TheRussianRocket. Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 http://www.vancouversun.com/touch/story.html?id=10729989VANCOUVER - Ideologically, it is the irresistible force paradox. With the Vancouver Canucks suddenly stalled and unable to score, general manager Jim Benning remains committed to making the National Hockey League playoffs and reiterated Wednesday he will do everything he can to get his team there. But he wont trade a draft pick or prospect for help. So, while the Canucks may need a trade to achieve their playoff goal, Benning is opposed to putting any coveted asset in play. Unstoppable force, meet immovable object. "I talk to other general managers in the league and have a feel for what's going on," Benning said. "But if we decide to do something, we're not giving up future prospects or draft picks. We're going to do everything we can to give this team a chance to compete for a playoff spot and once we get in, try to win. Our focus there hasnt changed but with an eye to the future, too. "We're not going to be moving any more picks." As part of the Ryan Kesler deal, Benning traded the Canucks' 2015 third-round pick for the Anaheim Ducks' third-rounder last June, then used that pick to acquire Derek Dorsett from the New York Rangers. Benning also sent a seventh-round pick with defenceman Jason Garrison to the Tampa Bay Lightning for its second pick, which fetched Linden Vey from the Los Angeles Kings. With only one goal in 15 games, Vey is among the many Canuck forwards who has stopped scoring. The offensive crisis 20 goals over 12 of Vancouver's last 13 games has contributed to a mid-season losing streak that conjures for Canuck fans uncomfortable memories of the team's second-half disintegration last season. As they open the second half of their 82-game schedule later today in Philadelphia against the Flyers, the Canucks have lost three straight while being outscored 9-2. It was at precisely this point last season, Game 42, when the Canucks began their spectacular cliff dive from playoff position under former coach John Tortorella and previous general manager Mike Gillis. The team went 13-24-4 in the second half, costing both men their jobs and owner Francesco Aquilini at least $12 million in salary payouts. From Jan. 10 until March 8 last year, the Canucks went 4-14-1 and scored more than two goals in a game only twice. So, yes, the current Canucks, whose offence still relies too heavily on a power play and aging stars Henrik and Daniel Sedin, have rekindled the sense of impending doom in Vancouver that has permeated, more or less, since the franchise entered the NHL in 1970. "I Understand what you're saying, but I think we have a different dynamic this year than last year," Benning countered. "I think we're playing hard. I think we're getting chances. As long as we're working hard and competing and I think we are we've shown the ability to beat good teams. But we've got to be honest: We're in a tough division and the Western Conference is tough. Every game is a tough game." Benning conceded he is concerned by the Canucks' recent inability to finish, which has dropped their offence to 15th in the NHL from the top-10. Vancouver was 28th in scoring under Tortorella. "That's the thing that I worry about the most our ability to finish off chances," Benning said. "We're playing the right way. We play hard, play a 200-foot game. We work hard enough to get scoring chances, but we need to finish those opportunities off. We got off to a real good start. Whether that was sustainable or not, time kind of evens that out." He said it is "almost impossible" to trade for an established goal-scorer and the only commodity harder to acquire is a top-four defenceman. Benning's trades at the last draft were the start of the Canucks' transition to a younger team, exemplified this season by the incorporation of 19-year-old rookie centre Bo Horvat. Benning said last week that he believes another first-round Canuck pick, 18-year-old Abbotsford winger Jake Virtanen, should challenge for an NHL spot next season. Then why the preoccupation with making the Stanley Cup playoffs this spring? "We have a group of players that, first of all, want to make the playoffs and want to compete for the Stanley Cup," Benning said. "So that's what our goal is. The other thing is to teach and develop our young players, they need to learn what's important and how hard it is to play the right way all the things winning teams do. Our goal is not going to change. Those are the things that are important to us. And we're going to do everything in our power that we can to try to reach those goals." The Canucks' first-half record of 23-15-3 is four points behind Tortorella's team, which had an eight-point playoff cushion at this stage last season but missed the Stanley Cup tournament by the same margin. It's unfathomable that coach Willie Desjardins' Canucks could fully implode the way Tortorella's team did unless there is an injury epidemic. Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Nashville Predators left the Canucks fourth in the Pacific Division and eighth in the conference, and they lead the Calgary Flames in both races by only two points, although Vancouver has played two fewer games. Benning said he knew there would be times the Canucks struggled like this. After spending nearly all of the seasons first half with his team, Benning is on a three-week scouting mission planned long ago. President of hockey operations Trevor Linden will join him on the road next week. "This is not unexpected," Benning said of the Canucks's slump. "If we're working hard and competing and doing the things we're capable of doing, I still believe we can be a playoff team. Going into the season, our expectation and plan was to compete hard every night and get back to competing for a playoff spot, and develop our young players along the way. So far, we've lived up to that." Feels good knowing we have a trustworthy GM running the team who knows hockey as well anybody out there. JB knows we have scoring struggles and acknowledged we play in a tough conference, indirectly stating he won't trade picks/prospects to try and temporarily fix that. Team works hard and they are a middle of the pack team who will make the playoffs if they keep their pace up. Jim is giving the current veterans a fair shot to make the tourney while building for the future as well. ...expect a pretty anti-climatic trade deadline from the Canucks POV in the next few months. Sounds like JB doesn't want to mortgage the future so don't expect us to snatch other teams players away without that. Seems more like Benning is open to doing old fashioned hockey trades than anything so expect that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I'm thinking this is gonna get merged. Anyways, Benning knows EXACTLY what Gilli's did wrong when he got fired. He has nowhere near the idiocy nor the arrogance to repeat those same mistakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wash Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 The only trades I see could be to trade some of our veterans to teams that could use them for legitimate cup runs in exchange for younger players that could step in now, but are not performing up to expectation &/or are not far enough along in their development to be an immediate help to their current team. If we are still in the playoff picture, we won't be sellers, and not much of a buyer either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazzle Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 That means that if this team can't succeed past the playoffs, there will be an easy excuse to trade people out. If people wanted change to this 'stale' core, like most of the posters wanted, you'd definitely get it after this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_314 Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I think we're not in a bad place when it comes to how the team is composed. Sure there have been stalls to their offense (you wouldn't know it from last night), but the offensive potential and balance is definitely there, and the Twins, Burr, Hammer, Edler, Tanev and Miller are a solid (if older) veteran foundation that will give the team at least a fighting chance. The middle-six guys (Higgins, Bones, Burr, Matthias, Hansen, Vey, Kassian, Vrbata, Richie/ Dorsett?) can be a dangerous group when lined up properly, and Edler/ Tanev are still a strong back-end foundation moving forward. Of course our future isn't as bright as some other teams, but I think precisely because of that fact (and with the competitive group we still have) we shouldn't be seeking any overpriced rentals, but should instead build around the vets with blue-chip youth, as Trader Jim has been doing. As well, hopefully they would trade off overvalued but underachieving vets (e.g. Juice, Sbisa) for picks or young players if they don't show signs of rebounding. I'd say the best move would be to trim the roster fat, get cap space and regroup there instead of mortgaging our future, and hope Jim's as good as Gillis when it comes to signing UFA's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2SKATES1STICK Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 i wonder if kassian counts as a prospect anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJDDawg Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I like what I'm hearing from him with respect to the prospects and draft picks, although one could argue that "coveted asset" is wide open to interpretation. I don't like however hearing him say "We're playing the right way. We play hard, play a 200-foot game. We work hard enough to get scoring chances, but we need to finish those opportunities off. We got off to a real good start. Whether that was sustainable or not, time kind of evens that out." Totally don't agree with his view here as while there have been several games the team has played like this, there have been just as many nights, if not more, where they've played their passive perimeter game, not forechecked hard, not gone to the dirty areas, not drawn penalties...etc. Hopefully it's just for media consumption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckNORRIS4Cup Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 i wonder if kassian counts as a prospect anymore If you really think that, then you don't know much about hockey Kassian is trade bait, people need to realize that, then they can move on from their love affair with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Money Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I think we're not in a bad place when it comes to how the team is composed. Sure there have been stalls to their offense (you wouldn't know it from last night), but the offensive potential and balance is definitely there, and the Twins, Burr, Hammer, Edler, Tanev and Miller are a solid (if older) veteran foundation that will give the team at least a fighting chance. The middle-six guys (Higgins, Bones, Burr, Matthias, Hansen, Vey, Kassian, Vrbata, Richie/ Dorsett?) can be a dangerous group when lined up properly, and Edler/ Tanev are still a strong back-end foundation moving forward. Of course our future isn't as bright as some other teams, but I think precisely because of that fact (and with the competitive group we still have) we shouldn't be seeking any overpriced rentals, but should instead build around the vets with blue-chip youth, as Trader Jim has been doing. As well, hopefully they would trade off overvalued but underachieving vets (e.g. Juice, Sbisa) for picks or young players if they don't show signs of rebounding. I'd say the best move would be to trim the roster fat, get cap space and regroup there instead of mortgaging our future, and hope Jim's as good as Gillis when it comes to signing UFA's. Sbisa is one year older than Kassian, and plays a position that generally takes longer for a player to develop. Sounds funny to hear him referred to as a 'vet'. IMO, both are at the point where they better start showing more and improving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derp... Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Just trust Bennings talent evaluation skills. If he's moving anyone it's for someone who will improve the team. Kass is moveable, but your going to picking up another high end prospect or young scoring forward who doesn't fit someone else's team. I like Vey with Bones, and he is developing pretty fast for a rookie. He makes a lot of good plays in the o zone, sets guys up pretty often, and you can see why guys like Toffoli and Pearson did well with him because they can really shoot the puck. I want to see Kass get in a fight. He's just not there emotionally and he needs that fire to really get going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menace Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 This GM will request players to waive their NTC which handcuffed the last GM. I think JB and his management team have a vision and are qualified to team build. I think within two years the Canucks will have stabilized and injected more youth into the lineup as promised. Half the fun is the journey after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stawns Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I like what I'm hearing from him with respect to the prospects and draft picks, although one could argue that "coveted asset" is wide open to interpretation. I don't like however hearing him say "We're playing the right way. We play hard, play a 200-foot game. We work hard enough to get scoring chances, but we need to finish those opportunities off. We got off to a real good start. Whether that was sustainable or not, time kind of evens that out." Totally don't agree with his view here as while there have been several games the team has played like this, there have been just as many nights, if not more, where they've played their passive perimeter game, not forechecked hard, not gone to the dirty areas, not drawn penalties...etc. Hopefully it's just for media consumption. every team goes through spurts of uninspired play and the Canucks had the flu running through the dressing room. If a spurt becomes a longer term trend, then there's cause for concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucker91 Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 The only trades I see could be to trade some of our veterans to teams that could use them for legitimate cup runs in exchange for younger players that could step in now, but are not performing up to expectation &/or are not far enough along in their development to be an immediate help to their current team. If we are still in the playoff picture, we won't be sellers, and not much of a buyer either. I would really like benning to trade bieksa to a team that could use him in playoffs for at least a 3rd and 6th rd pick 2015 or a third and a D prospect. And than call up pedan as the the tough guy presence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stawns Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I would really like benning to trade bieksa to a team that could use him in playoffs for at least a 3rd and 6th rd pick 2015 or a third and a D prospect. And than call up pedan as the the tough guy presence do you know anything about Pedan? His decision making skills are at a Jr level.......he struggles in the AHL and you want him in Van? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchoball Cannons Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I would like to see Kass get a chance to play with guys who can put the puck in the net before they trade him. He is a good play maker, but setting up guys like Richardson and Mathias. I would like to see him get a chance with Bonnino and Vey or even Nick Jensen before the Canucks give up on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchoball Cannons Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 I like what I'm hearing from him with respect to the prospects and draft picks, although one could argue that "coveted asset" is wide open to interpretation. I don't like however hearing him say "We're playing the right way. We play hard, play a 200-foot game. We work hard enough to get scoring chances, but we need to finish those opportunities off. We got off to a real good start. Whether that was sustainable or not, time kind of evens that out." Totally don't agree with his view here as while there have been several games the team has played like this, there have been just as many nights, if not more, where they've played their passive perimeter game, not forechecked hard, not gone to the dirty areas, not drawn penalties...etc. Hopefully it's just for media consumption. Thats why they're 9 games above .500 and in 7th in the conference with 3 games in hand on the 2 teams ahead of the right? Think I'll trust Bennings evaluation over some Lord of the Rings nerd! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaudette Celly Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 "We're not going to be moving any more picks." If only it could be pinned above every trade proposal made here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaudette Celly Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Kassian is trade bait, people need to realize that, then they can move on from their love affair with him. ...and you and your fellow cult members will be sorely disappointed when he does leave, because you will require a new whipping boy to giggle and wet your panties over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucker91 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 do you know anything about Pedan? His decision making skills are at a Jr level.......he struggles in the AHL and you want him in Van? OK maybe I may not be caught up to date on how he plays, u got me there but bieksa has been by far one of our worst Dmen so give corrado a chance to step in. Need to inject youth into the line up anyways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyWalton Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 the Kassian fanclub is in full panic mode I dont know if you will be gloating when he goes elsewhere and turns it on after we give up on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.