Anybody who thought by gathering a billion draft picks, the team would be turned around by now is clearly a fair-weather fan.
- manvanfan

I won't go that far . More than half the fan base disapproves so there clearly has to be issues but I don't get what people expect?

I seen a few comments today on twitter that Canucks need to trade a forward or D to make room. So the big question is what are other teams willing to pay for our crap?

Agreed but I see the improvement as somewhat accidental. Like Lefty says, they tried to stay competitive and be a playoff bubble team but fell flat on their face each time and got a high draft pick as a consolation prize. The trades and the Eriksson signing make me shake my head. They say one thing and do another. At least now we know the message will be consistent coming straight from Aquilini.
- Marwood

I agree but that was the early years.

You say you're not being impatient but
- VANTEL

I'm not being impatient, I just continually point out mistakes that don't seem to be disappearing and by the recent events of the Linden firing I have more reason to believe they'll continue to (frank) things up.

We're in year 5 of Benning's tenure. How many of his draft picks have had a positive impact on the club so far? If people don't really begin to step forward this season and next then i would consider his tenure an absolute failure.
- golfingsince

Drafting has become bigger then ever. It's 1st and 2nd round that teams covet. JB could of had multiple extra picks in the draft. He didn't pull the trigger because they wanted players and figured they need those spots to take them. Quality over Quantity.
- manvanfan

True, but quality is defined by what a player eventually does in the NHL, regardless of their stats prior to being drafted. Has JB drafted quality? On paper sure. In reality we don't know yet. Looks very promising, but the only thing we have is assumptions.

Your theory only works the way you believe it would have happened. You do know this right?

As for the prospects I stated that teams drafted for the picks that Van had. None of them show NHL ready promise for this season. Bonino contract was up years ago. Who is playing center right now for Van if Bonino isn't re-signed by Van. Who's playing defence in place of Gudbranson? Maybe they sign someone else for more money and longer term. Now team is stuck in cap trouble because they over paid. Force Gaudette and Pettersson to play center before they are ready because this didn't happen or this did happen. Results are the same, results are different. We don't know that. Maybe Van could have got different lottery luck.
- manvanfan

Who played defence in place og Gudbranson the past two years? There's your answer right there.

Had they not traded picks away, their prospect pool would certainly be deeper today than it is.

The team really couldn't have been any worse without Sutter and Gudbranson then they were with them. I get that this is an insight after the fact, but isn't that why these people are paid so much, and there are so few jobs? They are supposed to be better at forecasting players/teams path then the average joe.

I'm not being impatient, I just continually point out mistakes that don't seem to be disappearing and by the recent events of the Linden firing I have more reason to believe they'll continue to (frank) things up.
- LeftCoaster

The power struggle (if true) may continue. Maybe throw Judd Brackett into the mix as well. #Sh1tShow

Your theory only works the way you believe it would have happened. You do know this right?

As for the prospects I stated that teams drafted for the picks that Van had. None of them show NHL ready promise for this season. Bonino contract was up years ago. Who is playing center right now for Van if Bonino isn't re-signed by Van. Who's playing defence in place of Gudbranson? Maybe they sign someone else for more money and longer term. Now team is stuck in cap trouble because they over paid. Force Gaudette and Pettersson to play center before they are ready because this didn't happen or this did happen. Results are the same, results are different. We don't know that. Maybe Van could have got different lottery luck.
- manvanfan

Of course, but that works both ways, you just stated a few pages back what the core will be in YOUR view but three of the players have never played an NHL game.

"Horvat, Pettersson, Boeser, OJ, Hughes, (1 more high draft pick), Demko. That's your core."

Having any of those kids from the second round in 2016 is better than having none of them, wouldn't you agree? 90% of them are just stepping into pro hockey, you would probably include them in your core if Vancouver had drafted one of them

Edit: oh and McCann would be playing center right now, that's who!

I'm not being impatient, I just continually point out mistakes that don't seem to be disappearing and by the recent events of the Linden firing I have more reason to believe they'll continue to (frank) things up.
- LeftCoaster

You are being impatient, you have blinders on and think that only your way is the right way.

No one knows what went on behind those closed doors . It sounded like Linden wanted to blow it up play all young players and take bad contracts for more draft picks . No thanks.

We will find out over the next two years if they were right or wrong . I don;t know how fans can hate a team without even seeing one game played yet so far this year. I seen a lot of things last year that I really liked and I hope they grow on that instead of blowing up the team and tanking.

IMO, the last meaningful trade this franchise made was Schneider for Horvat... and that wasn't made by JB.
- bloatedmosquito

Shink for granny was a win
Burrows for Dahlin was a win.

You are being impatient, you have blinders on and think that only your way is the right way.

No one knows what went on behind those closed doors . It sounded like Linden wanted to blow it up play all young players and take bad contracts for more draft picks . No thanks.

We will find out over the next two years if they were right or wrong . I don;t know how fans can hate a team without even seeing one game played yet so far this year. I seen a lot of things last year that I really liked and I hope they grow on that instead of blowing up the team and tanking.
- VANTEL

No, I'm not being impatient, you don't understand the meaning of it if you honestly think that. Again, I'm just pointing out mistakes, I'd like to see the team managed better.

I want them to finish low and draft really high.

No one is being impatient by saying Benning is bad at his job, they're just stating the obvious.
- LeftCoaster

This.

I won't go that far . More than half the fan base disapproves so there clearly has to be issues but I don't get what people expect?

I seen a few comments today on twitter that Canucks need to trade a forward or D to make room. So the big question is what are other teams willing to pay for our crap?
- VANTEL

I've looked at just about every team on cap friendly. Just about every team is in the same boat for scraps at the bottom. NJ is about the only team that I can think could make use of Granlund/Gagner type. Every team has a couple Gaunce's,

A lot of teams have 23 man rosters already and have a bunch of rookies that could probably beat out a few players.

Chicago could use depth. Might be able to give them Granlund and Hutton for 4th and 7th.

True, but quality is defined by what a player eventually does in the NHL, regardless of their stats prior to being drafted. Has JB drafted quality? On paper sure. In reality we don't know yet. Looks very promising, but the only thing we have is assumptions.
- bloatedmosquito

Until it plays out yup.

Shink for granny was a win
Burrows for Dahlin was a win.
- Pres.cup

Meh, were they meaningful in the sense of impact? I don't think so. Not yet anyway.

IMO, the Brock pick has saved JB's ass. Without it, there's not much else to celebrate.

Meh, were they meaningful in the sense of impact? I don't think so. Not yet anyway.

IMO, the Brock pick has saved JB's ass. Without it, there's not much else to celebrate.
- bloatedmosquito

I’m more worried about the log jam of forwards and how that shiz show is handled than what Benning has done in the past. My count is 22 forwards 12 are centres. Going into camp and 6 need a new home.

No, I'm not being impatient, you don't understand the meaning of it if you honestly think that. Again, I'm just pointing out mistakes, I'd like to see the team managed better.
- LeftCoaster

I can see the hate for JB in his first two years he was horrible. He has since then had two good drafts. Some good RFA signings not overpaying too much . Good cap management , and no dramatic UFA signings.

You said it takes about 4-5 years to rebuild a team or to notice improvement . Well here you are . They have a future #1 center , Dman goalie , and scorer. they just need time now

Meh, were they meaningful in the sense of impact? I don't think so. Not yet anyway.

IMO, the Brock pick has saved JB's ass. Without it, there's not much else to celebrate.
- bloatedmosquito

Again yup

Checks in to see if there are any interesting discussions and quickly sees Lefty is still complaining about the Sutter trade 😴 his obituary will be about Sutter, a second round pick and how Benning is an idiot. Yawn

Of course, but that works both ways, you just stated a few pages back what the core will be in YOUR view but three of the players have never played an NHL game.

"Horvat, Pettersson, Boeser, OJ, Hughes, (1 more high draft pick), Demko. That's your core."

Having any of those kids from the second round in 2016 is better than having none of them, wouldn't you agree? 90% of them are just stepping into pro hockey, you would probably include them in your core if Vancouver had drafted one of them

Edit: oh and McCann would be playing center right now, that's who!
- LeftCoaster

Those players are high draft picks that are showing A TON of promise. Players that are already showing they are capable of playing in the league. I'm not making that BS up. These are reasonable assumptions compared to the BS you spout.

McCann would be playing center. How (frank)en badly would fans be screaming for EP and AG to be playing center then? It would be insane. Could insert them immediately and take a chance at ruining them. The same way they did with McCann.

I’m more worried about the log jam of forwards and how that shiz show is handled than what Benning has done in the past. My count is 22 forwards 12 are centres. Going into camp and 6 need a new home.
- thundachunk

I wouldn't worry too much about scraps clearing waivers.

Checks in to see if there are any interesting discussions and quickly sees Lefty is still complaining about the Sutter trade 😴 his obituary will be about Sutter, a second round pick and how Benning is an idiot. Yawn
- CanuckDon

Need to start an Obsession Chart.

Lefty - Sutter
Vantel - Sedins
Makita - some fringe dman

I'm sure there is more. Manvanfan?

Checks in to see if there are any interesting discussions and quickly sees Lefty is still complaining about the Sutter trade 😴 his obituary will be about Sutter, a second round pick and how Benning is an idiot. Yawn
- CanuckDon

Should we talk about Eriksson and what to do with that chode?

Need to start an Obsession Chart.

Lefty - Sutter
Vantel - Sedins
Makita - some fringe dman

I'm sure there is more. Manvanfan?
- bloatedmosquito

Sorry man, I do predictions.