Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: In 1 Year, Half the Roster Has Changed; Are Kids Ready? After a busy day for the Canucks to open the free-agency period, a look at the changes in the team's roster since Jim Benning and Trevor Linden took over. Also, three executives fired.

very interesting firing - we could be in for some interesting times ahead

Not a fan of the return for Kassian but who knows, there might be stuff we don't know about...

It's clear you need some high-end talent to succeed at the highest level. In the cap world, the only affordable way to get talent is through the draft and the days of rich teams building cup contenders out of UFAs are long gone. Stats show that high-end skilled players are mostly high 1st round picks which are extremely expensive to obtaining by trade. Although Canucks' management has been claiming they want to build a winning culture 'the right way', I suspect Benning will sacrifice next year in order to finish top 3 in the draft. Benning has been very vocal about how deep next year's draft is and his is whole GM mantra is to improve a team via the draft.

I think the plan is to tank for 1 year and 1 year only. A top 3 pick could legitimately make our 2017 team, and by then Horvat, Virtanen, Shinkaruk, Cassels & Gaunce could all be affordable NHLers... with money for a few UFAs (Lucic), we could give the Sedins' their final run.

Also by tanking, we also improve on every single pick in every single round next year.

Moving Bieksa, Kassian, Lack & letting Matthias & Richardson walk are all moves that make room for younger players but the current less skilled/experienced replacements won't get us the same results.

At least Benning is being a bit more discrete than Buffalo was last year and I'm sure this is a pill the Aquilinis are willing to swallow.

Thanks Carol!!
I for one, am very happy with the moves thus far. I think Brandon Prust is exactly the sort of character, heart & soul guy that can be there to protect and mentor the young players. I'm very pleased with the change of culture that is in progress.

I'm fearful for the teams chances of making the playoffs. But at the same time its been too long with this core.

I'm excited to see which players will step it up next season.

From thread discussion the other day

https://twitter.com/phany...status/616661291852279808

Not a fan of the return for Kassian but who knows, there might be stuff we don't know about...

It's clear you need some high-end talent to succeed at the highest level. In the cap world, the only affordable way to get talent is through the draft and the days of rich teams building cup contenders out of UFAs are long gone. Stats show that high-end skilled players are mostly high 1st round picks which are extremely expensive to obtaining by trade. Although Canucks' management has been claiming they want to build a winning culture 'the right way', I suspect Benning will sacrifice next year in order to finish top 3 in the draft. Benning has been very vocal about how deep next year's draft is and his is whole GM mantra is to improve a team via the draft.

I think the plan is to tank for 1 year and 1 year only. A top 3 pick could legitimately make our 2017 team, and by then Horvat, Virtanen, Shinkaruk, Cassels & Gaunce could all be affordable NHLers... with money for a few UFAs (Lucic), we could give the Sedins' their final run.

Also by tanking, we also improve on every single pick in every single round next year.

Moving Bieksa, Kassian, Lack & letting Matthias & Richardson walk are all moves that make room for younger players but the current less skilled/experienced replacements won't get us the same results.

At least Benning is being a bit more discrete than Buffalo was last year and I'm sure this is a pill the Aquilinis are willing to swallow.
- Crying_Wrestler

Kassian just isn't good at hockey

Not a fan of the return for Kassian but who knows, there might be stuff we don't know about...

It's clear you need some high-end talent to succeed at the highest level. In the cap world, the only affordable way to get talent is through the draft and the days of rich teams building cup contenders out of UFAs are long gone. Stats show that high-end skilled players are mostly high 1st round picks which are extremely expensive to obtaining by trade. Although Canucks' management has been claiming they want to build a winning culture 'the right way', I suspect Benning will sacrifice next year in order to finish top 3 in the draft. Benning has been very vocal about how deep next year's draft is and his is whole GM mantra is to improve a team via the draft.

I think the plan is to tank for 1 year and 1 year only. A top 3 pick could legitimately make our 2017 team, and by then Horvat, Virtanen, Shinkaruk, Cassels & Gaunce could all be affordable NHLers... with money for a few UFAs (Lucic), we could give the Sedins' their final run.

Also by tanking, we also improve on every single pick in every single round next year.

Moving Bieksa, Kassian, Lack & letting Matthias & Richardson walk are all moves that make room for younger players but the current less skilled/experienced replacements won't get us the same results.

At least Benning is being a bit more discrete than Buffalo was last year and I'm sure this is a pill the Aquilinis are willing to swallow.
- Crying_Wrestler

I like how you think.

I agree that this is the year to not necessarily tank, but to at least not worry about making the playoffs. Give younger players the time to develop and gain valuable NHL experience. The Canucks will be in a good position to deal players at the TDL to playoff contenders and get draft picks. They will then have more experienced younger players and cap room to fit in some quality FA's that fit the Linden/Benning plan for this team next season.

Kassian was moved because because you don't want an addictive personality like that around the younger players we are going to have this year. I hope Kass get's his act together, but glad to see him gone.

Overall, I think the moves are in the write direction. As a general rule, I expect the 15/16 play of the acquired to be better than the 15/16 play of the departed as shown below.

When looking at those that remain from 13/14, I expect them to be generally a stronger group in 15/16 than they were in 13/14. Mind you, how could 13/14 been worse for Sedins and Edler. Regardless, the top 2 forwards and top 2 D should all have stronger years than 13/14, despite 3 of them being farther from their prime.

Acquired: Departed:
Bo Horvat > Ryan Kesler
Radim Vrbata > Zack Kassian
Nick Bonino = Mike Santorelli
Linden Vey < Brad Richardson
Ronalds Kenins > David Booth
Brandon Prust > Tom Sestito
Derek Dorsett = Shawn Matthias
Prospect > Zac Dalpe
Prospect > Jordan Schroeder

Luca Sbisa = Jason Garrison
Matt Bartkowski = Kevin Bieksa
Adam Clendening = Ryan Stanton

Ryan Miller = Eddie Lack

15/16 13/14
Henrik Sedin > Henrik Sedin
Daniel Sedin > Daniel Sedin
Chris Higgins < Chris Higgins
Jannik Hansen < Jannik Hansen
Alex Burrows < Alex Burrows
Alex Edler > Alex Edler
Dan Hamhuis < Dan Hamhuis
Chris Tanev > Chris Tanev
Yannick Weber > Yannick Weber
Frank Corrado > Frank Corrado

Jacob Markstrom > Jacob Markstrom

Kassian just isn't good at hockey
- walshyleafsfan

Says who?

Sam Gagner's teeth??

Kassian just isn't good at hockey
- walshyleafsfan

He showed real flashes of potential, like when he was on the Sedin line. He just had no consistency. The coaching staff demoted him the instant he had a bad game, unlike other players who screw up constantly (I'm looking at you Vey).

There was obviously more to the story with him than being inconsistent.

double post - see below

He showed real flashes of potential, like when he was on the Sedin line. He just had no consistency. The coaching staff demoted him the instant he had a bad game, unlike other players who screw up constantly (I'm looking at you Vey).

There was obviously more to the story with him than being inconsistent.
- we_are_all_canucks

It is called EFFORT and COMMITMENT.
Vey tries hard, works with the coaches, and demonstrates ongoing improvement.
Can the same be said of Kassian?

No doubt Kassian has more skill and potential, but remember, Feder had more of those than his brother Sergei. Sergei was a Hall of Fame quality player - the uber talented Feder was an NHL failure.

Funny that you should bring up the late and unlamented Fedor Fedorov, he was knocked out after practice in Manitoba by Kevin Bieksa because he was such a d!ck.

He showed real flashes of potential, like when he was on the Sedin line. He just had no consistency. The coaching staff demoted him the instant he had a bad game, unlike other players who screw up constantly (I'm looking at you Vey).

There was obviously more to the story with him than being inconsistent.
- we_are_all_canucks

gotta be.

Matthew Sekeres ‏@mattsekeres · 13m13 minutes ago
#Canucks president Trevor Linden says it was his call to relieve executives Laurence Gilman, Lorne Henning & Eric Crawford go.


I just listened to Linden's interview, he owned this, said the group was too big, which made decisions cumbersome at times. Hinted, without saying as much, that it was in part due to amalgamating two management groups.

How the (frank) does Delorme still have a job - Jesus

Love it !!!! Keep cutting and burning the cancer out of this team ! Embrace the rebuild, this team can lose every game and I'll support them if they keep rebuilding !

Matthew Sekeres ‏@mattsekeres · 13m13 minutes ago
#Canucks president Trevor Linden says it was his call to relieve executives Laurence Gilman, Lorne Henning & Eric Crawford go.


I just listened to Linden's interview, he owned this, said the group was too big, which made decisions cumbersome at times. Hinted, without saying as much, that it was in part due to amalgamating two management groups.

How the (frank) does Delorme still have a job - Jesus
- LeftCoaster

This will be the one thing that none of us will be able to wrap our head around.

Funny that you should bring up the late and unlamented Fedor Fedorov, he was knocked out after practice in Manitoba by Kevin Bieksa because he was such a d!ck.
- DariusKnight

We have been trying to find that Russian diamond in the rough, ever since Pavel.

Fedorov, nope.

Chubarov, nope.

Shirokov, nope.

Is Dmitry Zhukenov gonna make it in this league?

We have been trying to find that Russian diamond in the rough, ever since Pavel.

Fedorov, nope.

Chubarov, nope.

Shirokov, nope.

Is Dmitry Zhukenov gonna make it in this league?
- moondawg

Both were actually quite good but, Chubarov jumped ship and Shirokov felt that management didn't have confidence in him so he left.

What the f@ck? We still can't quote on the 1st page. Seriously where did my 20$ go.

So we fired our capologist and one of our best scouts? And Delorme is our head scout again?

Both were actually quite good but, Chubarov jumped ship and Shirokov felt that management didn't have confidence in him so he left.

I thought Shirokov was traded to the Panthers? I liked his offensive game, but looked lost at times in the defensive zone and just at times. Needed to get a better handle on the north American game. I think Shirokov also represented Russia at the recent world cup