Some Prep Needed For Jim Benning

[Seeker1]

Okay, Jim Benning, time to get PRO-ACTIVE, You have some key re-signings:-Thatcher Demko, Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes,  Ian Clark, Head coach Green, Etc. but also, perhaps, some highly rated college players?

 

 That big prize is North Dakota defenseman Matt Kiersted, a senior with the Fighting Hawks who has put up 20 points in 26 games this season and has scouts very intrigued thanks to his elite skating and his progression through four years in Grand Forks. Kiersted played in the USHL for the Chicago Steel before arriving at North Dakota and didn't do enough in his initial 2016 draft year to warrant a draft pick. His next season was marred by a knee injury, followed by his first year in college - and finding himself on a loaded North Dakota roster was a bit intimidating.

Four more intriguing names to keep in mind.

Jordan Kawaguchi, LW, North Dakota: Kiersted's teammate was one of the top potential free agents last year, but he wanted to win a title and the pandemic robbed him of the chance. Kawaguchi's offensive numbers are down this year, but his game has continued to round out and scouts like how he has embraced his leadership role on the Fighting Hawks.

Marc McLaughlin, C, Boston College: The Eagles also have a very good shot at winning the national title, which will only give more opportunities for McLaughlin to show off the 200-foot game he honed in college. Before Boston College, McLaughlin played in the USHL for a Cedar Rapids team that struggled mightily at the time. His numbers weren't any better as an NCAA freshman, but as a junior this year, McLaughlin has a been a point-per-gamer. He's not flashy, but he is reliable.

Odeen Tufto, C, Quinnipiac: Things have gotten a lot better in recent years, but there is still a size bias in the NHL and Tufto's 5-foot-7, 175-pound frame has to be acknowledged as a factor in his NHL projection. Having said that, Tufto has been a dominant scorer for the Bobcats in all four of his seasons. He has put up 165 points in 137 NCAA games with Quinnipiac and been more than a point-per-gamer every year. A crafty playmaker, Tufto needs a scoring role in order to be effective at the NHL level.  

Trevin Kozlowski, G, Army: It's not often I get to give Atlantic Hockey some love, but I'm happy to do it. This year's goalie crop is a bit of a mess because you have some small netminders with great teams in front of them and then just a lot of names in general to consider. Kozlowski is intriguing because he has NHL size at 6-foot-4 and has been a real difference-maker for Army this season, often putting the team on his back. He plays a puck-blocking style and has the Black Knights hot heading into the conference semifinal.

 

Link

Edited March 19, 2021 by Seeker1
More info. from another site.

[Angry Goose]

You're trying to tell me JB who not only is a good scout, has developed a very good scouting department, and has a history signing quality college FAs (or at least pursues/knows what's going on) needs YOU to prep him?

[Fanuck]

To my recollection, Vesey was also an NCAA 'highly prized' free agent.  His college numbers were as good or better than any of these guys, now he's essentially an NHL journeyman and possibly AHL player were it not for the pandemic.  

[BCNate]

4 minutes ago, Fanuck said:

To my recollection, Vesey was also an NCAA 'highly prized' free agent.  His college numbers were as good or better than any of these guys, now he's essentially an NHL journeyman and possibly AHL player were it not for the pandemic.  

 

Lots of quality players some out of NCAA as UFA's.  Tanev and Setcher are two recent ones we've had.  Most flop, but a free lotto ticket is never a bad thing.  

 

Vesey was a little different in that he was drafted by Nashville, chose not to sign, then went to NYR as a UFA.  Not many guys go that route.  Adam Fox was headed that direction.

[NewbieCanuckFan]

Jim Benning is like Batman.  With sufficient 'prep time' he can take down Superman or even Darkseid.

[drummer4now]

It wasn't so long ago that it was "In Gillis we Trust" 

 

I give CDC's praise and patience on Benning another two years; before the customary fire chants are the overwhelming majority.

 

If the Canucks don't reach the Stanley Cup Finals then Benning will be another Nonis or Burkie.. 

Edited March 19, 2021 by drummer4now

[CanuckleHorse]

1 hour ago, drummer4now said:

It wasn't so long ago that was "In Gillis we Trust" 

 

I give CDC's praise and patience on Benning another two years; before the customary fire chants are the overwhelming majority.

 

If the Canucks don't reach the Stanley Cup Finals then Benning will be another Nonis or Burkie.. 

I doubt you know what you are talking about just here to spout off we the REAL fans love Benning it’s idiots who don’t even like the Canucks that come here and mouth off!

[Davathor]

Ok

[Davathor]

3 minutes ago, CanuckleHorse said:

I doubt you know what you are talking about just here to spout off we the REAL fans love Benning it’s idiots who don’t even like the Canucks that come here and mouth off!

 

Case and point

[CanuckleHorse]

2 minutes ago, Davathor said:

 

Case and point

Get a new hobby!

[Quantum]

Kawaguchi would be an excellent pick up. He's a BC kid, from Abbotsford. And he seems like he'd be a really great fit on the third line as a middle six forward with offensive upside. Bring him home Jim! Also, I think getting a couple of players with South Asian and Asian decent into the lineup would be great for this club and its fans. I suspect when Jett Woo becomes a Canucks regular, he'll be a fan favorite. I still remember some of my buddies being bummed out that Prab Rai didn't ever make it to the NHL.

 

I also really like Odeen Tufto. He's a little small but he's put up great numbers in the NCAA. Under the radar signing if he's scooped up. I've been wanting the Canucks to make a run at Odeen for the last couple of years. He should have a good NHL career. I assume that if the Canucks sign Tufto that means they're out on Kawaguchi or visa versa.

 

Trevin Kozlowski probably doesn't sign here. Canucks do have a lot of great young goalie depth in Mikey Dipetro and Arturs Silovs and they'll need time. Jake Kielly is also hanging around. Trevin probably replaces Jake but I can see how the Canucks aren't the most appealing place for an NCAA free agent goalie since the pipeline is deep with Dipetro and Silovs.  Trevin is a California born goalie so I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up in the Sharks, Kings, or Ducks system.

 

I've always liked Johnny Walker from Arizona State. He is an Arizona guy so I suspect he signs with the Coyotes but he's a feisty player who's bigger and puts up goals. Slowed down this past year but James Sanchez could be a decent pickup too. I know he's signed to a PTO with Hartford right now, so he's on the Rangers radar but could be a sly signing though I do like Johnny Walker way more as an overall player over Sanchez.

[Convincing John]

Matt Kiersted Is a lefty, we have enough LHD to dress 2 teams. 

[JM_]

Kawaguchi might be an interesting guy to pick up, hometown kid an all that. 

[Sbriggs]

4 hours ago, Angry Goose said:

You're trying to tell me JB who not only is a good scout, has developed a very good scouting department, and has a history signing quality college FAs (or at least pursues/knows what's going on) needs YOU to prep him?

Yup, everyone ones an expert and future GM God

[Phil_314]

I hope we make a run at Marc McLaughlin, he might be what we need moving forward:
- 6', 210 lbs. RH center
-  point/ game at Boston College (good balance of goals and assists)
- 2020/ 21 NCAA Hockey East Best Defensive Forward

- 50+% faceoff success rate in both his years so far

- named captain as a sophomore (not sure if that's common)
- touted for having a "physical and complete game"

If anything he could be an ELC version of Sutter with more balance

Edited March 19, 2021 by Phil_314

[SilentSam]

5 hours ago, Angry Goose said:

You're trying to tell me JB who not only is a good scout, has developed a very good scouting department, and has a history signing quality college FAs (or at least pursues/knows what's going on) needs YOU to prep him?

And to add ;

 

 

 

[runtzguy]

JB needs to be fired

[CoquitlamDave]

I think OP is more saying "hey look at those possibilities" and not "benning is a hoser eh"  

 

I myself like most Canucks. Players mostly.  Seat ushers.  GMs.   Coaches.  Ticket and security personal.  Players.  (local original land inhabitants) Canadians in general. 

If you think we should fire Benning off of one or two moves where he was handcuffed, you are shortsighted.  If you think you could do better, time to apply for the Surry Eagles GM position, they are in a similar re-tooling.  Everyone has to pay thur dues. Cheered for canucks since i rolled down the blue section in the pacific colosseum around 1986 (i was 6 standing on a seat with pops telling me to sit down).  Stan Smyl was the 604s Wayne gretzkey and the reason why i have a Lemieux jersey (couldn't et a smyl one in foot locker in Lougheed mall that year)

lol --> Thanks for letting me rant.  Or chat.  waiting for kids to sleep.  

[WeneedLumme]

14 hours ago, Davathor said:

 

Case and point

I understand that you are trying very hard to appear clever. For future reference, the phrase is "case in point". Good try though.

[Davathor]

2 hours ago, WeneedLumme said:

I understand that you are trying very hard to appear clever. For future reference, the phrase is "case in point". Good try though.

How about this phrase - get a life