Goals against means squat the winning % over 6 games is the big problem. (...) Climbing more teams ahead of the Canucks lengthens the probability they cannot overcome the slow start. St Louis aside the odds are heavily against it even at this early juncture. The full weight of divisional games only will become more apparent as the season goes on. It’s equal to the chances Johnny hockey finds his playoff game.
- Nighthawk

Every game this year is against a divisional rival and most of the meetings are as mini-series of 2-3 games. There could be much more volatility in the standings this year, where hot teams move up quickly and teams in a funk plummet, with every game being a 4 pointer.

The good & bad news is that with 12% of the season complete, 88% of the season remains to play against the same teams.

From the Athletic:

Under pressure: Jim Benning?

The number of turnovers the Canucks made Saturday is eclipsed only by the number of times #FireBenning has trended in Canada over the past six years. In other words, it’s safe to say that Jim Benning has drawn a ton of criticism locally during his seven years as Canucks general manager.

That criticism has rarely been aired on “Hockey Night in Canada,” however, especially not the way it was Saturday night during the first intermission, when Brian Burke described Benning as being under “tremendous pressure.”

Burke went on to note that the club was also in “cap hell,” pointing specifically at “$6 million in dead money” being spent on Eriksson. Ouch.

It’s pretty rare that early-season struggles like what the Canucks are enduring would create this level of public pressure on an NHL general manager. Usually, the first ax falls on the head coach.

This is a weird year, though. And within the industry itself, Burke’s comments match the increasing chatter, speculation and interest — one could even call them rumblings, centring on some of the usual careerist suspects — about how secure Benning might be if the Canucks’ early-season scuffles continue, or accelerate.

Benning’s seat legitimately appears like it may be starting to get hot.

It’ll be worth monitoring this dynamic as the season goes along, particularly if things get really bleak for the Canucks in the early going here.

I'm sure that will get most people hard around here...

From the Athletic:



I'm sure that will get most people hard around here...
- NewYorkNuck

Shambles! Hire Burke!

From the Athletic:



I'm sure that will get most people hard around here...
- NewYorkNuck

It would be most likely the same as firing the coach. Who's available. Plus do you want someone new coming to this years draft with the issues going on.

Maybe they should start talking extension with Petey. Give him some money and maybe it jump starts him.

It would be most likely the same as firing the coach. Who's available. Plus do you want someone new coming to this years draft with the issues going on.
- manvanfan

Now is a much better time to do it than just before the trade deadline or draft...give the incoming team more time to assess & prepare.

Changing the GM will have little impact on the team’s performance over the next one to two months, certainly less than a trade or a coaching change. Could have much more impact over the next couple of years though.

You guys are all idiots. Do you think Green coaches these kids to be out of position, not battle for pucks, constantly turn it over? Elias and Hughes may be young but they have been coached at a relatively high level since they were 10 years old. Green can’t fight their battles for them. Should Green be fired? Perhaps, the teams confidence is in the tank and it’s the easiest change to make. But aquilini and Benning deserve more blame
- CanuckDon

What’s happened to you? This is, like, post #10 in a row where you make perfect sense... I mean, you did call everyone idiots, so there’s at least a little of the old Don in there still

Canucks could use a top3 guaranteed lottery pick...

Canucks could use a top3 guaranteed lottery pick...
- MisterBrown

Name a team that couldn’t use that.

Now is a much better time to do it than just before the trade deadline or draft...give the incoming team more time to assess & prepare.

Changing the GM will have little impact on the team’s performance over the next one to two months, certainly less than a trade or a coaching change. Could have much more impact over the next couple of years though.
- SlightlyOffside

So waiting till the off season when you can inquire about some asst's around the league and such.


Seems more like just a ride it out season. I'm okay with just about anything that happens.

Fettuccine?! You better had an I-talian cook that for you or it’s cultural misappropriation!
- bloatedmosquito

Because old white people have created the inequities that plague our society today? Just a guess.
- bloatedmosquito

lol wow

Now is a much better time to do it than just before the trade deadline or draft...give the incoming team more time to assess & prepare.

Changing the GM will have little impact on the team’s performance over the next one to two months, certainly less than a trade or a coaching change. Could have much more impact over the next couple of years though.
- SlightlyOffside

Can't see how a coaching/GM change is going to help the club in a 56 game season at this point. Let them play out of their slump and see how it goes. Hotly and Demmer need to make a (frank)ing save lol

Like Torts used to say '4 goals on every 16 shots...I'm a little tired of the 25% rule'

I'm putting my money on the Chief's today.

I'm putting my money on the Chief's today.
- VanHockeyGuy

Do you have GB over TB?

Can't see how a coaching/GM change is going to help the club in a 56 game season at this point. Let them play out of their slump and see how it goes. Hotly and Demmer need to make a (frank)ing save lol

Like Torts used to say '4 goals on every 16 shots...I'm a little tired of the 25% rule'


- LordHumungous

Canucks have given up 30 scoring chances in every game this season. They did that only 47% of the time last season.

They just need to practice passing and moving, pass and move. Don't even bother shooting, just passing it back and forth. Basic's

Watch how you talk to an elder junior.
No manners or you just spew at your leisure. You get into a pissing match so that makes you a hypocrite.
- Nighthawk

Well said Nighty!

Name a team that couldn’t use that.
- 1970vintage

I'm putting my money on the Chief's today.
- VanHockeyGuy

I bet on the Bills

Do you have GB over TB?
- LordHumungous

Yup, that's a tough one. I'll take GB 1.57 & Over 53 parlay.

Do you have GB over TB?
- LordHumungous

Let's go Brady

Yup, that's a tough one. I'll take GB 1.57 & Over 53 parlay.
- VanHockeyGuy

Cool. Hoping Brady is done.

Let's go Brady
- VANTEL

Over-rated.

Can't see how a coaching/GM change is going to help the club in a 56 game season at this point. Let them play out of their slump and see how it goes. Hotly and Demmer need to make a (frank)ing save lol

Like Torts used to say '4 goals on every 16 shots...I'm a little tired of the 25% rule'


- LordHumungous

I am not sure how a coaching change in this last two weeks would have helped. No practice time . I am not even sure if coaches are allowed on the ice with the new Covid rules?