If you believe that all the trades and contract signings are 100% Benning then I don't know what to say. What if you were to find out that Gilman or Crawford were pushing hard for Sbisa's new deal?
- 1970vintage

I never saw the reply to my post. But maybe Sbisa goes to Utica for a bit next year and the contract is how he clears waivers. Comers back later or the next season better somehow?

Misery loves company....it seems it's easy to pile on once the chips are down. For the record I don't like the Sbisa contract either, I don't know why they didn't just qualify him at 3 million for one year and see what they've got....dumb!!
- LeftCoaster

But they gave him a few hundred thousand more... we are (frank)ed for life.

I can't believe how this poop gets so over played.

I'll admit, I didn't start watching the Canucks till 2009- 2010 ish but i never really watched hockey before then period, but, that said, I don't think there will be a time where this isn't my Favorite team
- GloveHandStrong

And that's fine, it's the ones who are jumping off now because all they've ever known was us being one of the better teams.. Times were about to head into is what makes the true fans when you're just as loyal now as when we were close to the top

Or pull a Weber and not qualify him and then sign him after July 1st.
- Jim_Robson

Why handcuff yourself to Weber before July 1st? He a stop gap player and they wanted to see what was going to go down once free agency hit. They were not afraid of losing him.

I never saw the reply to my post. But maybe Sbisa goes to Utica for a bit next year and the contract is how he clears waivers. Comers back later or the next season better somehow?
- Retinalz

I'd love to see it but I'd be stunned if they signed him with that intent.

Why handcuff yourself to Weber before July 1st? He a stop gap player and they wanted to see what was going to go down once free agency hit. They were not afraid of losing him.
- boonerbuck

I agree. That was well played. I was suggesting that Sbisa could have been treated the same.

All goaltenders on the ice are free agents this year...

Seems like Benning is really using his old connections, 5 free agent invitees from NCAA Hockey East conference
- stevekariya

If he was a better negotiator he could have got 8

Post of the day

I believe in calling a spade a spade. I will give full support and accolades when there is a positive move made, but I also have the right to criticize and/or not be on board with moves which I feel were dubious. These are all big boys in management, they know that they were going to be under fire in this market. You have to take the good with the bad, and in my opinion, there hasn't really been much 'good'. Am I giving up on the Canucks? of course not (I've been there through some very lean years and I've also been here when things were great and my support of the Canucks has never waivered), but I am merely putting forth my concern on what I believe have been some questionable moves by management. That's not whining or crying, that's just simply stating facts. I would do the same if the Canucks were a first place team; that is, I would comment on any questionable moves made by management whether the team is doing well or not.

P.S. incidentally, I hate bandwagoners and fair-weather fans as much as the next person

Sbisa - fiasco
Miller - poor signing
Vrbata - great signing
Dorsett - great signing
Horvat development - Grade A
Drafting - some decent picks - jury still out, though
Benning - C (like everyone else, I hope he hits a few out of the ball park in due course)
Kassian - more of a locker-room distraction? I like Prust but once again, why the 5th round pick as well? I don't think we got market value but don't find the move overly egregious, either, especially if the rumours of Kassian being a major team distraction are true
Bieksa - tough market so the deal wasn't too bad all things considered
Lack - hard to think there wasn't a better deal out there, especially given Talbot received some good assets back for NY

Overall grade - C
- Zogg

The 5th was because of baggage most likely. You can keep asking why but I suggest you take a minute and apply some common sense.

The 5th was because of baggage most likely. You can keep asking why but I suggest you take a minute and apply some common sense.
- boonerbuck

Common sense today is a very rare thing.

Nucker101
February 27 @ 3:45 PM ET
Cody's going to be a future captain and a clutch scorer. Feels good being a Sabres fan.




- thundachunk

So let me get this straight...Nucker is not only a Canucks and Flames fan, but also a Sabres fan? Talk about confused

It's funny how change is difficult, I understand that, but come on. People are complaining about the Sbisa contract, which was signed months ago, because they're annoyed that Gilman, Hennning and Crawford got fired?

I don't know if Benning will be a good GM or not, but I do know you need to draft well in order to have a successful franchise. We won't know if he's done well or not for three or four years.

Folks are just pissed about the whole thing I guess? Vantel was even female doging and he was one of the biggest tank machines there was. Nucker had pictures of tanks all over the place. It's pathetic.

They're not going down the Oiler route where they just have a fire-sale and clean house with the players. It's going to be done over time, probably the next two years.
- LeftCoaster

Ok I'll jump on the rant against Benning.

1) I don't like how he presents himself and his ideas outwardly, he comes off as a bit of an idiot...sorry but he does. I know he's not, but he sounds like an idiot.
2) His assetment of professional players like Bonino and Sbisa is very suspect, I would've like for him to target other players off the Ducks. But...I do understand he wanted NHL ready players due to the pipeline being totally void of anyone making a push upwards.
3) Contracts...he grossly overpaid Sbisa and he gave Miller a year too long on his deal. Perhaps I could complain Dorsett was overpaid by 500 thousand, but I like what he brings to the table as a bottom six guy. Sorely missing someone with his compete level and desire before he got here.
4) I hate the fact he talks to the media to openly.
5) I'm worried that he values size over skill...to be determined??


I guess that's about it
- LeftCoaster

So am I the only one who saw the sarcasm in this post?

So am I the only one who saw the sarcasm in this post?
- thundachunk

4) I hate the fact he talks to the media to openly

Was hoping this was sarcasm. Surely JB is better dealing with the media than MG? or is more likable in an, aw shucks prairie boy sort of way?

4) I hate the fact he talks to the media to openly

Was hoping this was sarcasm. Surely JB is better dealing with the media than MG? or is more likable in an, aw shucks prairie boy sort of way?
- hillbillydeluxe

I think the point is, he's a little too transparent and willing to discuss things which should only be discussed in private between management. And that is conversely why the media like him thus far. He is available and will provide the answers to pretty much all questions thrown at him. It's a detriment to the team, though, and any of the team's future negotiations with other teams. You've to keep the cards close to your vest and not allow other managers around the league a summary of your strategies.

I think the point is, he's a little too transparent and willing to discuss things which should only be discussed in private between management. And that is conversely why the media like him thus far. He is available and will provide the answers to pretty much all questions thrown at him. It's a detriment to the team, though, and any of the team's future negotiations with other teams. You've to keep the cards close to your vest and not allow other managers around the league a summary of your strategies.
- Zogg

I would say he has been honest at times and not so at other times. Maybe not out right lying but misleading. "We have not asked anyone to waive a ntc, " when they asked that player if they would be willing to waive the ntc...

If, indeed what JB has said is true, there was next to zero interest in some of our players, I am not sure if whatever he said to the media about wanting whichever round pick for a player was underselling or just trying to set a price and generate some interest in the market where there was none.

Fingers are crossed for JB. Given chicken sh!t to make chicken salad. We want change, and it is so difficult to let go.

Ya lots of good teams in the West, but it's not like we didn't have our time at the top. Over the past ten year I think only the Sharks have won more than the Canucks? Don't quote me on that though, I just think I read something to that affect?

While the Canucks have been winning, the others have been losing and getting better, that's how it works. If Nonis and Gillis had been able to draft well, like the Sharks have, we wouldn't be in the position we're in.

There'd be a wave of kids coming behind Henrik and Daniel much like Pavelski and Couture are in San Jose.

West is going to be tight though!!
- LeftCoaster

Isn't Pavel ski like 31. It's time to move him as well. He's 31 in 2 weeks. On the down side within 2 years. Vancouver and San Jose are going to be the hinge heeled hussein of the west soon

What troubles me is the team cleans house. Players, management , scouts all let go from the old regime. The organization did a “thorough review” and fired a cap expert, assistant GM and director or scouting for whatever reasons. Now the TL/JB regime have a “get out of jail card”, any blame can be directed at those guys. Curiously enough the Canucks Management Alumni of Smyl, Delorme and Gradin were miraculously spared from the hatchet man. This is where I have a big problem with TL & Co. I really hope I’m wrong on this but I hope Linden doesn’t become the Kevin Lowe 2.0! old boys club for the next decade!

If he was a better negotiator he could have got 8
- A_SteamingLombardi

I would say he has been honest at times and not so at other times. Maybe not out right lying but misleading. "We have not asked anyone to waive a ntc, " when they asked that player if they would be willing to waive the ntc...

If, indeed what JB has said is true, there was next to zero interest in some of our players, I am not sure if whatever he said to the media about wanting whichever round pick for a player was underselling or just trying to set a price and generate some interest in the market where there was none.

Fingers are crossed for JB. Given chicken sh!t to make chicken salad. We want change, and it is so difficult to let go.
- hillbillydeluxe

Yes indeed.

I don't think anyone likes the Sbisa deal but it is what it is.
- thundachunk

I know i'll be in the minority with this one...but I don't mind it.
Never saw what all the uproar was about and still think he can be a decent 4-5 Dman.
I think by the end of his contract, it won't look that bad.
But hey, i'm an optimist.
If Kassian didn't have attitude problems, I would have kept him as well.

What troubles me is the team cleans house. Players, management , scouts all let go from the old regime. The organization did a “thorough review” and fired a cap expert, assistant GM and director or scouting for whatever reasons. Now the TL/JB regime have a “get out of jail card”, any blame can be directed at those guys. Curiously enough the Canucks Management Alumni of Smyl, Delorme and Gradin were miraculously spared from the hatchet man. This is where I have a big problem with TL & Co. I really hope I’m wrong on this but I hope Linden doesn’t become the Kevin Lowe 2.0! old boys club for the next decade!
- VanHockeyGuy

In 7 years time:

Lowe must Go = linden is forbinden

Isn't Pavel ski like 31. It's time to move him as well. He's 31 in 2 weeks. On the down side within 2 years. Vancouver and San Jose are going to be the hinge heeled hussein of the west soon
- The_Kuze

the what now?

4) I hate the fact he talks to the media to openly

Was hoping this was sarcasm. Surely JB is better dealing with the media than MG? or is more likable in an, aw shucks prairie boy sort of way?
- hillbillydeluxe

Yes. He strikes me as a straight forward, no nonsense person.
He does not have a hidden agenda.
He's up front with what he thinks the team needs. He says something and then gets it done.
I don't have a problem with this.

Before I leave

Sekeres on 1040 said he spoke with Gilman in private after the Sbisa/Dorsett signings, and Gillman didn't want anything to do with those signings. Didn't even want to talk about it.
- Nucker101

Ouch - that doesn't bode well for Benning and future contracts.

Ouch - that doesn't bode well for Benning and future contracts.
- docmorgan

Nucker exaggerating. Gillman didnt want to talk about it. Sekeres speculated is all.