offers his thoughts on the upcoming draft, free agency and more during a Thursday presser from Philadelphia.
- Carol Schram

Way to crush Vantel's Willie Mitchell dream, Carol. He's going to be ornery today.

There's a deal out there, I'm guessing, that's gonna take a few by surprise...regarding Kesler.
- LeftCoaster

I voted 'other team', yesterday. I agree.

My guess. Kesler stays a Canuck. Benning tells him to play out the season until the TDL for better offers(Spezza becoming available kind of (frank)ed things up a bit), especially with Stastny already available as well.

I wouldnt mind Eriksson for the right return.
- Conflict076

Boston royally screwed up that trade and now they will take almost anything to try to mitigate the loss of trading away a 22 year 86 point canadian forward.

Plus the guy is one concussion away from Marc Savard.

My guess. Kesler stays a Canuck. Benning tells him to play out the season until the TDL for better offers(Spezza becoming available kind of (frank)ed things up a bit), especially with Stastny already available as well.
- Nucker101

And then he won't deal him at the trade deadline either. Kesler will come out and say "my no-trade clause sucks."

And then he won't deal him at the trade deadline either. Kesler will come out and say "my no-trade clause sucks."
- Michael_Stuart

My guess. Kesler stays a Canuck. Benning tells him to play out the season until the TDL for better offers(Spezza becoming available kind of (frank)ed things up a bit), especially with Stastny already available as well.
- Nucker101

My guess. Kesler will waive for anyone who will extend him in a Goborik like deal. If no one mans up he stays.

- Nucker101

In all seriousness, I just don't want this turning into another fiasco where the GM thinks he can get more value for the player than he's ever actually going to get (i.e. Lu2.0).

In all seriousness, I just don't want this turning into another fiasco where the GM thinks he can get more value for the player than he's ever actually going to get (i.e. Lu2.0).
- Michael_Stuart

Well in this case... they can just tell him to just play out his deal... or open up to more teams its that simple. Lu was just a debacle screwed up by the GM/coach.... IMO Lu would still be a Canuck most likely if it werent for that idiotic stunt on the outdoor game. What a slap in the face!

In all seriousness, I just don't want this turning into another fiasco where the GM thinks he can get more value for the player than he's ever actually going to get (i.e. Lu2.0).
- Michael_Stuart

In Benning we trust til he franks up.

Well in this case... they can just tell him to just play out his deal... or open up to more teams its that simple. Lu was just a debacle screwed up by the GM/coach.... IMO Lu would still be a Canuck most likely if it werent for that idiotic stunt on the outdoor game. What a slap in the face!
- nelson911

I think you are quite right.

Kind of a joke really... Look at what Howson got for Nash.... Keslers production isn't really that far off and he is better defensively and a center.... also 2.5 million less cap.... I was really hoping the new management would change this form of bull from happening. I don't think it should be hard to at least get a young NHL player with potential, a solid prospect and 1st round pick.

From Sportsnet:
There is still hope that a few youthful tweaks could breathe life into Vancouver’s aging stars. But it’s likely that fixing this team will be a project several years in the making — and one that’s already a few years too late.

In all seriousness, I just don't want this turning into another fiasco where the GM thinks he can get more value for the player than he's ever actually going to get (i.e. Lu2.0).
- Michael_Stuart

Lu was way different because of his contract to his old age pension at a high cap hit.... not to forget about recapture. He also had ONE team on his list..... If Benning can't do it much better with Kesler he doesn't deserve his job.

My guess. Kesler will waive for anyone who will extend him in a Goborik like deal. If no one mans up he stays.
- Grumpy13

I highly doubt a GM will agree to an extension 2 years ahead of time.

Not sure how Stastny plays into all of this. It really depends on what he is looking for in terms of a dea. Is he going to sign for $5mil a year? probably not, and all 30 teams can bid. Kesler is still a cheaper, almost same age and grittier player. I am not sure how many contenders can sign Stas. it may just be a money grab with a team on the cusp.

Honestly if you are a team on Kesler's list you should probably bite the bullet and make the trade. He does have the opportunity to the team over the top as a 2c. Someone needs to get an itchy finger and pull the trigger.

From Sportsnet:
There is still hope that a few youthful tweaks could breathe life into Vancouver’s aging stars. But it’s likely that fixing this team will be a project several years in the making — and one that’s already a few years too late.
- Grumpy13

I may get crapped on for this.... but do we all remember a little whiny baby getting his way in 2011. Gillis shouldve kept Hodgson.... that trade was brutal(at that particular time) Hodgson was producing points in his role and arguably would've been a difference maker more than Kassian during that cup run.

From Sportsnet:
There is still hope that a few youthful tweaks could breathe life into Vancouver’s aging stars. But it’s likely that fixing this team will be a project several years in the making — and one that’s already a few years too late.
- Grumpy13

In other words, the f*cking Aqulini's are still guiding the ship(wreck).

In all seriousness, I just don't want this turning into another fiasco where the GM thinks he can get more value for the player than he's ever actually going to get (i.e. Lu2.0).
- Michael_Stuart

Oh, I agree. That's just my prediction. It could backfire or work out great, that's the risk.

Lu was way different because of his contract to his old age pension at a high cap hit.... not to forget about recapture. He also had ONE team on his list..... If Benning can't do it much better with Kesler he doesn't deserve his job.
- SMP8719

I didn't mean to suggest that the details were the same. Rather, that I don't want to see management bungle this thing like the previous regime did with Luongo.

I hope the comments are all posturing and that they get a deal done at the draft.