I have this attraction to her and it's weird.
- manvanfan

Meh, don't think she's all that. Wouldn't kick her out of bed for eating crackers, just wouldn't invite her back

The risk of not filling the age gap is that the room gets handed over to a bunch of kids. Young NHL players need parents to and role models they can talk to (big age gap if the room is made up of only 30+ year old players and 20 year old players).

JB does not get enough credit for considering the human psychology associated with building strong teams (similar to the draft criteria he implemented for his scouts).

Team still has work to do but they have a good mix of young studs and solid role models. Hopefully they can keep it going.
- CoolerHeads

And yet none of those guys were part of the solution.

Yes, this team is better than in years past. Just imagine how much brighter the future could have been with another 3, 4 or 5 potential player/prospects.

All I'm saying is things are better today than yesterday, but they could have been even better.

The risk of not filling the age gap is that the room gets handed over to a bunch of kids. Young NHL players need parents to and role models they can talk to (big age gap if the room is made up of only 30+ year old players and 20 year old players).

JB does not get enough credit for considering the human psychology associated with building strong teams (similar to the draft criteria he implemented for his scouts).

Team still has work to do but they have a good mix of young studs and solid role models. Hopefully they can keep it going.
- CoolerHeads

They don't want to hear about development and team building, trust me.

They don't want to hear about development and team building, trust me.
- neem55

And yet none of those guys were part of the solution.

Yes, this team is better than in years past. Just imagine how much brighter the future could have been with another 3, 4 or 5 potential player/prospects.

All I'm saying is things are better today than yesterday, but they could have been even better.
- 1970vintage

Or they could have been worse as Neem alluded too.
This is fun.

Yes that is one fact. But what you actually said is I forgot that, which is incorrect. Rebuilding teams need good draftpicks. Many Great teams sucked for years before getting good draftpicks (oilers, hawks, LA the list goes on). They were looking like a better team last year, hence my prediction. Rebuilding teams don't just flip a switch and are better. It takes time and development, and yes for sure a couple really high picks in EP and Hughes. Funny thing is: I always waved the flag on how important bulding around top5 is, so really it's you who forgot.
- neem55

Sure.

And yet none of those guys were part of the solution.

Yes, this team is better than in years past. Just imagine how much brighter the future could have been with another 3, 4 or 5 potential player/prospects.

All I'm saying is things are better today than yesterday, but they could have been even better.
- 1970vintage

Giving players enough time to develop is apart of the solution.

- 1970vintage

Yes that is one fact. But what you actually said is I forgot that, which is incorrect. Rebuilding teams need good draftpicks. Many Great teams sucked for years before getting good draftpicks (oilers, hawks, LA the list goes on). They were looking like a better team last year, hence my prediction. Rebuilding teams don't just flip a switch and are better. It takes time and development, and yes for sure a couple really high picks in EP and Hughes. Funny thing is: I always waved the flag on how important bulding around top5 is, so really it's you who forgot.
- neem55

In that case why not give all the credit to Aquilini?

Or they could have been worse as Neem alluded too.
This is fun.
- dbot

You're right, they could have passed on Vey, or Beartschi and finished bottom 5, that would have been worse. They could have passed on Gudbranson and had one of the worst D in the league.

Oh wait

Or they could have been worse as Neem alluded too.
This is fun.
- dbot

Many people seemed to know rushing guy in, a mistake made by many a teams, is not the route. Yet want to female dog about what not rushing guys looks like... a bunch of years of struggle as we slowly get better. Anyway, I'm getting off my soapbox as some people, even when the evidence is staring them right in the face, aren't going to give.

Giving players enough time to develop is a part of the solution.
- neem55

Like Virtanen and McCann having nothing left to learn in the CHL?

In that case why not give all the credit to Aquilini?
- A_SteamingLombardi

Cause he isn't the GM and didn't build the team and staff beyond JB and Linden. Good on him for hiring the right guy, but the guy who does the job deserves the credit.

Like Virtanen and McCann having nothing left to learn in the CHL?
- 1970vintage

Like Virtanen and McCann having nothing left to learn in the CHL?
- 1970vintage

Ya, it's almost as if he learned something from that mistake and didn't want to repeat it. Crazy. Should have kept making the same mistake, for sure.

Cause he isn't the GM and didn't build the team and staff beyond JB and Linden. Good on him for hiring the right guy, but the guy who does the job deserves the credit.
- neem55

you must work for someone else.

Ya, it's almost as if he learned something from that mistake and didn't want to repeat it. Crazy. Should have kept making the same mistake, for sure.
- neem55

That soapbox must be really high, it's taking you awhile to get down.

Imagine if he had all those draft picks back that he wasted filling in the age gap with players who are now in Europe or the AHL.
- 1970vintage

Yup. I can imagine all the whiners being disappointed. That or finding something else to complain on & on about.

you must work for someone else.
- A_SteamingLombardi

I don't think Aqua group tries to do much in the hockey ops other than approve his moves. I've never heard the idea owners should get credit over GM's, not going to lie seems a bit stupid.

Many people seemed to know rushing guy in, a mistake made by many a teams, is not the route. Yet want to female dog about what not rushing guys looks like... a bunch of years of struggle as we slowly get better. Anyway, I'm getting off my soapbox as some people, even when the evidence is staring them right in the face, aren't going to give.
- neem55

i'm against intentional tanking as a principle.
Beyond that there are obviously multiple routes to developing a team.
I'm not that fussed on how it's done.
i just think it's funny to say we could have been better without recognising we could also have worse lineup atm.

I don't think Aqua group tries to do much in the hockey ops other than approve his moves. I've never heard the idea owners should get credit over GM's, not going to lie seems a bit stupid.
- neem55

I remember the Red Wings thanking their owners profusely after winning cup after cup.

Ya, it's almost as if he learned something from that mistake and didn't want to repeat it. Crazy. Should have kept making the same mistake, for sure.
- neem55

So Pettersson, Hughes, Boeser all making the jump to full time NHL players with only D+1 development? Now don't get me wrong, these are special players, and deserve to be in the NHL, but Benning doesn't have any other bullets that could have been in a position to make the jump now because he traded away a hand full of 2nd round picks that could all have been in a position to start making an impact now, with the proper amount of time...

That soapbox must be really high, it's taking you awhile to get down.
- Marwood

When crybabies want to complain to me directly I will respond. You've stepped up as Captain of team whiner, I know it's hard when the team looks this good. Respect.

You forgot how badly the Canucks had to suck in order to be in that draft position year after year.
Your pompom arm must be sore.
- Marwood

Spoken like a true Leaf fan

And yet none of those guys were part of the solution.

Yes, this team is better than in years past. Just imagine how much brighter the future could have been with another 3, 4 or 5 potential player/prospects.

All I'm saying is things are better today than yesterday, but they could have been even better.
- 1970vintage

Fair enough but I don’t think it is that simple. You have to slay some dragons to get to the princess, can’t bat a thousand, etc.

JB kept the draft picks he felt he needed and sacrificed others to narrow the age gap (most players acquired were always meant to be stop gaps, help maintain a solid culture, and ultimately be replaced by NHL ready prospects). Some were mistakes but a number weren’t.

A lot has been attributed to Benning's public commitments to remain competitive but IMHO that was him setting a high standard across the franchise...the plan likely presented to ownership was to have some bad years, draft well, surround draft picks with veteran support, maintain a strong culture, and rebuild the franchise in 4-5 years.