Jim Benning Year in Review Part 1/3 "The offseason"

[MattA16]

I think this off season is going to be a do or die for JB. He can easily stay the course with the core and ride it out until it all falls apart 3 years from now and we enter Toronto Maple Leafs territory, or he can start strategically moving pieces so we have some sort of blueprint going forward. Here's a few things on JB's to do list:

1) The Sedins aren't going anywhere and frankly I think they've played well. Not having burrows on their line last game really hurt, they need someone with a net presence. However, he needs to clear some space on up front for some of the young guys coming in, which might lead to some tough choices:

- Higgins has gotta go, thats probably the most obvious choice. Jansen is great and I love the guy, but you wanna talk about core guys you have to include him in there. We have solid wingers in the system with Virtanen and Baertschi, and heck I hate Linden Vey but theres gotta be some consideration to move him to the wing to relieve him of some FO/Defensive responsibility as he's got the skill and speed to potentially be successful down the road. We want to get younger, faster, and more skilled, sometimes you gotta make some unpopular moves. Jansen is a likeable guy but what are we accomplishing by keeping him in the roster other than suppressing the opportunity for some young guys to come up?

- I don't see him moving Bonino after making the trade for him last summer, and I don't think he's played poorly by any means but he's a depth centre at best. With Horvat looking for an increased role next season, Jared McCann looking real solid, and maybe even Brendan Gaunce coming up, he needs to open up some positions at centre. I think moving Bonino might be a good choice but I don't see it happening.

2) We desperately need some offence from the backend. I repeat, we DESPERATELY need some offence from the backend. I think this is where the toughest decisions come, but we have some defenceman who still have considerable trade value and aren't getting any better.

- Bieksa has got to be one of my all time favourite Canucks, and I love his tenacity and leadership. But his play has fallen off considerably. He provides no offence and frankly his "good game" is not having a bad one. We need to instil some youth into the backend who can provide some offence... unfortunately we don't have the greatest prospect pool in this area, but we need to give the Frankie Corrado's and Ben Hutton's an OPPORTUNITY to come in and make a difference. Defenseman often get quality trade value and I'm sure we could get something for Bieksa from a team who's a piece or two away on the back-end from being successful.

- Dan Hamhuis is a stud defensively but he's only getting older. The fact that we have him on the Powerplay with his 1 goal this season shows the position were in when it comes to the backend. He has the title of olympian on his resume and I bet we could get a decent return for him. We need to be on the lookout for some offensive defenseman this off-season and it could come in the context of a trade, and Hammer may have the most trade value out of anyone.

3) Goaltending. Lack didn't play great last game but don't forget how well he has played in the big picture here. He's 27 which is young for a goaltender and could be a cheaper option going forward until Demko takes over. Miller is great but he's getting older. If we can move him for a younger guy whether it be a winger or a defenceman (or a high draft pick), I don't see why we would keep him around with two years left on his contract at his age.

Obviously all the NTC are gonna make these moves very difficult, but it doesn't mean these moves can't be made. Some of these roster guys I've mentioned are quality players, but its fantasy to think we can make a deep run with this group. JB has to understand that sticking the course is only gonna end up in disaster a few years down the road. This offseason is going to be massive for JB.

[Rush17]

I think this off season is going to be a do or die for JB. He can easily stay the course with the core and ride it out until it all falls apart 3 years from now and we enter Toronto Maple Leafs territory, or he can start strategically moving pieces so we have some sort of blueprint going forward. Here's a few things on JB's to do list:

Removed list to make it shorter.

Benning stated after the trade deadline he wanted to leave the team the way it was to give these players a chance to prove themselves. I think that was a direct message to a big part of the core that this is their chance to prove they belong here. If we faulter I wouldn't be surprsied to be some major changes. Will see what happens. Higgins is not someone I see remaining on this team even in a 3rd line role. I think we need to include more youth in our bottom 6. Keep Burr ditch Higgins if u have to choose.

[HC20.0]

I think Benning's done a fantastic job. Getting rid of Kesler right away was a smart move. He didn't inheret a good team, but he made us good and got us back into the playoffs, even if we're likely gonna get bounced in the first round. Vrbata signing was so badly needed, and getting Dorsett and Bonino were very good acquisitions. People whine all about the Miller signing, but it was badly needed. We needed stability in net, which Miller brought. The only iffy moves have been Vey, who is still an improving rookie, and Sbisa's extension. But overall, I love what he's doing. Don't forget, he personally said there's still a lot of work left to do here. He wasn't building for this season. He's not finished building. I believe in Benning and Linden. If anybody can bring this team back from the dead, those two can. We still have holes, namely a second line and we need to unload vets. But I believe in Jim and Trev!

[HC20.0]

Benning stated after the trade deadline he wanted to leave the team the way it was to give these players a chance to prove themselves. I think that was a direct message to a big part of the core that this is their chance to prove they belong here. If we faulter I wouldn't be surprsied to be some major changes. Will see what happens. Higgins is not someone I see remaining on this team even in a 3rd line role. I think we need to include more youth in our bottom 6. Keep Burr ditch Higgins if u have to choose.

I agree. I think it was his way of saying "K, last chance guys." Some players stepped up too, like Burr and Sbisa even. I think Matthias and Higgins are probably gone though, after their dismal play since the deadline. That's probably why Dorsett was signed instead of Matthias.