[Article] Jim Benning is the perfect fit for Vancouver Canucks GM, says Mark Recchi

[oldnews]

He also drafted Niktia Filatov and we know how well that turned out.. The new gm has done more like acquiring goalie Bob and few other key pieces.

Yeah, no. Howson acquired Bobrovsky.

He also didn't do so badly in the Nash deal. Dubinsky, Anisimov, Erixon and a 1st (Kerby Rychel) - nowhere near as bad a deal as a lot of people tried to sell it.

Dubinsky alone has 70 points in 105 games since that deal - and is a two way force - to Nash's 81 points in 109 games.

Anisimov has 57 points - and is another solid two way center.

Erixon is scoring a ppg in the AHL and Rychel had 72 points in 45 games this year in Guelph.

I'd take the CBJ side of that deal anytime.

[wallstreetamigo]

Yeah, no. Howson acquired Bobrovsky.

He also didn't do so badly in the Nash deal. Dubinsky, Anisimov, Erixon and a 1st (Kerby Rychel) - nowhere near as bad a deal as a lot of people tried to sell it.

Dubinsky alone has 70 points in 105 games since that deal - and is a two way force - to Nash's 81 points in 109 games.

Anisimov has 57 points - and is another solid two way center.

Erixon is scoring a ppg in the AHL and Rychel had 72 points in 45 games this year in Guelph.

I'd take the CBJ side of that deal anytime.

I agree. It was made out to be not enough but in reality it was a great deal for CLB.

[TheXFactor]

Haven't been keeping up with potential GMs, but is there even evidence that Benning is going to leave Boston? Is there evidence that he's even interested in coming here to Van other than him playing a few seasons for the team?

[Millerdraft]

2007-08 Detroit Red Wings:

Regular season: fewest PIMs per game in the league. Fewest major penalties. 3rd fewest misconducts. No game misconducts.

Playoffs: 3rd fewest PIMs per game. One major penalty. No misconducts.

Every team needs physical play to win championships but that doesn't mean going out there and breaking people's necks, backs, and anything else that's connected to the central nervous system.

Also, read my previous post and quit belittling me. A person with a real argument wouldn't need to resort to that.

Marty Havlat takes serious issue with this oversight.

If you are referring to me, I did say that I was referring to the 2007-08 Red Wings and not the 90s and early 2000s Red Wings. They played dirty like every good team in that era, at least dirty by today's standards. Why else were there 3 Red Wings-Avalanche braws?

The team that won Detroit's most recent Stanley Cup played nothing like that. The original poster asked for an example of a team that could win playing "clean" hockey and I gave one.

How many of those hits are now considered illegal? Several.

[wallstreetamigo]

Haven't been keeping up with potential GMs, but is there even evidence that Benning is going to leave Boston? Is there evidence that he's even interested in coming here to Van other than him playing a few seasons for the team?

Most assistant GM's - including Benning - are interested in taking over the reigns of their own team as a GM I would think. Assistant GM is basically on the job experience for running your own team.

Benning would be a great hire as GM as he certainly brings great drafting credentials (a necessity in Van now imo) and a team building perspective that is very much the right way to build a team in the NHL namely size, speed, youth, and solid overall defensive play. Maybe we would be able to avoid the embarrassment of missing out on so many great BC born players and WHL players in general at the draft table.

I would love to see a new GM completely overhaul the scouting team starting with ousting Delorme. Bring in a new team with a new perspective. Gradin is a keeper but other than that new would be better.

[trevorlindenfan16]

I think benning could be an option but i still want a seasond hockey guy like don cherry as our gm calling the shots

Joe Sakic is the one that hurts the most. He grew up playing hockey 15 mins from the Pacific Colliseum

Agreed. The Canucks have always been poor at drafting. Especially in letting many top prospects that either grew up, or played in our own back yard and were passed on by the Canucks, only to be drafted by other teams to go on to be successful players.

Hopefully that is one of the things that would change assuming we hire Benning. He is excellent at drafting and we could definately use his expertise in that area. We haven't had a good judge of talent in this city since Pat Quinn (or arguably Brian Burke).

[hf44]

Recchi a stud???

He rode Marios coat tails most of his career. Away from Pitt he was average at best

And he's a Dick

GP G A Pts PIM

1992-93 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 84 53 70 123 95

1993-94 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 84 40 67 107 46

I didn't know that Mario played for the Flyers.

[The Bookie]

Yeah, no. Howson acquired Bobrovsky.

He also didn't do so badly in the Nash deal. Dubinsky, Anisimov, Erixon and a 1st (Kerby Rychel) - nowhere near as bad a deal as a lot of people tried to sell it.

Dubinsky alone has 70 points in 105 games since that deal - and is a two way force - to Nash's 81 points in 109 games.

Anisimov has 57 points - and is another solid two way center.

Erixon is scoring a ppg in the AHL and Rychel had 72 points in 45 games this year in Guelph.

I'd take the CBJ side of that deal anytime.

I honestly think Dubinsky might be the best player in the first round playoffs this year.

[Me_]

"Recchi amassed 1,533 regular season and 147 playoff points with seven teams in a career that spanned 22 years, but even he is shocked by what has happened in Vancouver.

Yeah, I am, he said. Obviously, that (2011) was a big series, but Im still a Canucks fan and grew up one and you still want them to do well. Its tough to watch that. And when you lose that swagger, its tough. Thats what made them successful because they believed in what they were doing.

I guess Recchi hasn't really been paying much attention to the goings-on of the Canucks since he retired after the 2011 SCF...I think most of us could see deteoration of the Canucks since the end of 2011-2012.

In all seriousness, everyone who has some history with Benning seems to be endorsing him. Would be great if we could land him as GM...expectations of draft day failures will be a thing of the past.

Not as long as Gradin and Delorme are at the helm... Those two gotta go.

[johngould21]

Agreed. The Canucks have always been poor at drafting. Especially in letting many top prospects that either grew up, or played in our own back yard and were passed on by the Canucks, only to be drafted by other teams to go on to be successful players.

Hopefully that is one of the things that would change assuming we hire Benning. He is excellent at drafting and we could definately use his expertise in that area. We haven't had a good judge of talent in this city since Pat Quinn (or arguably Brian Burke).

Agreed. The Canucks have always been poor at drafting. Especially in letting many top prospects that either grew up, or played in our own back yard and were passed on by the Canucks, only to be drafted by other teams to go on to be successful players.

Hopefully that is one of the things that would change assuming we hire Benning. He is excellent at drafting and we could definately use his expertise in that area. We haven't had a good judge of talent in this city since Pat Quinn (or arguably Brian Burke).

Yeah, BB really knows goal tending talent doesn't he??? How many goalies of the future did he deal for, only to cost that team of the early 2000's a great run at the cup? Please no more BB talk on this GM conversation.

[thundernuts]

I find it hilarious that so many people are still angry at Mark Recchi. He didn't like the Canucks in 2011, he thought they were arrogant. So what! So did just about every other player in the league. Granted, he sounded like an idiot when he blasted them the following year, but who cares.

The guy was an elite player. Yes he played with Lemieux, Francis, Lindros, Jagr, etc. etc. etc., but there is a reason why he was playing on the top lines, and why he led the Penguins in scoring while Lemieux was injured.

He is one of the best players to come out of BC, and it's unfortunate that there is still so much hatred towards the guy because he made some stupid comments.

[missioncanucksfan]

2007-08 Detroit Red Wings:

Regular season: fewest PIMs per game in the league. Fewest major penalties. 3rd fewest misconducts. No game misconducts.

Playoffs: 3rd fewest PIMs per game. One major penalty. No misconducts.

Every team needs physical play to win championships but that doesn't mean going out there and breaking people's necks, backs, and anything else that's connected to the central nervous system.

Also, read my previous post and quit belittling me. A person with a real argument wouldn't need to resort to that.

first, I never intended to belittle you in anyway

I ask to name a team and you did....hat tip to that. You can also use Chicago as another example. Not sure why people piss n moan about their style. Especially against us. Why Bolland? Because he slashed a stick out of the Sedins hands a few times? Coz he knew how to f**k with their heads everytime they were all on the ice together? Duncan Keith getsa bad rep because he takes Sedin out and we all paint him the villain? I bet 90% on here fist pumped when Torres took Seabrook out. Same when Mitchell caught Toews coming out of the penalty box and sent him into next week.

Pount is that these teams learn how to push back and not get pushed around.

The one poster lambasted Recchi, Marchand, Bolland, Doughty and Keith for playing the way they do....I say they are all wring and that THOSE players played with heart, pushed back and ultimately helped their teams win cups....Im the SCF, its all about having the mix and balance of skill, savvy, etc....

we were left looking like cry babys and complaining about what happened to us when we were to ones going in all cocky and full of swaggar but not gettin the job done.

[Fred65]

I find it hilarious that so many people are still angry at Mark Recchi. He didn't like the Canucks in 2011, he thought they were arrogant. So what! So did just about every other player in the league. Granted, he sounded like an idiot when he blasted them the following year, but who cares.

The guy was an elite player. Yes he played with Lemieux, Francis, Lindros, Jagr, etc. etc. etc., but there is a reason why he was playing on the top lines, and why he led the Penguins in scoring while Lemieux was injured.

He is one of the best players to come out of BC, and it's unfortunate that there is still so much hatred towards the guy because he made some stupid comments.

There's little doubt Mark Recchi was a good player....never a humble player but good. But that doesn't mean he's smart, intelligent or worthy of attention now that he's not playing hockey any more. If he was an insightful and thoughtful person he'd be on the staff of some NHL team giving his views and opinions professionally. Maybe a GM or head of scouting some place...a coach reinventing the game as we know it. HE'S NOT ANY OF THOSE THINGS. He's a a guy that wants attention and to be back in the lime light and the only team he coaches is a Pee Wee boys team. His hockey or atheltic gifts were just that....gifts...that required little smarts and only remember the last words his coach told him to do........get over old jocks...they're not philosophers or blessed with exceptional intelligence... they are what they are, old guys wanting some lime light again

[hlinkas wrister]

I honestly think Dubinsky might be the best player in the first round playoffs this year.

He's been incredible, a guy made to play playoff style hockey.

[hlinkas wrister]

first, I never intended to belittle you in anyway

I ask to name a team and you did....hat tip to that. You can also use Chicago as another example. Not sure why people piss n moan about their style. Especially against us. Why Bolland? Because he slashed a stick out of the Sedins hands a few times? Coz he knew how to f**k with their heads everytime they were all on the ice together? Duncan Keith getsa bad rep because he takes Sedin out and we all paint him the villain? I bet 90% on here fist pumped when Torres took Seabrook out. Same when Mitchell caught Toews coming out of the penalty box and sent him into next week.

Pount is that these teams learn how to push back and not get pushed around.

The one poster lambasted Recchi, Marchand, Bolland, Doughty and Keith for playing the way they do....I say they are all wring and that THOSE players played with heart, pushed back and ultimately helped their teams win cups....Im the SCF, its all about having the mix and balance of skill, savvy, etc....

we were left looking like cry babys and complaining about what happened to us when we were to ones going in all cocky and full of swaggar but not gettin the job done.

It reminds me a little of the Churchill quote "History is written by the victors". If the Canucks had managed to win one more game all of their antics could easily have been looked back on as "doing what needs to be done to win" as well.

[thundernuts]

There's little doubt Mark Recchi was a good player....never a humble player but good. But that doesn't mean he's smart, intelligent or worthy of attention now that he's not playing hockey any more. If he was an insightful and thoughtful person he'd be on the staff of some NHL team giving his views and opinions professionally. Maybe a GM or head of scouting some place...a coach reinventing the game as we know it. HE'S NOT ANY OF THOSE THINGS. He's a a guy that wants attention and to be back in the lime light and the only team he coaches is a Pee Wee boys team. His hockey or atheltic gifts were just that....gifts...that required little smarts and only remember the last words his coach told him to do........get over old jocks...they're not philosophers or blessed with exceptional intelligence... they are what they are, old guys wanting some lime light again

I agree with you that being a gifted athlete does not make you intelligent or insightful. Who knows, maybe he'll go on to become involved in pro hockey again at some level and prove that he does have a smart hockey mind, maybe not. However, just because he isn't employed as a GM, scout, or a coach, does not mean that he doesn't have a great mind for the game.

Perhaps he is taking some time away to focus on family and his businesses (like Linden), perhaps he has had job offers and opportunities, but the timing wasn't right, or perhaps he's just a dumb jock and nobody wants to hire him.

I'm not about to condemn him for some blunt remarks he made at the end of his career, or an article about Jim Benning where a reporter thought enough of him to ask him his opinion.

[Apple Juice]

I just have a bad feeling about supporting a team that could be like the Bruins. Would much rather replicate a "Detroit model" and have some class.

Why not both?

He is a Canucks fan?

He's from BC. Naturally, most players that come from BC are/were Canucks fans growing up. It's like if a Vancouverite made it to the NFL, his favourite team most likely would be the Seahawks because it's the closest NFL team to Vancouver

[CanuckFan1981]

Recchi a stud???

He rode Marios coat tails most of his career. Away from Pitt he was average at best

And he's a Dick

He did not ride coat tails!! I thought so also, until he played in Montreal and Philly and showed he was a top line forward on any team in the league. His stats don't lie... IMO HOF... That said, I hated him because of the 2011 finals too and some of the comments he made that year... to be fair, he was helping his team win, which they did... Might have been nice if he was on our side though. Time heals old wounds and nice to see he is still a Canucks fan.

[Langdon Algur]

"When Boston promoted Benning to director of player personnel in 2006, the club drafted Phil Kessel, Milan Lucic and Brad Marchand that summer." Wow what a draft for Boston. During that draft they also traded Raycroft to Toronto for Rask. Talk about a winning draft!! If any of this was Bennings doing hire this guy!!!

[ShakyWalton]

I heard on 1040 today that Linden is meeting with Cam Neely today, what would that be for?

Could they be working out something with Benning, maybe allowing the Canucks to talk to him?