New Culture, New Voice

[Rush17]

**The questions in this post have since been answered in the

Introductory Press Conference with President Trevor Linden and GM Jim Benning. **

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Before you read this post. I ask that you understand this post comes from a place of good will. I was going to post it as a response in another post but felt it would be better reached in its own topic. So here we go!

New Culture, New Voice.

The one question that always looms when an organization changes leadership is often how will the team change. It has been made apparent to us that a new culture is needed in Vancouver and will be the focus of new President (Trevor Linden) and GM (Jim Benning). I recently watched the series Behind the B; a detailed look at the inner workings of the Boston organization. (The former home of our new GM Jim Benning).

After watching the series it became clear to me what it means to be a Bruin and how their leadership exemplifies the very values and qualities they look in a player. It all starts with the most important role the teams Captain. It is hard to argue that anyone can be more of a Bruin then their Captain Zdeno Chara. The 6 9 255 pound defenseman showcases the very qualities, vision, and values their organization tries to promote.

With the recent hiring of Jim Benning it raises the question what type of impact will someone like Jim have coming from such such an organization. It is no surprise to most Canucks fans their team has become stale and some say the team has developed an attitude of entitlement. It has been made clear by Trevor Linden that a culture change is needed. Benning comes from an organization that relies heavily on its players to be tough, hard working, gritty, and accountable.

What will the new culture in Vancouver look like. It has been made clear by Linden there needs to be a change and that begins by defining what it means to be a Canuck. Clearly the new GM will have a say in the culture but there raises a question. If the team is to follow a similar path to that of the Boston model who best exemplifies the teams qualities? One player that comes to mind is that of Defenseman Kevin Bieksa. He would certainly be relied upon for his leadership but I think it opens up a bigger question.

Could we see a potential captaincy change to usher in this new generation. I know this will be a hot topic of discussion and it question comes from only the warmest part of my heart. But given the potential culture change is Henrik the best example of leadership for this team? I would have to argue that he may be the best person for the job; but who can truly say.

One could argue Henrik and Daniel have been a major force in the teams success over the last decade. Obviously beginning back in the old days of the West Coast Express; to the more recent Stanley Cup push in 2011. The team did after all fall just 1 win short of a cup victory; but what complicates the situation is our new GMs history. Benning did after all join us from the very team that crushed our Stanley Cup hopes.

I truly believe Benning is the best person for the job here in Vancouver. I am thrilled we managed to bring on the best available GM on the market. Some could argue Shero is a better GM but if you look at what he has left in Pittsburgh it kind of reminds me of what Gillis left us. We got the guy we wanted and I have never been happier. But if there is going to be a culture change will they be able to mold what it means to be a Canuck around some of the key values Henrik brings.

I think that will be the key to our success. But for now I will sit back, relax, and trust in our new and very experienced GM. Thanks for reading. Sorry for the wall-o-text.

**Havent proof-read just flowing thoughts** Enjoy folks! Cant wait for tomorrows press conference with Sir. Benning. Apologize my ? stopped working when writing lol.

[ice orca]

Chara dives more than both Sedins have ever done x2.

[JeremyCuddles]

Chara dives more than both Sedins have ever done x2.

And it reflects in their team.

I think we need a captaincy change. I love the Sedins and believe they are hands down the best players we've had. Bure and Naslund are close but Sedins have done more for us collectively. But they aren't leaders, not in a Getzlaf or Toews way that take over at will.

The Sedins are more of a "another day at work" types. Kesler and Bieksa are the heart and soul players. Of course we don't see them in the locker room so I can't say for sure.

[awalk]

I don't know if you can say the Sedin's aren't leaders. They are the types of guys who lead by example. Look at where they were and how far they have come, they obviously work their butts off.

[ScotianLifestyle]

Awesome post OP. I feel we are on that journey to find that identity what makes us all Canucks.

[Maginator]

I think that changing the captaincy can give this team a new voice/culture, but who's to say a letter on the sweater actually makes that big of a difference? Letter on the sweater or not, if you want your voice to be heard, it can be heard. If it was my choice KB3 would be captain, but I feel like taking it away from Henrik might do some morale damage.

[The Magician]

Chara's 37 years old too. He's got 2-3 years left and then the Bruins' goonery is over.

[Tangerines]

I think the players Benning and CO. choose in this draft will exemplify who, and what he wants a Canuck to player to represent.

[Rush17]

I think that changing the captaincy can give this team a new voice/culture, but who's to say a letter on the sweater actually makes that big of a difference? Letter on the sweater or not, if you want your voice to be heard, it can be heard. If it was my choice KB3 would be captain, but I feel like taking it away from Henrik might do some morale damage.

The great thing about having the C on your sweater. Is it its a reflection of management and the culture you are trying to promote. I think it impacts the next generation-young players more so then the existing roster. It will still affect the locker room though. If we are looking to make an injection of youth thats where the C on someone that fits that mold is best utilized. In the room right now regardless of Henrik remains Captain he will still be respected as a captain moving forward similar to how Linden was when he returned.

[goalie13]

The thing is, Bieksa is already an alternate captain. He already part of the captaincy / core leadership on the team. I don't think swapping his A for a C would make for any significant difference.

If I was to change any letter it would be Daniel's. The A stands for alternate, as in, when the captain isn't available. Hank and Daniel spend the majority of their time on the same line. So having the captain and one alternate always on the ice together seems a little redundant. They should spread it around a little more.

One day it will be time for Hank to pass down the C to the leader for the next generation. It just isn't time for that yet.

[etsen3]

I don't want to copy the Bruins' culture. They have some good elements we can adopt (competitiveness, winning tradition, good players) However I can definitely do without the whining and sense of entitlement that the Bruins have.

[Knucklehd]

Carefully written post on what can be a passionate topic OP.

I think, for the most part, henrik exemplifies what it is to be a canuck. He, and his brother, have always been heralded for their work ethic, commitment to excellence and passion to win. Henrik is very much a "lead by example" leader, which I believe is an imperative trait for a leader. Unfortuneatly, I also feel that a leader needs a harder edge at times, and I don't see that with henrik.

With that said, I think it would cause more damage to take away the "C", so I think it would be best to give the "A" to Bieksa and Kesler(assuming he will stay). Those two can help make up for the edge that henrik lacks.

[BanTSN]

Sedins just came off what, their worst season ever?

[FlyLow_]

I think that changing the captaincy can give this team a new voice/culture, but who's to say a letter on the sweater actually makes that big of a difference? Letter on the sweater or not, if you want your voice to be heard, it can be heard. If it was my choice KB3 would be captain, but I feel like taking it away from Henrik might do some morale damage.

I'd rather just leave it with Hank than give it to Bieksa thank you very much. Bieksa's a good interview, but his play is as much the problem as anyones. Since the cup run he's been abysmal, it's so sad watching him try and PK Subban when he can't. Hopefully high up on Benning's list is to get guys like Bieksa back in their proper roles. Defence first Nasty Bieksa was far superior to whatever he's become. There's also the part about captains of good teams being one of the team's best players, Bieksa isn't even close to that the last few seasons.

As for captaincy It's not about what gets said in the locker room, it's just talk. Leading happens on the ice, and Kesler's been doing that for many years. Hank may wear the C, but everyone knows who the leader of this team is. People talk about trading Kesler like it's no big deal, for a team lacking in guys that can set the tone in every single area of the game I assure you it's a huge deal.

If the Boston Model is the true plan, pretty much bank on Kesler not being traded and being your new captain. And pretty much bank on old leadership being moved out for new leadership with more snarl. That is of course, if the Boston Model is the plan...

[Absent Canuck]

I dont want the Bruins model. I want the Blackhawks model.

Captain serious may wear the C but I can tell Keith Seabrook and Hossa are the main thrust of leadership. Toews is a great captain now, but not at age 19 or whatever he was.

The Hawks are fast and skilled. They are big enough not to be shoved around but that is where it ends. Outside of Duncan Keiths Cooke like behavior, the Hawks are not known for super gooning for the sake of it. They let their skill do the intimidating.

I am a firm believer in dumping several key parts of the Canucks. Kesler, Edler and whomever has any value such as Hamhuis. I dont do it to be mean or because I dont understand their value to us.

I watch teams 'cores' go through their growing phase to prime to decline and death. The Canucks have continually gone through rebirth.

Bure begat Jovanoski , Linden begat Bertuzzi and an asset to eventually get Henrik Sedin. We robbed the Penguins for Naslund. We made an excellent draft of Ohlund. We eventually flipped Bertie to get Luongo. While those guys were being developed, sucked super hard to get the Daniel Sedin and flipped the other Linden asset to get Henrik.

The Sedin draft is much like having 2 first overall picks. Its not that far off. All we had to do is super suck one year and trade our franchise hero Linden to secure them both. We had to super suck to get Linden in the first place which is what started this whole process.

This team cannot win the cup. Lets do what we have done before so we have a chance to win the cup in the future. Stock up on high end franchise players using current core players who still have prime value. Worked very well for us before.

[70seven]

I don't believe in the Boston "model" or "culture" necessarily coming with Benning. I think a culture is set by a teams on ice leadership, which in Bostons case was set by the likes of Chara, Lucic, Bergeron, Krejci... Making them a Big, tough, 200 ft team.

The biggest change will come with the coach they select, but like Linden and Benning, there'll be a consistency throughout the management group. We will see a movement back to a puck moving team that rolls its lines and giving real roles to the "role players" on the club. What you should see out of that is everyone feeling like they are a part a the team, rather than burdening the top players with all the responsibility as we did this last season.

We'll certainly see some additions and subtractions but it should be a similar group for the most part. Any "culture" that Benning will directly effect likely wont be realized until "his" players are the make up of the teams core. I'm interested to see what transactions are made, specifically with Kesler. He seems to be the type that Benning and Linden would want to stick around, but if theres a chance to set up this teams future while being able to fill his absence through added depth, it's quite possible they go that direction, as that would certainly fast track getting the players that they want to fill out the lineup. Tough, tough decisions to be made for sure.

[wallstreetamigo]

I think stripping Henrik of the C would be a huge mistake. But if they did it would be an even bigger mistake to give it to Bieksa or Kesler imo.

Both those guys could generate good returns that would help the Canucks down the road a lot more than keeping them would.

Kesler already has question marks about whether he even wants to be here despite what he says. He can also be very selfish on the ice which limits his and his linemates effectiveness at times. He is a hard worker but seems to have a sense of entitlement about him which would not serve him well as the face of this team at this point in time.

Bieksa is funny and engaging as an interview but he is also one of the most inconsistent players on the team in terms of mailing it in, taking back breaking penalties at the wrong time, and not being able to recognize there is something critically wrong with how the team has played the last few years. Not a great choice for captain of a team that looks stale, entitled, and often disinterested. He is one of the worst offenders on the team.

Hopefully if both stay a new coach will help them get back to their best. But they could both easily garner a great return because they are still valuable to other teams. The leadership core needs a shake up as much as the rest of the team does and even though Henrik will never be a captain in the mold of Toews, etc., he is the face of this franchise right now and so he should be.

If they strip Henrik it needs to be for a very good reason and neither Bieksa or Kesler are that reason.

[BanTSN]

What difference does the 'model' even make if you don't have the players?

Same with who's wearing the C. Doesn't matter.

Oh, and if we're trading Kesler/Bieksa, then you might as well blow up the lockerroom.

The Canucks simply need to start acquiring great players. If Benning does that, fine. But it's going to take time. The model, the C, trades, etc. is just windowdressing.

[The-Impersonator]

Nice post. I agree the culture needs to change. Last year with the ongoing goalie mess, Gillis, Torts shenanigans and our crappy play we became a bit of a laughing stock of the league. Looks at what the Seahawks did......Carroll and Schneider came in and create a new culture or how they wanted their players to play, act and be accountable. You play Seahawk football and be a team player or someone else will take your job. I know football has more players but you get the point. They've made something like 400 transactions or something crazy. Seemed to work didn't it?

[knockoutnazzy1999]

Chara dives more than both Sedins have ever done x2.

It doesn't matter if Chara dives more than the Sedins. The Sedins are on OUR team and Chara isn't. Sure they dive but everyone does. Just thank god it isn't as bad as the NBA.