I knew it! Benning and Linden are human.... it's long so be warned!

[Moustachio]

Interesting that some people are shitting a brick over Millers contract being 3 years instead of 2. Is that really the difference between Benning being acceptable and a flop? 1 year on a contract before a single game has even been played?

Nothing is set in stone. Benning must have been reasonably happy with the teams in Millers LNTC, so if Lack continues to improve in the backup role over the next couple of years it's entirely possible we trade Miller and Lack takes over the #1 role at the same age Schneider is in NJ.

I'm not blind to the fact there are a number of ways our current goalie situation could end up poorly. There are plenty of hypothetical scenarios to go around - both good and bad... but I can't see how anyone would see it as being clear cut bad. Just got to wait, watch closely and see how things play out, which I imagine is exactly what a good GM would do.

I suppressed my instincts and hung in there to read the entire OP, but in my head all I could hear was those guys who call into Team1040 late at night for a big rant sounding like the world is against them and they're about to cry.

I get it. GMMG was a sexy animal who made great moves but was screwed by circumstance (and the Aquilini's). The thing is though, MG is gone now. He's just plain gone and he isn't coming back. What the hell is the point in talking about him so much? Benning is our GM now and he seems to be a guy with a lifetime of hockey experience and a clear-cut mission. I know everyone has a right to their own opinion and for the most part I enjoy hearing all the different perspectives people have on the team. My personal experience is limited since I only started following hockey in 2007 and only moved from Australia into a Canadian hockey market in 2011... but why is it that so many fans here in Vancouver act as though they are somehow doing the team a service by playing the devils advocate all the time, as if their total of zero influence on the decisions of management is such a powerful weapon that they owe it to the city to keep the brass in line.

See now, I should have just said nothing... but I got drawn in and now I have stooped to their level. Damn you internet!

[BenSurgeon]

Like MG, I say give this new management team a chance. What I see so far is that they have addressed the goal-tending and brought in a proven top 6 forward. On the other hand this is a wash as they lost a top 6 forward. They will have much the same defensive core they had last year and have not addressed the problem with the second line. I am afraid that the Canucks are going to get back into the 70's and 80's rut where they are good enough to just make the playoffs (one and done) but not bad enough to get the high draft picks that a team needs to become a legitimate contender. You will never get your franchise type players if you are continually picking around 10th in the draft. I understand the dilemma that the Canucks need to try and do their best in order to sell season tickets but it is delusional for fans like my self that have watched the team from day one, when after 44 years it has been wait till next year.

[chrisbanks]

Interesting that some people are crapting a brick over Millers contract being 3 years instead of 2. Is that really the difference between Benning being acceptable and a flop? 1 year on a contract before a single game has even been played?

Nothing is set in stone. Benning must have been reasonably happy with the teams in Millers LNTC, so if Lack continues to improve in the backup role over the next couple of years it's entirely possible we trade Miller and Lack takes over the #1 role at the same age Schneider is in NJ.

I'm not blind to the fact there are a number of ways our current goalie situation could end up poorly. There are plenty of hypothetical scenarios to go around - both good and bad... but I can't see how anyone would see it as being clear cut bad. Just got to wait, watch closely and see how things play out, which I imagine is exactly what a good GM would do.

why i see it as clear cut bad is what redwings and chicago have done and a lesser extent LA (although i think quick is a great goalie most on here think its the team in front of him) i would rather put money on the team in front of a young goalie rather than bench the young goalie for a over priced vet and the team in front of both of them are weaker for it. miller couldnt stop a beach ball the last couple of years st louis proved he wasnt even an upgrade on elliott or jake allan who they will probably want to go with.. the young guy... ducks didnt even want hiller or make a play for miller because they want the young guy gibson... most starting goalies in the league got thrown into the fire . goalies who are starter material who are not starters until late 20s have been misused , mismanaged and just had bad luck being stuck behind another #1 goalie....go look at how many games todays starters played before they were named clear cut #1.... the average is a half of a seasons worth of games... same amount Lack has played.. lack outplayed Lu last year both behind an atrocious team... the fact that they threw 6 mill at what wasnt the problem is a terrible move imo. and if lack improves as a back up like in your scenario where we trade miller by then lack will want way more money... this was our time to have cheap good tending that has helped other teams win the cup...

[nuck luck]

 

"I really feel that GMMG was fired prematurely and wished he was given at least 1 more year. At least until after the draft...."

Honestly, I don't care if you are MG's dad, I had to give up on you when I read that.

Your para on waiting for Willie is without foundation and has no basis in sense. Of course you wait to get the guy you want. Then you make sure you get him, that's how you build success.

"I would have preferred GMMG to make this years selection since he hit a homerun with it last year..."

More faulty logic. You say that you like the 6th. As for a home run he gave up an Elite goalie in a mess he created. Not one of his picks are any more likely to succeed at this stage than JB's.

Your whole article could have been cut down to "I liked MG"

Not only is your whole post worrying because you seem to have been oblivious to the goings on over the last 3 years, you seem to be satisfied with where our team was at, the poor performances of some of our players. If your idea of a good player for Kass is Booth then I'm afraid you have had your eyes shut for the last 3 years.

Your 'wtf" tantrum is again without logic.

Miller was one of the top goalies available and has still the potential to be in the top 6 for us. Lack is too young to have him carry the team if we are contending. You seem to be prepared also to treat the fact that JB has had experience of knowing and drafting him as if it was some kind of failing on JB's part. May I remind you we are paying him for his expertise, what's yours?

It seems to me that MG's method of negotiating a "fair contract" was just to give the player what he wants. Booth's contract was horrendous yet he landed us with it and anyone who took the trouble to watch him would have seen he was a one trick pony.

Lu's contract was silly but it might have been fine unless the GM went on to f---k it all up with indecision and disrespect. Oh wait.

 

No...I am not MG's dad.

In reference to your other points, I get what you said about the hiring of WD...I LIKE HIM TOO. Now that you understand that, the point is that it's a risky move to base it on one guy...had WD declined, where would we be? TBH, this bugged me with MG a lot too...yes, it's an important decision to choose the proper coach, but sometimes you need to be more decisive in decisions. It seems like our GM's/Presidents are overly cautious when it comes to making decisions... including MG. Obviously these guys are under more pressure and scrutiny due to the media and fans so I can't compare it to my affairs, but other teams seem to be able to make a decision in a much shorter time span. The same thing with hiring a coach after AV... had MG been a little more decisive than we might not have gone with Torts.

FYI, you do not build a successful business putting all your eggs in one basket and waiting to make the decision until the very end...usually someone will make that decision faster and you end up losing out. Circumstantial do to the Finals....yes, but if you have other options that are equally good and proven, than sometimes you need to compromise and take the other option.

That was the only point...I LIKE WD, it was just a risky move.

The goalie situation, I am sick and tired of people putting the blame on GMMG....the only area where he might be at fault was being indecisive and wanting what should be a better deal for the Canucks. AV was the one who pissed off Lou (so much so, that he stated, in front of the media, that he wanted to be traded)... how is MG blamed for AV's choice to play Schneids instead of Lou? There wasn't a goalie issue...it was goal scoring, but AV was trying to save his own hide and thought that going with Schneids might right the ship. He was wrong...we lost the series and at that moment....we lost Lou. Since the offers weren't there he had to salvage the situation and picked up Bo...I liked this move and thought it was best for the organization because we still had Lack. Speaking of Lack....Torts forced GMMG's hand by deciding to play Lack instead of Lou for the outdoors game. That was the final straw for Lou and he wanted out... he thought it was disrespectful and so did many other Canuck fans.

However, you still blame GMMG? In my eyes, and you obviously don't care so I know I won't offend you, you lose credibility here and are only able to regurgitate thoughts that the masses spew out instead of looking at the scenario and making a judgement for yourself.

In regards to the picks success, I'm not saying that I hated B & L's choices....I liked them, but I just thought they were redundant. But, that's just my opinion and I have to trust that B, L & WD know what they're doing... I had thought it through a little more and I guess it would depend on their ideas for the future... one possibility I came up with was to go for quantity over quality. Build up a large group of mid-line players that have a better chance to make the NHL, and trade up for skilled players in the future.

However, I will gladly take any bet you have to offer that more players from last year's draft will make the NHL than this year's draft....

"Miller WAS one of the top goalies" You are exactly right here! He "WAS" one of the better goalies, but I never considered him one of the top....BUT in the last 4 years he was ho-hum. The guy was in decline and he just got booted from an early round series. Think about that for a second.... don't think far back, no need to strain yourself, but a little more recently, say 4 years or even 4 months.

I am not opposed to Miller coming here, but at the right price and with a NTC so we could possibly trade him at the TD if needed....AND I am completely against giving this kind of contract as a first offer! If you feel that's smart negotiating than good for you... hope you fair well with your business deals.

Lastly, WTF have you been doing last season? Did you not see Kass and Booth play together? Who gives a Fu@k about the years prior since Booth got hit with injuries....last year they played well together and had good chemistry. Kass is still young so I am all up for giving the kid a line mate that he's comfortable playing with....just so he can build his own.

Now, we bought out Booth and gained cap space, to blow on an aging Miller. And we picked up Vey, Bonino or someone else to play with Kass.....hoping that they have chemistry. No one knows for sure until they start playing... BTW, in case you weren't sure, we needed to trade a pick or player to bring in Booth's replacement. And if it was Vey, than we missed out on a top grade Dman who has possesses all the skills....

If they plan to play Kass on the top 2 lines than fine...but I hope that WD is on the same page because he's the one who dictates who plays and where, AV and Torts already showed us that.

Booth only had a year left....we had the cap space so his salary wasn't an issue. We could have had more draft picks and be given the option to play one of our prospects and give them a taste of the NHL.

Do you think this team would be better off with a high-quality Dman prospect, quality forward or none?

The Booth trade was fair...actually I think we came out on top. The only issue was injuries...but fans like you like to blame GMMG for everything, so I guess it isn't a far reach to blame GMMG for the cheap shots by the opposing team.

[nuck luck]

 

In the end, with the amount of cap space Benning created, why does it matter what they paid him? It didn't take from anyone else and it didn't mean someone had to go because of it. I would have preferred two years, but three years isn't much of a speed bump. If he plays well and Eddie is able to develop without the crushing pressure of this market, it was more than worth it. If he doesn't perform and Eddie outplays him, it's not a 12 year, full NMC contract.

 

Your first sentence is key! That's the problem I see all the time with new and young entrepreneurs... GM's do the same. You get a lot of funding for your project and instead of using the money smartly, you begin to overspend because you think "we got plenty now"....later, you regret the overspending because that extra money could be used elsewhere for more dire needs. After signing Miller, our own players, new players contracts...we'll have less than a million, if that.

I would be a lot more comfortable bringing in 2 forwards to play on the top 2 lines or 1 forward and a puck moving Dman. We can't afford that now...

I am not all doom and gloom with what we have and Yes!, I am willing to wait for the season to start and see the outcome...all the changes might bring about a winning culture. But at the moment, I cannot say that we spent our money wisely.

[nuck luck]

 

I too was a Gillis supporter (in fact I support the Canucks no matter who is steering the ship). But to assess GMMG's tenure here I'd have to say, started out good, then average, then poor, then out. To win within a budget you need to create an atmosphere where players both can and want to over-achieve. In the beginning those goals were accomplished. But towards the end we were definitely under-achieving, partly due to Torts, but partly due to GMMG...now they're both gone. Coach Willie (I feel dirty every time I say that) has a history (very recent history) of being able to get the most out of players. No team in the NHL has it all...you have to fill holes and draw the most out of the players in those situations. But one thing you CANNOT win without is solid goaltending. Benning fixed that problem. Now we can focus on motivating the rest of the players back to pre-last season's form. Last year was an anomaly...let's discard it and move on. Will we win the Cup this year? Doubt it. Will we be as bad as last year? Doubt it. I suspect we will either land the #3 spot in PAC or fight for WC spot 7-8.

This process of recovery from last year has little to do with the players here, and more to do with culture. The brass recognized that and needed to change it quickly. You've seen from this year's F/A frenzy that we can't get every player we talk to. One thing you mentioned was Hiller over Miller. If you don't think for a second that the possibility of including the rights to Hiller were discussed in the Kesler deal then you're bonkers. Of course it was discussed. Chances are Hiller didn't want to come to Vancouver unless we overpaid for him. We were going to overpay for a goalie no matter what, be it Hiller, Miller, Bryz, Brodeur or Vokoun. Lack is not ready. We may have sacrificed some cap space to sign a top goalscorer (Vanek), but at the end of the day WINS gets you to the dance, not GF's. I'd rather WIN games 3-2 than lose them 5-4.

But again the point of all that Aquaweenie is trying to do is right his ship, create a winning culture again. Players like the twins, Kesler, Burrows, Edler and Lu do not respond well to being yelled at to motivate them...last year proved that. So enter Linden (calm exec), Benning (calm GM) and Willie (calm coach). All these men are consummate professionals. And are probably just the specialists needed to calm down our dressing room AND our fanbase. I personally think it's a step forward.

As for drafting, well you ALWAYS have to wait and see. We've got future first line potential pieces in Kassian, Jensen and Shinkaruk (he could be that explosive breakout player that you speak of)...what we're missing is a future 1st line C. We traded away our future 1C (COHO) because he didn't want to be here, we didn't get MacKinnon, we tried to get Sammy R but couldn't so that leaves Connor. Don't get me wrong, I think he's going to be a good player, but he'll be a far cry from Nathan Mac or Sammy R. So that leaves us shopping in about 2-3 years for a 24-28 yr old to carry that torch for half a dozen seasons. We have time. No reason to consider all is lost or TL and JB as failures because we have as of yet not filled that particular hole. Who knows what seemingly minor deal will produce that future 1C? If I recall wasn't Chevy willing to trade his entire team away? Is there a Scheifele deal in our future?

Let's not give GMMG more due than he's deserved. He did OK then not so OK hence the reason he's gone. But let's all collectively look forward, not backward. The future lies in a positive winning culture moving forward, not in a complain/blame-fest looking back.

 

Nice reply... your assessment of GMMG tenure is quite short, but effective nonetheless. However, I don't think it really could be summed up as simply as that. I put a heavier emphasis on Torts and the owners, but I'd prefer not to get into it all again, so lets leave it at that.

I am fully on board with WD (I feel the same with calling him Coach Willie)...

I disagree with your assumption of Miller... I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see this as an improvement. This, to me, at best, is a lateral move....I could be wrong who knows? but you cannot tell me that you feel 100% that Miller will breakout after 4 years of decline while aging.

I think WD's style and his ability to get the most out of his players will be the difference for the Canucks... I think he will get the most out of our guys who play up front and I honestly think that Lack will outperform Miller. Seriously, he played pretty good for his 1st year as a starter and on top of that, he had to play an exaggerated amount of games over the season... he still ended up with good numbers. With more rest and experience, I believe he'll do better this year...

I'm not even sure we'll make the Playoffs and I don't expect to....if it happens than great! But, I've been patient for decades so another season or two won't effect me The only thing I care about is that the team comes out and plays hard and gives it their all.... I've posted this plenty of times before. One thing I'm not sure about....and I would appreciate it if you or anyone else could enlighten me, what style does WD like to play after he gets a lead? I hated AV's idea of protecting the lead...

I'm ok with Miller...lateral move, but not ok at how he was signed. I just can't get over that the agreement was our first offer and it was the only offer. Like I said, if he was a bonafide top end goalie than sign him....but he's aging and in decline. We're gonna have to disagree on this one.

However, I will agree with you on B, L & WD. Since GMMG was let go, I like the replacements and I like who they picked as coach... but, GMMG had to earn my support and if B & L do the same....CDC better back off before they bad mouth them Really, in the end, I'm a Canadian and I love Canada....but the PM has to earn my support and I feel the same with this team. I'm a Nuck fan and I love this team....but B & L have to earn my support too. Until, that happens....I think it's imperative that we question things.

Drafting, I'm ok with choices. I know that time is the only answer....I'm just questioning if there were better options...choices.

Thanks for putting some thought into your perspective without the snide comments

[amitriptyline]

Some of you people really need to chill the eff out. Benning just got started and he's doing a great job so far of overhauling the team. The Vrbata signing is great, and we have a proven veteran goalie now too. The team is getting much younger too and if we get another scoring forward and some of the prospects like Horvat are ready this year, things are gonna be looking pretty good. I have high hopes for Desjardins as well. This team is headed in the right direction.

[nuck luck]

My 2 cents-

1- Gillis. Did a decent job. All Gm's are going to have their successes and failures, especially in hindsight. Fact is, he was at the helm for one of the worst seasons in our history and he paid the price for it. You can dress it up how you want and appropriate blame where you see fit, but he owned a share in the culpability for last season. The first couple of years in his tenure as GM of the Canucks was pretty good though.

2-Coach Willy. You are working under the assumption that they had all of their eggs in one basket and could have been left out in the cold. Trevor interviewed multiple candidates and waited until Willy had his turn until pulling the trigger. That's not putting the franchise up poop creek, that's effective and thoughtful management. Don't forget Willy's relationship with Trevor, I'm sure this was a done deal shortly after Trevor got the job.

3-Draft. Lots of guesswork there. Like an A-hole, everybody has an opinion on who they wanted our GM (a second generation scout with decade + of experience) to pick. However, to pass judgement on the 2014 draft now is like a four-year premature ejaculation. And I would say the success of last years draft had more to do with the installation of Eric Crawford than Gillis. But credit to Gillis for putting him in the role.

4-Booth / Buyout. I don't know what team you and a few others were watching last year but Booth was not the reason for Kassian's progression last year. In fact I thought Kass looked better with Mathias and Richardson. Credit to Booth for getting his health back, but the guy has hands of stone and it was a waste of Kassian's good passing to have him on the line. Best move Benning has made so far IMHO, guy seemed like a fruit loop too.

5-Trades. Garrison was a liability, Kes wanted out and tied our hands. Not much more Benning could have done in my opinion.

6-RFA's. I agree we overpaid on Miller's contract but term is agreeable. Fingers crossed he plays lights out for the next 1-2 years and we can trade him at the deadline for a high draft pick. We needed a 1A keeper though, and frankly I don't really care that we paid more for him than Hiller, he's won a Vezina and it's Aqua's money- not ours.

Fair enough...

This is a different business, so you can't expect the same atmosphere. In my business, I put blame on who's at fault and I don't want to discuss scapegoats... onus is on whoever is at fault. NHL is different and I understand that....but I don't have to be happy about it

WD - No one can say for sure how it went down....but from an outside perspective, it seems like B & L had their sights set and wanted to gamble. I'm pretty sure that WD would have had his plate full for the Playoffs and the run up to it... not sure if he'd be discussing contracts and possible moves during this time.

Drafts - C'mon....everyone seems to think I'm against the picks. I'm fine with them...just not great. And every fan including yourself and I are always analyzing and passing judgements on all Canucks picks every year... as a fan, we can't stop. Now, I'm not saying that my picks would have panned out....I was just hoping for more skill and top-end potential in some picks and not just size or redundant players.

Buyout - I'll go with you on the breakfast meal.... but we only had 1 year left with his contract. I prefer we kept the pick... And yes, Booth is not a sniper...but he filled his role fine last year.

Trades - His hands were tied with the Kes situation...but Garrison? I honestly thought that he could have got more....especially at the TD. Not opposed to the trade...just the return.

RFA's - I just don't think we improved with him....and I hope I'm wrong. If Lack does outperform this guy, we've got 6 million riding the pine again and when Lack is ready to negotiate his new contract, it seems like 6 million is the starting figure.... Don't like Millers contract at all.

[nuck luck]

I didn't mind MG while he was here and have never trashed him. He brought in some good players (Hamhuis, Kassian, Matthias, Richardson, Tanev, Higgins, Santorelli, Erhoff, Torres, Malhottra, Samuelson, etc. and added some decent draft picks/college guys.

I do not blame him for injuries (Malhotra, Booth, Mitchell, D.Sedin, Bur, etc).

I do not blame him for the increased salary cap last season.

I do not blame him for the cheesy NHL messing with a contract already agreed/signed on (LU). I still don't get that the team and fans are not outraged by this.

I didn't like how MG over-estimated Lu's value, which ultimately hurt the team in more ways than just the final trade.

I didn't like it when MG dissed Hodgson in public. Just seemed tacky to me.

I didn't like it when MG hired Torts (although I still wonder about that one).

I didn't like that MG came across as arrogant and aloof.

I didn't like all the NMC/NTCs he allowed. I think it created a complacency on this team.

Who knows what MG would have done if he had been given one more year as GM. I have a sense that the core would be the same and that he may have over-valued Kesler; which would result in Kes trade rumours throughout the summer and onwards. It's impossible to say who he would have picked in the draft or UFA.

Benning comes across as less complex; more straight forward and confident. One gets the sense that he has a clear vision of what he wants for the team and then goes out and gets it. While Benning has stated that it will take 2-4yrs for the team to become a contender and isn't afraid to make bold changes; MG seemed content to make slight adjustments to the established core. He said time and again that he would not ask a player to waive their NTC.

The hiring of WD seemed very calculated; Benning knows that he will be bringing in younger players over the next 2/3yrs and wants a coach that can support their continued development.

I guess what I'm saying, is that it seems that hockey is Benning's life and he is hugely driven to create success in this life. For MG, I think being a GM was a great challenge, which he met with some successful hockey. For Benning, it is a lifelong passion that will only find success in winning the cup with a team he built himself.

I really do think that Benning will not stop until he finds all the pieces he needs to put this team back in contention. Of course he will make some mistakes, but given time, I suspect the fans will be pleasantly surprised.

I read your full post and thanks for posting.... I expect others to not agree with my thoughts and I like to hear other perspectives... I am not sure on the over-estimating on Lou's value as I think that he honestly thought he should get more (probably would have if other GM's didn't detest him so) and I have to admit that I thought he could have too. Maybe I valued Lou's play more than some others? Who knows..

But I agree with you on the Hodgson thing and his arrogance.... the latter definitely effected his abilities to trade which is a HUGE part of GMing a NHL team. As for Torts, I don't think he wanted this hire and the Canucks were on par with other teams with NTCs....

I would have liked to have seen what GMMG would have done with another year and his choice of coaches... basically, we are in a similar situation prior to MG's hiring and he has shown that he knows how to put the team on the right track to get to the Playoffs. But, we will never know so I am also good with B & L!

WD - I like him as a person (from what I've read on him) and I like him as a coach....I've got nothing to complain with WD. Just a risky move to wait so long on one guy....when you have other good options. It panned out...so all's well.

I'm on board with your last paragraph or two... I think B & L will pan out and I'm hoping to grow more white hairs watching them in the Playoffs!

[nuck luck]

Could your example be more stupid?

I guess at the end of the day it really doesn't matter. Thank god your failure of a GM is gone. I cannot even imagine how much worse we would be right now if he was given one more year. Would he have gotten that package or anything better for Kesler? Not in a million years because he would not have the stones to trade him to a division rival and would have sat on him for another year or two waiting for Kesler to just accept that he should be a Canuck or expand his list of teams. Or he would have traded him for the 10th overall pick if he did trade him.

Benning got a player rated around top 15 at 24. So did he need to "win" the trade to get what he wanted out of the deal? Nope. And that is what good GM's do. They put their ego aside and take calculated risks.

Gillis biggest liability is his ego. Benning doesn't seem to have an ego. He just has a vision that is about the team not about making himself look good (which Gillis failed at anyway).

Look at the question I was replying to.....if you want to talk about stupid. On that note, how stupid does your response look? Childish...

You're not talking to some pre-pubescent toddler of like mind... you think this will get under my skin?? grow up...I'm done with you.

If you want to be treated like an adult than understand what your argument is and read up...however, the comprehension part seems to be in question. There is no argument here about B & L...I have stated that I support them, but I do it with caution. And yes! I liked GMMG....and yes, he had his faults like all everyone else, but I have moved on and accepted the replacements.

Go rant on someone else... but I do enjoy the banter, occasionally

[spook007]

I thought Lack was good enough to earn a spot, I though signing Santorelli was a no-brainer, I didn't expect the Garrison trade to be so one-sided..... So lots of not so pleasant surprises for me so far. Doesn't mean I'm not curious to see how it works out.

Seems to be me the forward group is weaker, the D pretty much the same and the only area improved is in net.

Necessary trades aside, I feel they should have kept the old team including Garrison and Santorelli, Lack as starter and tested the waters with the new coach first.

Really do not like the way they handled the Garrison trade, Santorelli non-signing and signing of Miller as a sign of no confidence in Lack, Markstrom, Eriksson right from the get go. Kind of comes across as cold IMO.

Cold??? Bennings own future/reputation as a GM is on the line as well... After all the talk about being competitive, he would would be foolish to put his plans in the hand of a rookie keeper only. Lack will get through without a doubt, but first the foundation of a new team will be laid. Didn't do Schneider any harm to be back up for 2-3 seasons...

[alfstonker]

"My personal experience is limited since I only started following hockey in 2007 and only moved from Australia into a Canadian hockey market in 2011... but why is it that so many fans here in Vancouver act as though they are somehow doing the team a service by playing the devils advocate all the time, as if their total of zero influence on the decisions of management is such a powerful weapon that they owe it to the city to keep the brass in line.

See now, I should have just said nothing... but I got drawn in and now I have stooped to their level. Damn you internet!"

Don't sweat it. These things need to be said, they are so true in relation to Vancouver (maybe other places too) but it won't make any difference to CDC. This place has always wreaked of "self entitlement and hypocrisy" it's their stock in trade.

[ABNuck]

NUCK LUCK: (Sorry my quotes button doesn't work)...I too hope you're wrong about Miller, hence my comment that we were going to overpay, but I did say we were going to overpay no matter who we got. My #1 hands down choice to overpay for was definitely Hiller not Miller. I remember actually getting a little bit angry that it was Miller not Hiller. Then we signed E.T. and I was a bit appeased. But then we let Santo walk (AND TO THE LEAFS!!!...shouldn't it be LEAVES?). Anyways, to answer your question about WD...he is also a protect the lead type coach (as evidenced by the WJHC and his work with the Tiggers...sorry I'm a Rebels fan...gotta hate on the Tiggers), but he appears to be a little more aggressive in his protection methods. Remember back when the Nucks would bottle teams up in their own end for minutes at a time? I see more of the same type of tactics in our future...use the forechecking of Hansen, Burrows, Bonino and Kassian as well as solid hold the line D play to be a more aggressive approach to protecting the lead. Also, my one complaint about AV was how he WOULD NOT adapt late in game...I see Willie as a little swifter at adapting to protect a lead, dare I say even taking a time-out when needed (this was absolutely FORBIDDEN under AV).

[hlinkas wrister]

NUCK LUCK: (Sorry my quotes button doesn't work)...I too hope you're wrong about Miller, hence my comment that we were going to overpay, but I did say we were going to overpay no matter who we got. My #1 hands down choice to overpay for was definitely Hiller not Miller. I remember actually getting a little bit angry that it was Miller not Hiller. Then we signed E.T. and I was a bit appeased. But then we let Santo walk (AND TO THE LEAFS!!!...shouldn't it be LEAVES?). Anyways, to answer your question about WD...he is also a protect the lead type coach (as evidenced by the WJHC and his work with the Tiggers...sorry I'm a Rebels fan...gotta hate on the Tiggers), but he appears to be a little more aggressive in his protection methods. Remember back when the Nucks would bottle teams up in their own end for minutes at a time? I see more of the same type of tactics in our future...use the forechecking of Hansen, Burrows, Bonino and Kassian as well as solid hold the line D play to be a more aggressive approach to protecting the lead. Also, my one complaint about AV was how he WOULD NOT adapt late in game...I see Willie as a little swifter at adapting to protect a lead, dare I say even taking a time-out when needed (this was absolutely FORBIDDEN under AV).

Sorry to hear about your hate-on for the tigers, lol, I live in Edmonton but as a displaced B.C. boy I'm pretty ambivalent about the AB junior teams. I hear you about signing Miller instead of Hiller, especially after seeing him sign for such a short term in Calgary. At the end of the day though we signed a goalie who won the Vezina four years ago to a 3 year deal, and from what I've seen so far out of Jim Benning if things don't work out I'm sure he will be decisive enough to make a change if needed.

[Li'l Fra]

Gillis did fairly well. But the overall rate of attrition on his watch led to his firing.

He should have traded Schneider in 2011; he didn't and it led to the HUGE goaltending controversy. Luongo was starting his ginormous contract. That mess could have been avoided.

He didn't make any friends by firing off an offer sheet his first day on the job. In the end his lack of any kind of relationship with most of the other GMs left Gillis on the outside looking in too often.

[RU SERIOUS]

Fact is - we found ourselves (post season) with an aging, stale and slow team without any experienced goalies, an overly hormonal/emotional coach and an empty cupboard on the farm (I can almost hear the crickets) and a management out of ideas - with fan interest in decline following one of the most painful seasons to watch in 15 years.......and the author supports Gillis? Holy Cr^p!

[TimberWolf]

If some of you don't like people criticizing the team the trick is to not counter with elitism.

I want the team to succeed and win a cup but some of these elitists posts makes that devil inside want the team to fail just because the elitists are too noisy. (it's a small devil, but there nonetheless)

Instead, maybe take a cue from this poster:

I will go as far to say that Gillis did ok. But the problem was that he couldn't adapt or couldn't right the wrong. But that is as far as i will go when i criticize him. Failure is in a lot of ways not accurate. He did some good things but mishandle others. Towards the end of the season, Gillis was let go and i felt in some ways it was the right decision. There was this sense that he had the opportunity but couldn't and maybe a change was needed.

Great post. Gets the point across and a point of view without resorting to personal attacks or elitist nonsense. This is a board for all Canucks fans. Not everyone is going to agree or have the same patience. Not everyone gets as excited just because a few changes happened.

[stawns]

I will go as far to say that Gillis did ok. But the problem was that he couldn't adapt or couldn't right the wrong. But that is as far as i will go when i criticize him. Failure is in a lot of ways not accurate. He did some good things but mishandle others. Towards the end of the season, Gillis was let go and i felt in some ways it was the right decision. There was this sense that he had the opportunity but couldn't and maybe a change was needed.

I hated MG from day 1 and many of the things I feared came to fruition. However, he did make some moves that helped the club in the present and the future. That said, he should have been gone at least a year earlier.

[Baggins]

Lastly, WTF have you been doing last season? Did you not see Kass and Booth play together? Who gives a Fu@k about the years prior since Booth got hit with injuries....last year they played well together and had good chemistry. Kass is still young so I am all up for giving the kid a line mate that he's comfortable playing with....just so he can build his own.

Now, we bought out Booth and gained cap space, to blow on an aging Miller. And we picked up Vey, Bonino or someone else to play with Kass.....hoping that they have chemistry. No one knows for sure until they start playing... BTW, in case you weren't sure, we needed to trade a pick or player to bring in Booth's replacement. And if it was Vey, than we missed out on a top grade Dman who has possesses all the skills....

If they plan to play Kass on the top 2 lines than fine...but I hope that WD is on the same page because he's the one who dictates who plays and where, AV and Torts already showed us that.

Booth only had a year left....we had the cap space so his salary wasn't an issue. We could have had more draft picks and be given the option to play one of our prospects and give them a taste of the NHL.

Do you think this team would be better off with a high-quality Dman prospect, quality forward or none?

The Booth trade was fair...actually I think we came out on top. The only issue was injuries...but fans like you like to blame GMMG for everything, so I guess it isn't a far reach to blame GMMG for the cheap shots by the opposing team.

It's really nice you were satisfied with Booth's 19 points in 66 games, but it doesn't live up to his cap hit at all. Buying Booth out allowed the cap space to pursue Iginla and settle for Vrbata. That's where I see the Booth money going. Taken from a forward to give to a forward. It wouldn't have bothered me had he played out the contract, but if ownership was willing to blow off those bucks, an upgrade at forward was my preference. I'm glad Aquilini was willing to buck up in this case.

Trading Garrison and Kesler, a d-man and a forward, for draft picks, a d-man and a forward (Garrison and Keslers replacements) at much lower cap hits allowed the cap space to sign a quality goalie.

Although I understand why MG made the trade for Booth, and it initially looked good, it was ultimately a failure. Just as the Grabner/Ballard deal made sense, but that was an utter failure from day one. There's nobody to blame for failed trades but the GM. Even if they did make sense at the time, a failure is a failure.

[Puck'nAnimal]

My perspective:

Coaching appointment = love it.

6th overall pick = love it.

24th overall pick = love it.

36th overall pick = love it.

66th overall pick = love it.

Other picks = who knows. It's a crap shoot.

Miller signing = love it. He's an excellent goalie.

I am 100% behind Trevor Linden, Jim Benning and Willie Desjardins. 100%.

now tell me how you like the Vrbata signing? Me personally, I love it.