It has been a poop product but it is getting better .
- VANTEL

Of course it's getting better, that happens naturally with every team that finishes near the bottom of the league through the best access to the best prospects.

Flyers shouldn't be #1 before and after the last draft. They lack the top end talent now in their system.

There are a lot of teams with good talent. Nobody was arguing that. We also weren't claiming that JB has come up with some new solution of draft and develop. As I said it has "always worked". Which would imply that it's been done before, so clearly JB didn't just create it out of nowhere. It's just hasn't been done very well in Van. 20 years ago since Van had a prospect pool this good.
- manvanfan

Fair enough, I dont follow all prospects as closely (at all) as you do, so I'm simply basing this off of somebody else's work.

Of course the prospect pool is better then it has been since the early 90's, they have been among the worst teams in the league the past five years. If it really was all about draft/develop he wouldn't/shouldn't have traded away all those picks.

I use these two teams as the GM's were hired within 2 weeks of each other, both were in need of fresh faces in the lineup, and both teams spent to the cap in each of these seasons while both have significant space this year.

2013/14 Van 25th, Phi 13th (PO)
2014/15 Van 8th (PO), Phi 24th
2015/16 Van 28th, Phi 13th
2016/17 Van 29th, Phi 19th
2017/18 Van 26th, Phi 13th (PO)

One team managed to remain competitive, the other not so much.
- 1970vintage

That is a crock of sh1t

We had aging players and the team needed to be torn down then while Flyers had young players on the upswing,

Flyers have also traded players like Richards and Carter who were very instrumental in winning a cup . They also made numerous trades like Brayden Schenn Scot Hartnell.

Flyers also had Bobby Clark calling shots as we bring in rookie Trevor Linden


Horrible example

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect the Canucks to make big leaps in the next two years, although it might take 3 to make the playoffs. If EP can translate his game to the NHL and a guy like Juolevi can have a positive impact on the D corps then all it really takes is for Hughes to join the lineup an maybe have another impact player in the next draft and you'll start to see some big gains from the club.
- golfingsince

There's a lot of "ifs" there but I'm thinking the Canucks are three years/seasons away from competing or pushing for a playoff spot.

Of course it's getting better, that happens naturally with every team that finishes near the bottom of the league through the best access to the best prospects.
- LeftCoaster

So what's the problem ? You seem more impatient that Benning .

It's obvious Benning doesn't want to be part of a rebuild, even though he's actually doing that through failure. I think you're gonna continue to see draft picks dealt to support the kids he's drafted from the teams poor finishes.

We'll see how it plays out I guess. I don't see Benning making it past his two year extension though, because in my mind the team isn't close to being competitive in the next two years.
- LeftCoaster

Explain how the team won't be competitive in the next two years?

What do you think this team needs before it becomes competitive?

A lot of teams don't want a tear it down rebuild . The current Hawks, Det ,LA ,SJ .

I think it is bullsh1t that anyone on the Canucks management or ownership thinks they are a playoff team this year . There is a big difference in getting better year after year.

The sky is falling media is having a field day . The fact is the team was better last year when healthy and will be better this year. The young important players like Hughes OJ Demko Dahlen EP Brock Bo Lind need time .

People need to realize the difference that when a GM says we want to be competitive that it does not translate into meaning I want to make the playoffs.
- VANTEL

But when the owner references 'look at what Colorado, New Jersey & Vegas did last season' that screams why can't the Canucks do that this season.
I am more and more glad that Hughes is away from this sh*t show. Anyway, at least they have a 4th line locked down for the next 4 years.

Vancouver had 33 year old Sedin's and Vrbata, 19 (horvat)
Flyers had 25 (Voracek), 26 (giroux), 23 (schenn), 21 (Couturier)

The best players entering their prime vs best players on a decline.

No wonder one team stayed competitive and the other one didn't
- manvanfan

So if you can see it, and I can see it, and Lefty can see it, why couldnt Benning see it?

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect the Canucks to make big leaps in the next two years, although it might take 3 to make the playoffs. If EP can translate his game to the NHL and a guy like Juolevi can have a positive impact on the D corps then all it really takes is for Hughes to join the lineup an maybe have another impact player in the next draft and you'll start to see some big gains from the club.
- golfingsince

Well put

There's a lot of "ifs" there but I'm thinking the Canucks are three years/seasons away from competing or pushing for a playoff spot.
- LeftCoaster

There are a lot of ifs, which holds true for any team looking to transition from the cellar. We do have a pile of young players marinading in the minors/chl/college of which a couple will certainly join the big club over the next couple of seasons and provide something we aren't necessarily counting on.

In the end it doesn't really take as much as one might think to elevate a team from the basement. We went from having some of the best goaltending in the league to among the worst over the past 5 seasons, which in itself is certainly good for a substantial climb in the standings.

Explain how the team won't be competitive in the next two years?

What do you think this team needs before it becomes competitive?
- manvanfan

TIME

Explain how the team won't be competitive in the next two years?

What do you think this team needs before it becomes competitive?
- manvanfan

8 new defencemen, 11 new forwards and 2 new goalies?

TIME
- LeftCoaster

Time for what?

I don't believe Benning and Weisbrod believe they're a playoff team this year either, however, I do believe they think they're almost a playoff team, which in my mind is complete lunacy!

I'm of the opinion Benning believes the year after this one they can be a playoff team. Every year he says he thinks they can compete for a playoff spot and they finish at the bottom of the league.
- LeftCoaster

That's because he's an idiot.

That is a crock of sh1t

We had aging players and the team needed to be torn down then while Flyers had young players on the upswing,

Flyers have also traded players like Richards and Carter who were very instrumental in winning a cup . They also made numerous trades like Brayden Schenn Scot Hartnell.

Flyers also had Bobby Clark calling shots as we bring in rookie Trevor Linden


Horrible example
- VANTEL

So what you're saying is the Flyers have done a better job?

So what's the problem ? You seem more impatient that Benning .
- VANTEL

What gives you the idea I'm impatient? Seriously? I want a slow rebuild. How is that not apparent to you? I want them to take a step back for another couple years and draft low, have you not been listening to me for the past couple years?

I want kids to develop for a few years, which means time in other leagues for a year or two.

So if you can see it, and I can see it, and Lefty can see it, why couldnt Benning see it?
- 1970vintage

Have you ever tried to trade the Sedins in Vancouver? Lord knows I have tried for years and years and have argued with an entire fan base for 9 years on that subject. Do you not think they could not have got a boatload for them? They are more revered than God in Vancouver. Don't go there my friend

Time for what?
- manvanfan

Development and growth of young players.

I think it's great because it makes Benning directly accountable to Aquilini for the poop product he's putting on the ice and if he believes he's close to making the playoffs (which I think he does) he's gonna fall flat on his face and find the same fate that fell to Linden.
- LeftCoaster

Benning will be gone after they don't make the playoffs next season. I'm hoping it will be after not making the playoffs this season.

That's because he's an idiot.
- Marwood

I'm not advocating that Benning is some sort of genius or that he's doing/has done a good job. I just think that he's managed to assemble some good young talent in spite of himself.

There are a lot of ifs, which holds true for any team looking to transition from the cellar. We do have a pile of young players marinading in the minors/chl/college of which a couple will certainly join the big club over the next couple of seasons and provide something we aren't necessarily counting on.

In the end it doesn't really take as much as one might think to elevate a team from the basement. We went from having some of the best goaltending in the league to among the worst over the past 5 seasons, which in itself is certainly good for a substantial climb in the standings.
- golfingsince

So Ryan Miller wasn't the answer?

So what you're saying is the Flyers have done a better job?
- 1970vintage

I think the Flyers should be a lot better than what they are. Flyers are just another team that is lost in the mix . It is like being excited about Meatloaf the food

Dahlin?
- VANTEL

Is the second best D prospect behind Bobby Orr.

So Ryan Miller wasn't the answer?
- 1970vintage

Meh, at the time we could have done worse. He was a stopgap.

Aside from anything else this team can do, how much better do you think they'd look with prime years Lu?

I'm not suggesting we acquire that type of goalie at this time but it sure has a way of covering up a team's warts.

Weren't people here super high on Tanev a couple years back. Claiming his starts showed he was an elite shut down guy or defensive star.

That was the time toto trade him, after the world championships.