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

Ya it's a bit of a head scratcher for sure. But I have no issues with anything else he's done except perhaps give Miller a year too long.

The bandwagon fans are all synced up and menstruating this month.. So much whinning from everyone including my friends it's impossible to listen to it

Reading through the pages today, I can't believe how some posters are so opposed to the idea that some of these moves being made are bad.

Some people here seem to think that disagreeing with these moves makes you a whiny child, band wagon jumper, lier and on and on. The ones acting childish imo are the ones who cannot read criticism without resorting to belittling those authors.......

We all knew Benning had to make some moves and I don't think anyone is criticizing the fact that kassian, bieksa, lack, Garrison, kesler etc are gone but that the return was below market value.

Same that yes he needed to acquire a vet goalie, toughness and d depth but again paid higher than other teams have.

Regardless of what the returns were, this team going to get worse, I think everyone agrees, but that doesn't mean all the moves Benning has made are not bad.

Im still willing to wait a few years before deciding whether Benning is a competent GM but imo I have seen more bad then good, of course I saw the opposite with Gillis's first few years and the last few were much worse, so I will be taking the long view.
- belcherbd

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

Reading through the pages today, I can't believe how some posters are so opposed to the idea that some of these moves being made are bad.

Some people here seem to think that disagreeing with these moves makes you a whiny child, band wagon jumper, lier and on and on. The ones acting childish imo are the ones who cannot read criticism without resorting to belittling those authors.......

We all knew Benning had to make some moves and I don't think anyone is criticizing the fact that kassian, bieksa, lack, Garrison, kesler etc are gone but that the return was below market value.

Same that yes he needed to acquire a vet goalie, toughness and d depth but again paid higher than other teams have.

Regardless of what the returns were, this team going to get worse, I think everyone agrees, but that doesn't mean all the moves Benning has made are not bad.

Im still willing to wait a few years before deciding whether Benning is a competent GM but imo I have seen more bad then good, of course I saw the opposite with Gillis's first few years and the last few were much worse, so I will be taking the long view.
- belcherbd

Having an opinion is a good thing, people who say they've had enough of this franchise they can't take it anymore and are jumping ship are the pathetics. I'm talking about the HF Boards I was reading today for the most part.

The bandwagon fans are all synced up and menstruating this month.. So much whinning from everyone including my friends it's impossible to listen to it
- MaWLz

They'll have other stuff to talk about in a few weeks when it's announced that Canada is officially in a recession.

Ya it's a bit of a head scratcher for sure. But I have no issues with anything else he's done except perhaps give Miller a year too long.
- LeftCoaster

If they qualified him it would have given him arbitration rights and since he was the highest scoring defenseman on the Canucks last season they were worried that arbitration would award him more than they could afford/want.

The bandwagon fans are all synced up and menstruating this month.. So much whinning from everyone including my friends it's impossible to listen to it
- MaWLz

I've said it all along, Vancouver has horrible hockey fans. Most people who call themselves fans don't even know poop all about hockey. Many just watch Canucks games, but couldn't tell you anything about the rest of the league.

We needed this change over, it's just too bad it came a year too late.

I've said it all along, Vancouver has horrible hockey fans. Most people who call themselves fans don't even know poop all about hockey. Many just watch Canucks games, but couldn't tell you anything about the rest of the league.

We needed this change over, it's just too bad it came a year too late.
- Scooby_Doo

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

If they qualified him it would have given him arbitration rights and since he was the highest scoring defenseman on the Canucks last season they were worried that arbitration would award him more than they could afford/want.
- Marwood

I wasn't aware of the arbitration rights, good to know.

This Reid Gardiner kid is an interesting prospect.

He went undrafted this year and is coming into this Junior development camp as a free agent.

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

Good points. In particular, I hate the fact that Benning is seemingly transparent. This is NOT a good way to go about things for someone whose job is primarily about negotiation. You never tip your hat as to what you are thinking, going to do or what you need or what your shortcomings are. People can make their own decision and don't need to know the inner workings/details of what a manger is doing or thinking. You don't see any other GM's around the league giving out this kind of detailed information. At best, you get a very generalized response or a no comment

I'm not sure what Benning's background is, but he really needs to get up to speed in terms of the finer details of management. Currently, he is really showing his lack of experience. But again, I just hope it's growing pains and that he'll improve as time goes on and he gets properly settled in.

Canucks signed this guy? 6 '9...

Canucks signed this guy? 6 '9...


- Scooby_Doo

Free agent, No Commitment

I've said it all along, Vancouver has horrible hockey fans. Most people who call themselves fans don't even know poop all about hockey. Many just watch Canucks games, but couldn't tell you anything about the rest of the league.

We needed this change over, it's just too bad it came a year too late.
- Scooby_Doo

Yup it's brutal, most of the "fans" have only been around since the presidents trophy days.. They're fairweather fans, and honestly i find alot of it because Vancouver is such a diverse place to I've in. So many new people moving here all the time that they jumped on when it was good but really have no clue about this franchise.. It's a real funny fan base, it really pushes my buttons sometimes...

Free agent, No Commitment
- classic321

John McLean.

Canucks signed this guy? 6 '9...


- Scooby_Doo

not signed, but invited to devolpment camp as a UFA

Free agent, No Commitment
- classic321

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

John McLean.
- Scooby_Doo

http://www2.tsn.ca/bardow...2BJohn%2BMcLean&id=548978

a good read on the kid

Good points. In particular, I hate the fact that Benning is seemingly transparent. This is NOT a good way to go about things for someone whose job is primarily about negotiation. You never tip your hat as to what you are thinking, going to do or what you need or what your shortcomings are. People can make their own decision and don't need to know the inner workings/details of what a manger is doing or thinking. You don't see any other GM's around the league giving out this kind of detailed information. At best, you get a very generalized response or a no comment

I'm not sure what Benning's background is, but he really needs to get up to speed in terms of the finer details of management. Currently, he is really showing his lack of experience. But again, I just hope it's growing pains and that he'll improve as time goes on and he gets properly settled in.
- Zogg

I'm really surprised by this given the fact that he's been an assistant GM since 2006.

I bet it won't take long for Gilman to find work.

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

That kid who put up point per game numbers in the WHL isn't bad.

Prince albert sucked last year so we'll see what this kid turns out to be.

I've said it all along, Vancouver has horrible hockey fans. Most people who call themselves fans don't even know poop all about hockey. Many just watch Canucks games, but couldn't tell you anything about the rest of the league.

We needed this change over, it's just too bad it came a year too late.
- Scooby_Doo

Yup it's brutal, most of the "fans" have only been around since the presidents trophy days.. They're fairweather fans, and honestly i find alot of it because Vancouver is such a diverse place to I've in. So many new people moving here all the time that they jumped on when it was good but really have no clue about this franchise.. It's a real funny fan base, it really pushes my buttons sometimes...
- MaWLz

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

not signed, but invited to devolpment camp as a UFA
- GloveHandStrong

That thing's on the wrong side of the wall… Where's Jon Snow when you need'm?

I wasn't aware of the arbitration rights, good to know.
- LeftCoaster

Perhaps I should have highlighted the highest scoring defenseman part, for the Benning haters.