Kenins numbers at home are decent on the road not as much
- VANTEL

First season in North America though and he definitely did bring more energy/physicality than 90% of the team. I'd like him on the 4th line next year. Benning clearly wants a physical and fast team and he fits that.

The defence as we all know is a horror show. Someone runs the net, make him pay the price, not the goaltender. Traffic in the crease, move them out? On the boards get the puck instead of watching over your shoulders because you may get checked. Painful to watch
- VanHockeyGuy

On the whole, too many vanilla players/jack of all trade types. Bieksa is a shadow of what he used to be and he wasn't that physical before, just had a bit of an edge and was okay in a fight. He is limited by his size and his ability to move guys out in front of the net.

JB said Sbisa is slowly getting better in this role, but I'd say he is nowhere near what we need. Edler is afraid to dish it out too much and end up hurting his back. Weber- too small, not physical. Hamhuis- great positional play, but not really that physical after the whistles and in front of the net, Tanev- slight, not physical.

Blake Price

"Canucks management just has to sell the fans on their vision of the future. Right now it's muddied"

Now that we got that out of the way.

Everyone here speculates like 99% of the time and reacts to things that may not even happen, I'm doing the same except without Canuck blinders on.

It's not just the Subban thing for me, it's been many things.
- Nucker101

I am one of the most negative Canuck posters on here , but you are making me look like Polyana as of late

Canucks have very little grit , so yesterday they take a chance on a 6'4 guy that can skate well and fight and sign him hoping to reinvent the guy. JB says he is a good skater and defends his teammate . I take that he comes to teammates rescue as he likes to fight. Your day was ruined yesterday by that signing. If it doesn't work out get rid of him. It is a low risk contract. If the guy sucks that bad how hard is it to buy out a 2 year 600k contract.

Let's see the movement in the summer before we call JB a bust.

I am one of the most negative Canuck posters on here , but you are making me look like Polyana as of late

Canucks have very little grit , so yesterday they take a chance on a 6'4 guy that can skate well and fight and sign him hoping to reinvent the guy. JB says he is a good skater and defends his teammate . I take that he comes to teammates rescue as he likes to fight. Your day was ruined yesterday by that signing. If it doesn't work out get rid of him. It is a low risk contract. If the guy sucks that bad how hard is it to buy out a 2 year 600k contract.

Let's see the movement in the summer before we call JB a bust.
- VANTEL

If he can somehow move Bieksa for a decent return, and get a decent return for a goalie, and have a solid draft then I'll step away from the ledge. I blame Sbisa for everything bad in my life right now.

I am one of the most negative Canuck posters on here , but you are making me look like Polyana as of late

Canucks have very little grit , so yesterday they take a chance on a 6'4 guy that can skate well and fight and sign him hoping to reinvent the guy. JB says he is a good skater and defends his teammate . I take that he comes to teammates rescue as he likes to fight. Your day was ruined yesterday by that signing. If it doesn't work out get rid of him. It is a low risk contract. If the guy sucks that bad how hard is it to buy out a 2 year 600k contract.

Let's see the movement in the summer before we call JB a bust.
- VANTEL

And they want to turn him into a Winger?

Blake Price

"Canucks management just has to sell the fans on their vision of the future. Right now it's muddied"

Now that we got that out of the way.
- VanHockeyGuy

wasn't this spoken about yesterday?- Benning and Linden are talking about getting younger, faster and WD wants to lean on the vets and keep the youth on the farm?

Blake Price

"Canucks management just has to sell the fans on their vision of the future. Right now it's muddied"

Now that we got that out of the way.
- VanHockeyGuy

Good thing that is that Linden/Benning were clearly told by Aquilini that they have to re-engage the fans and after that pathetic playoff performance people want some serious changes otherwise there will be zero excitement. The "new guy" excitement with management/coaching staff is already wearing off a bit with the fanbase.

And they want to turn him into a Winger?
- VanHockeyGuy

They didn't even have to sign him yet though, his rights didn't expire until next season and he could have even played in the ECHL/AHL this next season without being signed.

If he can somehow move Bieksa for a decent return, and get a decent return for a goalie, and have a solid draft then I'll step away from the ledge. I blame Sbisa for everything bad in my life right now.
- Nucker101

I really don't care what the return is, just want the cap space and open slot for the youngsters to have a chance to earn a spot.

I think that horse is getting to you... blame it on that horsey.

Top 10 Gillis Blunders (found online)

10) Not Drafting Enough WHL Talent
9) Trading Away Shane O'Brien for Ryan Parent
8) Signing Marco Sturm
7) Trading Away Sergei Shirokov for Mike Duco
6) Letting Mike Weaver Go
5) Swinging and Missing (Repeatedly) This Summer (UFA's)
4) Offering Mats Sundin $20 Million over 2 Years
3) Choosing Mason Raymond over Michael Grabner
2) Letting Willie Mitchell Go
1) Trading for Keith Ballard
- VanHockeyGuy

Mike Weaver was the only one I'm upset about... well Grabner too.

Sundin was a great signing, money didn't matter. Mitchell was the reason we lost to the Hawks in the playoffs, and he was due a big raise.

He traded for Samuelsson for Sturm, he didn't sign him.

How can you say trading Shirokov was a huge blunder. The same for trading away SOB...

wasn't this spoken about yesterday?- Benning and Linden are talking about getting younger, faster and WD wants to lean on the vets and keep the youth on the farm?
- hillbillydeluxe

Which I get, it's a process. My question is, what do we do next season?

"You know, we're going to sit down and make a decision as a group"

Is not the correct answer!

Alex Grenier has 33 points in his last 39 games in the AHL. I wonder if the new management will give him a legit chance to make the team next year if he has a strong camp and pre-season? He's progressed nicely after some of us(including myself) wrote him off as a failed Gillis moneyball pick.

If he can somehow move Bieksa for a decent return, and get a decent return for a goalie, and have a solid draft then I'll step away from the ledge. I blame Sbisa for everything bad in my life right now.
- Nucker101

Don't be surprised if Sbisa is traded. He has term and a reasonable cap hit in the eyes of GMs , same as what JB is trying to do with lLack

I am one of the most negative Canuck posters on here , but you are making me look like Polyana as of late

Canucks have very little grit , so yesterday they take a chance on a 6'4 guy that can skate well and fight and sign him hoping to reinvent the guy. JB says he is a good skater and defends his teammate . I take that he comes to teammates rescue as he likes to fight. Your day was ruined yesterday by that signing. If it doesn't work out get rid of him. It is a low risk contract. If the guy sucks that bad how hard is it to buy out a 2 year 600k contract.

Let's see the movement in the summer before we call JB a bust.
- VANTEL

It's just another straw landing on the camels back, there was absolutely no reason to sign him now which is what is causing people to question the signing.

Stewart was protected until next season and could of signed an AHL deal if he isn't returning as an overager. Yes the move isn't going to cripple the canucks by itself but when many scouts questioned the pick and the signing, the question comes up why sign him now?

Same with the Sbisa deal why then ?

Why overpay for Miller when no one else reportedly was in the race?

It shows a bit of a trend in Benning making moves he doesn't really need to, does this mean he is a bust? no.

But it does make me and some other question his decisions.

Don't be surprised if Sbisa is traded. He has term and a reasonable cap hit in the eyes of GMs , same as what JB is trying to do with lLack
- VANTEL

I'll be shocked if he's traded.

It's just another straw landing on the camels back, there was absolutely no reason to sign him now which is what is causing people to question the signing.

Stewart was protected until next season and could of signed an AHL deal if he isn't returning as an overager. Yes the move isn't going to cripple the canucks by itself but when many scouts questioned the pick and the signing, the question comes up why sign him now?

Same with the Sbisa deal why then ?

Why overpay for Miller when no one else reportedly was in the race?

It shows a bit of a trend in Benning making moves he doesn't really need to, does this mean he is a bust? no.

But it does make me and some other question his decisions.
- belcherbd

This.

And they want to turn him into a Winger?
- VanHockeyGuy

He played wing part time last year. This is not something totally new to him

Don't be surprised if Sbisa is traded. He has term and a reasonable cap hit in the eyes of GMs , same as what JB is trying to do with lLack
- VANTEL

Aside from Bo, McCann, Cassels. The shop's open in my eyes.

Alex Grenier has 33 points in his last 39 games in the AHL. I wonder if the new management will give him a legit chance to make the team next year if he has a strong camp and pre-season? He's progressed nicely after some of us(including myself) wrote him off as a failed Gillis moneyball pick.
- Nucker101

I certainly hope so, from the comets games I have watched he is one of the more noticeable players offensively. I think he could be a Matthias type player at his best, without the PK element.

He played wing part time last year. This is not something totally new to him
- VANTEL

A project then, like our defence.

It's just another straw landing on the camels back, there was absolutely no reason to sign him now which is what is causing people to question the signing.

Stewart was protected until next season and could of signed an AHL deal if he isn't returning as an overager. Yes the move isn't going to cripple the canucks by itself but when many scouts questioned the pick and the signing, the question comes up why sign him now?

Same with the Sbisa deal why then ?

Why overpay for Miller when no one else reportedly was in the race?

It shows a bit of a trend in Benning making moves he doesn't really need to, does this mean he is a bust? no.

But it does make me and some other question his decisions.
- belcherbd

Again how do you know there was no reason. I am not suggesting I know , but I know you don't know what goes on behind closed doors either.

JB has seen him play more than a few times , knows that he is a decent skater and likes fighting. Maybe Benning gave him a contract now to have him come to camp to compete against Chris Higgins as the 4 th line tough /energy guy. Let's wait and see what the plans are.

A project then, like our defence.
- VanHockeyGuy

Who are our 4 th line tough guys again?

He played wing part time last year. This is not something totally new to him
- VANTEL

You have to admit, there was no rush to sign him if he has to learn to be a full time winger and isn't likely to play an NHL game next season. If he gets a game in next season, we are in bigger trouble than many thought possible.

I'll be shocked if he's traded.
- Nucker101

That's a shocker