Explain Your Reasoning

[{nhl}]

As much as people wanted Gillis gone, a lot still have MG mentality..

They want to hold onto every somewhat popular player for as long as possible until they leave as free agents (rather than being traded for value) or they sign a long term, NTC deal which is difficult to move. The problem is we haven't seen a real GM in a long time... one that will acquire quality young players and isn't afraid to trade vets for value/cap space.

I was getting sick of the same old... I'm sure Gillis would have kept Richardson, Matthias, Stanton and Kassian and kept the team at the average level it's always been. I'm a lot happier knowing quality young players will step in to upgrade the total team talent and vets can get cashed out for value, not have a job for life just because they have a NTC. Next year with 5 expiring contracts and years after that we will be happy for the moves made this year.

I'm pretty sure most people are ok with giving up players with the situation we are in now. However, a lot of his moves have been questionable.

-4 year Dorsett contract

-2 year Sbisa contract

-Acquiring Prust for Kassian (a prospect) instead of a pick

How do these moves help our prospects or rebuilding for the future?

[thrago]

I'm more of a fan of Benning this year over last year. His Plan of signing Miller and Vrbata in an attempt to make a lame run at the Cup which anyone could have told him was never going to happen.

This years plan of transitioning the old out to bring in the new is much better. More young players will get the opportunity to play and we will likely place lower in the standings resulting in a higher draft pick.

When you have a young improving team a goal of just making the playoffs is good as it shows progress. But having a goal of just making the playoffs with an ageing declining core and limited youth is just a waste of a draft that could bring us closer to a Cup sooner. After 45 years a Cup is the only thing that should matter to this franchise and any year eg last year that delays that goal is a wasted year.

Finally management gets it and our lame attempts at a Cup with this core are over I think anyways.

[Rush17]

-Sbisa is a sack of potatoes

-Bartkowski is Sbisa v2

-Dorsett long term contract = highly unnecessary

-Lack didn't need to move. A 3rd for Lack is a very unfunny joke.

-Losing Kassian + 5th for basically nothing in return after prust leaves next year = highly unnecessary. Id rather stick with the 23 year old who if rehabbed to full recovery could be a huge asset the teams offence. The type of player that you need in the playoffs. That trade was straight up high potential for 1 year of 7min/game goonery

Briseois is worth it

[Clinch16]

I think things are going just fine, the only real problem here is that CDC has vastly-overvalued the Canucks' players and this is leading to backlash when they are getting dealt for less-than-great returns. There's been a few mistakes along the way (Miller contract), a few miscalculations (Sbisa-too much money, Dorsett-too much term), but nothing too worrisome so far.

I want to see youngsters with the right vets filling in around them, which I believe we're a year away from seeing in a legitimate way, but that's okay because I don't give a rat's ass about the playoffs this coming year. Benning's housekeeping of the roster and contract situations has been good so far, IMO. We just really need to see some kids stepping up at this year's camp.

This ^^ is the whole issue in a nutshell...and fueled by the local media who can't wrap their heads around what is happening.

The next time any of you CDCer's trade your vehicle in on a new car, remember how you all trashed Benning for not getting enough for our assets. There's little doubt in my mind you won't get what you think you should for your beater.

[ChwkCanux]

The Canucks are making smart moves. I do not understand the same people who argued a draft pick after the second round is useless losing their minds at a 5th being thrown in on the Kassian deal. Kassian had no value and is one injury away from being on LTIR with his future in doubt.

Bieksa was in sharp decline last year and, if that had continued this year, no one would have wanted him even as a rental. I don't like Prust, but he is better than a simple goon. He just tends to go a little overboard emotionally at times, but maybe he had other issues going on during last year's playoffs.

I have a lot of faith in the young players who have yet to play in the NHL and am excited to see guys like Gaunce, Cassels, Shinkaruk and Virtanen get their shots. Tampa showed a lot of faith in prospects who were not heavily hyped or drafted early. They built a real team atmosphere and not look like they are set for years, depending on how the cap hits work when the kids' contracts run out. I know, I know. They have Stamkos. Stamkos didn't wake up until the third round. It was the unheralded young players who got them that far and I don't see why the group we had in Utica last year can't combine with guys like Cassels and Virtanen to do the same thing.

If it fails, fine, then they get much needed experience while a guy like Prust is there to talk them through the grind and protect them as well as he can (Dorsett doing the same of course) from the bigger players in our division. I see what Benning is doing and for it to work, you have to move many of the guys who have been here a long time out. He can't wait until next year's trade deadline when he wants to shape the team NOW.

For years, Canucks fans have whined we don't let rookies play and the Wings do. Now we see holes in the line up and panic about it. I am not panicking. I am not blindly following Benning, but he took over and the team got better in his first year in charge even with an aging core. He also added young prospects who look like they could become good players for us. Anyone who says Gillis did the same... Mallet. Second round draft pick on Mallet.... who Gillis said was more NHL ready because he was older. Mallet, as in he should be hit in the head with one. Mallet.... FFS, THAT was an epic fail. Anyone whining about Brisebois, yeah, should get hit with a Mallet.

[BanTSN]

The Canucks are doing exactly what they need to be doing in order to ice a competitive lineup year after year.

Bieksa downgraded to a 3rd line albatross and Bartkowski is younger with more upside. Cheaper signing and fits in Benning's plans.

Kassian was a locker room cancer and lazy player who didn't listen to what any coach ever had to say. Prust is a warrior and is happy to play in the role Kassian was never going to adapt to here. WD and the fans here are going to LOVE the guy.

Matthias vanished from the team long before they let him go to UFA. Good riddance.

Richardson is washed up. Good bye.

Lack was severely overrated by Vancouver fans because he was a bit nutty, maybe. Markstrom just had a great season. What is the deal? Backman will likely become the next great Canuck goalie later on.

Gilman, Crawford, Henning, and the rest of the staff grew stagnant here. Got to go. Cut costs.

And how can you put anything on WD? The guy knows how to get the most he can from this team and we should be patient. Not every loss is the end of the world.

Kick back, relax, have another beer, and enjoy the upcoming season's battle to a playoff spot.

[SaintPatrick33]

This team on paper should have a bit more speed, and be more exciting to watch. Hopefully Willie opens er up and lets em play

[Positive Canuck]

I am having a very difficult time understanding the negativity towards the moves that are being made by the Canucks and what fans actually want and are expecting them to do. I have seen a lot of critique but I haven't seen anyone really explaining what they want the Canucks to be doing.

The way I see it so far with the moves that have been made:

The Draft:

- Entered the day with 5 picks, made 7 selections

- Lack trade: He needed to be moved, wasn't the most sought after goalie, traded him out East, got an early 3rd rounder (basically a 2nd rounder), teams would have paid more if there was a demand for him

- Added Baertschi with one pick, he will most likely wear a Canucks uniform next season and is a 22 year old top 6 winger

- Added Dorsett with one pick, was crucial to the early development of Horvat and the 4th line

- The picks made seem so far to be good ones, a lot of potential of steals in the later rounds and Boeser is the real deal

Bieksa Trade:

- Moved a player that needed to be moved - CDC has hated and loved him since 2009, countless of times he got bashed

- Got fair market value for him, despite a NTC

- Pleasing deal for both the Canucks, Ducks and Bieksa

Kassian Trade:

- How many chances does he need?

- Failed to meet expectations under 3 coaches in Vancouver

- Canucks had to "pay" to get rid off him - no demand for apparently a "PWF with huge potential", teams should be flocking to get him if that was true

- Opens up an opportunity for Grenier/Virtanen to make the team

- Off-ice issues that are rumoured to be severe - you don't want that around your young players

- The Canucks have some of the most "gentlemanly" veterans in the league and not even they could turn him around

- Added Brandon Prust - one of those guys that is loved by his teammates, fights for every inch on the ice, is a consumate professional, is great on the PK, is tough and good on the forecheck, basically provides everything that people wanted out of Kassian minus the offensive capabilities that were questionable at best. Prust and Dorsett on either wing on the 4th line will make teams dread playing the Cancucks

Bartkowski Signing:

- Cheap deal

- 1 year deal, can see if he fits - if not trade him at the deadline

- Makes it easier for both Corrado and Clendening to get playing time but they need to EARN their playing time

Bachman Signing:

- Perfect fit for the situation

- Great starter for Utica, can be relied on if one of Miller or Marky get's injured

Gilman Firing:

- "Cap Genius" that has strapped the new management group with veterans that are difficult to move out due to NTC's and NMC's

- No other topic has been complained about more in the Gillis era on here than the NTC's that were being passed out like flyers

- He was Gillis guy, not Bennings same as Henning

- Was just as responsible off not supplying the best core the Canucks have ever had with the right pieces to win a cup

Crawford Firing:

- Terrible track record of getting our draft picks to the NHL

Sbisa Signing:

- Questionable cap hit

- Could be a bad contract

Hired Willie:

- Got a team that nobody expected to make the playoffs into the playoffs in his first year as Coach

- I still miss AV, but that's a different topic and not Bennings responsibility

2016 NHL Draft:

- Benning feels it is deeper and better - supported opinion by others

- Team is set up to be able to be big time sellers if they don't make the Playoffs (Vrbata, Hamhuis, Prust, Burrows, Higgins, Hansen, Miller(?)

- Expectations are not to make the Playoffs = Lottery pick

- Already have 3 picks in the top 60

My view:

The Canucks have made the best moves they can with the crippeling contracts handed out by Gilman and Gillis. They haven't over paid for injury prone UFAs. They aren't afraid to "rip the bandage off" on players that haven't worked out or need to depart unlike Gillis. Have successfully given their prospects a chance at EARNING roster spots without just giving it to them. Made sure that when these prospects earn their spots that they are surrounded by good mentors. They have not become a tank nation that any real hockey fan should ever support. Answered fans call off getting younger, and insulated these potential Canuck rookies with players that will take on more of the responsibility. Avoided the "bust scare" off having all the pressure on young players to get a team to win. Rookies will learn from some of the best professionals and people in the NHL.

one of the best posts I've read on this forum lately amongst the hysterics of the fanboys and clown media.

Thank you.

#InBenningWeTrust

[Bunter Shinkorvat]

awesome seeing other peoples' posts who see the bigger picture. those first 48 hours of free agency seemed like it lasted for a week with the amount of people hitting the panic button and calling for JB / TL's head.

the only thing i think we got hosed on was the lack trade. i felt we could've fetched a little more but a 3rd and a 7th will do. who knows what could have happened if we still got lack. he could've walked as a UFA, played better and fetched a higher return, or completely crap the bed and lose even more value. it was a safe pick. i'm ok with it.

i was (still am) a fan of kassian's but it's ridiculous how a lot of fans overstate his value when it comes to the prust trade. been 3 years since we got him and we're still talking about potential and whether or not he can get it together. you know you're going to get effort and a honest night's work with prust every single night. not a bad trade, and the it's on a 1 year also. trade bait on the deadline?

bieksa trade was great. personally i don't think he's worth a 2nd round pick in terms of his play the last two seasons. great trade.

call me a homer but i'm not writing off the canucks in making the playoffs next year. i think they'll make it. hopefully that one extra year will help in terms of chemistry and player development. but heck, if they crash and burn that just means a high draft pick as well as being sellers at the trade deadline (more cap room).

really proud of JB and TL for having the cajones to do some major changes. setting is up for success either way.

[Heretic]

Where's the "we're going to be a mediocre bubble team for years to come" option?

[jdatb]

The only vets I wanna keep are Hamhuis, Hansen, and the Sedins. Sell off the rest.

[lmm]

I am having a very difficult time understanding the negativity towards the moves that are being made by the Canucks and what fans actually want and are expecting them to do. I have seen a lot of critique but I haven't seen anyone really explaining what they want the Canucks to be doing.

The way I see it so far with the moves that have been made:

The Draft:

- Entered the day with 5 picks, made 7 selections

- Lack trade: He needed to be moved, wasn't the most sought after goalie, traded him out East, got an early 3rd rounder (basically a 2nd rounder), teams would have paid more if there was a demand for him

- Added Baertschi with one pick, he will most likely wear a Canucks uniform next season and is a 22 year old top 6 winger

- Added Dorsett with one pick, was crucial to the early development of Horvat and the 4th line

- The picks made seem so far to be good ones, a lot of potential of steals in the later rounds and Boeser is the real deal

Bieksa Trade:

- Moved a player that needed to be moved - CDC has hated and loved him since 2009, countless of times he got bashed

- Got fair market value for him, despite a NTC

- Pleasing deal for both the Canucks, Ducks and Bieksa

Kassian Trade:

- How many chances does he need?

- Failed to meet expectations under 3 coaches in Vancouver

- Canucks had to "pay" to get rid off him - no demand for apparently a "PWF with huge potential", teams should be flocking to get him if that was true

- Opens up an opportunity for Grenier/Virtanen to make the team

- Off-ice issues that are rumoured to be severe - you don't want that around your young players

- The Canucks have some of the most "gentlemanly" veterans in the league and not even they could turn him around

- Added Brandon Prust - one of those guys that is loved by his teammates, fights for every inch on the ice, is a consumate professional, is great on the PK, is tough and good on the forecheck, basically provides everything that people wanted out of Kassian minus the offensive capabilities that were questionable at best. Prust and Dorsett on either wing on the 4th line will make teams dread playing the Cancucks

Bartkowski Signing:

- Cheap deal

- 1 year deal, can see if he fits - if not trade him at the deadline

- Makes it easier for both Corrado and Clendening to get playing time but they need to EARN their playing time

Bachman Signing:

- Perfect fit for the situation

- Great starter for Utica, can be relied on if one of Miller or Marky get's injured

Gilman Firing:

- "Cap Genius" that has strapped the new management group with veterans that are difficult to move out due to NTC's and NMC's

- No other topic has been complained about more in the Gillis era on here than the NTC's that were being passed out like flyers

- He was Gillis guy, not Bennings same as Henning

- Was just as responsible off not supplying the best core the Canucks have ever had with the right pieces to win a cup

Crawford Firing:

- Terrible track record of getting our draft picks to the NHL

Sbisa Signing:

- Questionable cap hit

- Could be a bad contract

Hired Willie:

- Got a team that nobody expected to make the playoffs into the playoffs in his first year as Coach

- I still miss AV, but that's a different topic and not Bennings responsibility

2016 NHL Draft:

- Benning feels it is deeper and better - supported opinion by others

- Team is set up to be able to be big time sellers if they don't make the Playoffs (Vrbata, Hamhuis, Prust, Burrows, Higgins, Hansen, Miller(?)

- Expectations are not to make the Playoffs = Lottery pick

- Already have 3 picks in the top 60

My view:

The Canucks have made the best moves they can with the crippeling contracts handed out by Gilman and Gillis. They haven't over paid for injury prone UFAs. They aren't afraid to "rip the bandage off" on players that haven't worked out or need to depart unlike Gillis. Have successfully given their prospects a chance at EARNING roster spots without just giving it to them. Made sure that when these prospects earn their spots that they are surrounded by good mentors. They have not become a tank nation that any real hockey fan should ever support. Answered fans call off getting younger, and insulated these potential Canuck rookies with players that will take on more of the responsibility. Avoided the "bust scare" off having all the pressure on young players to get a team to win. Rookies will learn from some of the best professionals and people in the NHL.

I have absolutely no problem with the players being traded and firings. However, the returns have been bad or wasted.

Garrison, needed space, gained a pick.

Wasted pick on Vey.

Bieksa, needed space, had deal in place with SJ then backed out and took a 20 spot drop

I know many in CDC believe every word of GM-speak as the gospel truth, but what if JB actually misunderstood Wilson? Benning has said 2016 will be better.

I am getting really tired of this "character guy" BS. It is just the latest catchphrase that CDC supporters can use and over-use.

Prust just landed himself in Burrows- Auger soup, so Benning over-pays for him.

Its almost like Steffen Auger constructed that trade.

[-DLC-]

You know, I was just think how we didnt already have enough "to tank, or not to tank" threads.

Thing is, there was a lot of thought and some good ideas presented here....I have a bigger problem with these effortless responses.

I was baffled by the "we need to get younger" promotion that didn't play out in the Kassian deal. With that, I am on board and welcome Prust...just don't like giving up any picks at this point but am happy that we will have a bit of toughness because our young guys could get eaten alive if no one has their backs during the transition and as they're introduced to the line up. With Bieksa gone, that was a concern for me. So in considering the money game, I guess it makes some sense in a big picture way as a temporary fill. Sort of.

[Rollieo Del Fuego]

I think things are going just fine, the only real problem here is that CDC has vastly-overvalued the Canucks' players and this is leading to backlash when they are getting dealt for less-than-great returns. There's been a few mistakes along the way (Miller contract), a few miscalculations (Sbisa-too much money, Dorsett-too much term), but nothing too worrisome so far.

I want to see youngsters with the right vets filling in around them, which I believe we're a year away from seeing in a legitimate way, but that's okay because I don't give a rat's ass about the playoffs this coming year. Benning's housekeeping of the roster and contract situations has been good so far, IMO. We just really need to see some kids stepping up at this year's camp.

That's about right, even the Sbisa contract might work out, he is really about the same player Bieksa was...mistake prone and a bit slow to think but tough and fast enough to get the job done.

The difference is Sbisa has a chance to grow out of the mistake filled game they both play.

The kids need to get in the game.

I would like to see S.B., Virtanen or Grenier and Cassels make the team...maybe Gaunce too...sink or swim for a year and let them grow up together.

Sedins/ Vrbata

S.B. / Horvat / Virtanen or Grenier

Burrows or Gaunce / Bonino / Hansen

Prust / Cassels / Dorsett

Vey

Higgy traded and Burrows or Hansen too if Gaunce makes it.

[aqua59]

I am having a very difficult time understanding the negativity towards the moves that are being made by the Canucks and what fans actually want and are expecting them to do. I have seen a lot of critique but I haven't seen anyone really explaining what they want the Canucks to be doing.

The way I see it so far with the moves that have been made:

The Draft:

- Entered the day with 5 picks, made 7 selections

- Lack trade: He needed to be moved, wasn't the most sought after goalie, traded him out East, got an early 3rd rounder (basically a 2nd rounder), teams would have paid more if there was a demand for him

- Added Baertschi with one pick, he will most likely wear a Canucks uniform next season and is a 22 year old top 6 winger

- Added Dorsett with one pick, was crucial to the early development of Horvat and the 4th line

- The picks made seem so far to be good ones, a lot of potential of steals in the later rounds and Boeser is the real deal

Bieksa Trade:

- Moved a player that needed to be moved - CDC has hated and loved him since 2009, countless of times he got bashed

- Got fair market value for him, despite a NTC

- Pleasing deal for both the Canucks, Ducks and Bieksa

Kassian Trade:

- How many chances does he need?

- Failed to meet expectations under 3 coaches in Vancouver

- Canucks had to "pay" to get rid off him - no demand for apparently a "PWF with huge potential", teams should be flocking to get him if that was true

- Opens up an opportunity for Grenier/Virtanen to make the team

- Off-ice issues that are rumoured to be severe - you don't want that around your young players

- The Canucks have some of the most "gentlemanly" veterans in the league and not even they could turn him around

- Added Brandon Prust - one of those guys that is loved by his teammates, fights for every inch on the ice, is a consumate professional, is great on the PK, is tough and good on the forecheck, basically provides everything that people wanted out of Kassian minus the offensive capabilities that were questionable at best. Prust and Dorsett on either wing on the 4th line will make teams dread playing the Cancucks

Bartkowski Signing:

- Cheap deal

- 1 year deal, can see if he fits - if not trade him at the deadline

- Makes it easier for both Corrado and Clendening to get playing time but they need to EARN their playing time

Bachman Signing:

- Perfect fit for the situation

- Great starter for Utica, can be relied on if one of Miller or Marky get's injured

Gilman Firing:

- "Cap Genius" that has strapped the new management group with veterans that are difficult to move out due to NTC's and NMC's

- No other topic has been complained about more in the Gillis era on here than the NTC's that were being passed out like flyers

- He was Gillis guy, not Bennings same as Henning

- Was just as responsible off not supplying the best core the Canucks have ever had with the right pieces to win a cup

Crawford Firing:

- Terrible track record of getting our draft picks to the NHL

Sbisa Signing:

- Questionable cap hit

- Could be a bad contract

Hired Willie:

- Got a team that nobody expected to make the playoffs into the playoffs in his first year as Coach

- I still miss AV, but that's a different topic and not Bennings responsibility

2016 NHL Draft:

- Benning feels it is deeper and better - supported opinion by others

- Team is set up to be able to be big time sellers if they don't make the Playoffs (Vrbata, Hamhuis, Prust, Burrows, Higgins, Hansen, Miller(?)

- Expectations are not to make the Playoffs = Lottery pick

- Already have 3 picks in the top 60

My view:

The Canucks have made the best moves they can with the crippeling contracts handed out by Gilman and Gillis. They haven't over paid for injury prone UFAs. They aren't afraid to "rip the bandage off" on players that haven't worked out or need to depart unlike Gillis. Have successfully given their prospects a chance at EARNING roster spots without just giving it to them. Made sure that when these prospects earn their spots that they are surrounded by good mentors. They have not become a tank nation that any real hockey fan should ever support. Answered fans call off getting younger, and insulated these potential Canuck rookies with players that will take on more of the responsibility. Avoided the "bust scare" off having all the pressure on young players to get a team to win. Rookies will learn from some of the best professionals and people in the NHL.

Great post, well thought out.

I think the point that resonates with me the most are the NTC contracts handed out by Gillis and Gilliman. A clear philosophical difference between old regime and new one is evident. Long term contracts have handcuffed the new regime from moving forward in the direction they want to go.

I don't think fans realize what a strain it's caused in their future planning.

[canucklehead44]

Things are very unclear. The Canucks made the playoffs last year but were a bit fragile. Improving the team slightly should have solidified our position as a playoff team again.

I would have not had a problem with this at all.

Unfortunately, we got a bit worse. I would be supportive of a youth movement, allowing some younger players to get opportunities and seeing what kind of talent we could generate. Even though we would miss the playoffs, the intention would be clear. This would mean trading away older assets at the deadline for picks, selecting in the top 8 of the draft, and potentially having a quick tear down rebuild (not a full tank like Buffalo).

Where we are is in-between the two, or the "mushy middle". We are a bubble team that got a bit weaker. We gave up some fairly valuable players for paltry return. Bieksa who is a top 4 defenseman, Lack who was our best goalie and a capable starter, and Kassian who was recently our top prospect and is still a promising young player. In return we got a UFA forward, a late 2nd and an early 3rd. The chances of even producing an NHL player out of those picks is less than 50%. Not to mention we also let Matthias and Richardson walk, who were two very solid contributors for us last year.

Next we sign Weber and Bartkowski. Two players while not old, are no longer young and don't have top 4 potential. The signing of both of these players makes it difficult for Stanton, Corrado, and Clendening to draw into the lineup.

Where do I see us? 2 points out of a playoff spot come the deadline. My biggest fear is we either stay put or acquire a player to get in and just miss. Our UFAs walk for nothing, and we went up with a mediocre 12-15th overall pick.

Sedin Sedin Vrbata
Baertschi Bonino Burrows
Higgins Horvat Hansen
Dorsett Vey Prust
__
Kenins

Where does Virtanen fit?? Call-ups: Grenier, Gaunce, Jensen, Cassels, Shinkaruk, Friesen

Edler Tanev

Hamhuis Bartkowski

Sbisa Weber
__
Clendening, Corrado

Still old, but crappy. Call ups: Fedun, Biega, Pedan

I could be wrong. Baertschi could be a monster, Vey could improve and hit 40 points, and Horvat could step up in a big way. Markstrom takes over for Miller and is a beast. No hope for our D though.

[goblix]

-Sbisa is a sack of potatoes

-Bartkowski is Sbisa v2

-Dorsett long term contract = highly unnecessary

-Lack didn't need to move. A 3rd for Lack is a very unfunny joke.

-Losing Kassian + 5th for basically nothing in return after prust leaves next year = highly unnecessary. Id rather stick with the 23 year old who if rehabbed to full recovery could be a huge asset the teams offence. The type of player that you need in the playoffs. That trade was straight up high potential for 1 year of 7min/game goonery

Dorsett contract probably will be fine, specifically if we're paying 800k - 1m on 3-5 ELC contracts next 3 years it enables us to spend a little more elsewhere.

Lack was the third goalie... would you of wanted markstrom gone for a 5th or less ? I can answer that for you because no you wouldn't since that would mean Luongo was traded for a 5th and CDC would've blown up lol

On the Kassian trade he's had 4 years, sticking with him again is just plain stubborness. I understand the position on holding assets to see if they mature but they obviously know Kassians work ethic more than us.

On Prust he's not a goon and he plays around 12-14 minutes a game so how about you actually watch a player before you knock him.

[RWMc1]

There is a little hypocrisy or disparities in message. We need to get younger. That was justification for several moves. We added a 34 yr old Miller; We added a 34 yr old Vrbata; We keep a 32 yr old Higgins and let a 27 yr old Matthias walk: now we add a 31 yr old Prust for a 24 yr old who had several injuries to deal with last season. Add that several other Canucks had up and down seasons and I have to wonder about favoritism. Bonino was not consistant; Vey was not consistant, just to name a couple. There were other players with consistancy issues who had a relatively injury free season. There were no excuses for them yet they are still here. If it is off-ice issues then they should just come out and say "personal reasons".

Time will tell if we over-value our players. I could ask $10,000.00 for a broken down car. If someone offers me $10.00, I don;t have to take it. I could wait for a better offer. We made these deals because Benning needed to recover picks. He put himself in a position whereby other GMs knew he was desperate to get rid of players. He created his own crappy market options, which minimized returns.

[EagleShield]

Let's look at what he has done:

2014 Draft

Good selections, I understand the Virtanen pick even though there were better players on the board. Tryamkin was a risk for "almost a second round pick" and he likely would have been on the board when we picked again.

2014 UFAs

Miller was an awful signing that continues to cause headaches. He's below average at this stage of his career and declining. He's eating up $6m in cap space. We should have run with Lack and Markstrom (probably a better tandem than we had last year anyway and if it didn't work we'd have had a prime ticket in the McDavid sweepstakes.

Vrbata - legit goalscorer on a short contract = win.

Trades

I know Kesler hamstrung us, but Benning had to get Ottawa's first instead of Anaheim's. Not taking a 3rd back and giving up a B prospect could have done it. (Not that I'm unhappy with McCann, but we would then have been in a position to jump up and take Nylander for relatively little.)

Forsling for Clendenning = good trade. Accelerated development.

Baertschi was Benning's single best move so far. Legit top 6 talent that's 22 years old.

What was effectively Garrison for Vey: I liked getting rid of the cap hit, and Garrison was truly awful in the Torts year, but I'd have preferred to pick at 50 than get Vey. OK player, but maybe we could have promoted one of our prospects to the big team.

Dorsett trade: Good value.

Pedan: Giving up a 3rd was too much. Mallet and a 5th I'd buy

Lack: Pragmatically speaking, it had to be Lack to go. I still can't believe that there was no better offer than Carolina's.

Bieksa: The messing about with SJ was laughable, the return was solid. Sad to see Bieksa go, but the last thing we want is a player like that to retire and leave no legacy.

Kassian: WTF. Guy was traded cause he was inconsistent while never being given consistent ice-time. If his back is a serious concern, then this isn't that big of a deal.

Re-signings

Tanev: overpaying a little, but we need him.

Dorsett: Overpaying again, but it wouldn't be so bad if it didn't overlap with...

Sbisa: Holy fcking shtballs. $2.9m to qualify and everyone was saying to let him walk, and then JB goes and gives him more money and more years?!

Vey: meh.

Markstrom: meh.

Kenins for league minimum? OK!

2015 UFAs

Bartkowski was cheap and we'll see how that plays out

Weber was cheap too. Was solid for us last year.

It's a very very mixed bag and we are a worse team next season. We need some quality draft picks to build for the future, so that doesn't scare me. And we had a really solid draft this year too.

[Crabcakes]

We surround young guns with character vets, and then contend for a cup.

There's no condending for the cup until the "young guns" approach their prime.