Craig Button might not have been the greatest GM in the world with Calgary, but at least he didn't draft Logan Mailloux and I agree with 90% of what he said here. The Canucks got Theo Fleury 2.0 in Garland and 86ed those 3 terrible contracts, so even if OEL is a 2nd pairing D-man at worst for the next 4 years, it's still a great deal. If Benning can get something decent for Schmidt and Holtby, cap space being the main thing so they can at least make a trade or sign one or two more guys, like a 4th line centre and a Hamonic type, they're looking markedly better for the next 4 years. Having a 4 year Cup plan as a GM isn't a bad thing. If everyone fits under the cap, and they will after the Virtanen buyout, we'll be fine for at least that period of time. What's the alternative? Another year of missing the playoffs and fans complaining that Benning did NOTHING to improve the team? He just did what fans have been asking him to do for years, and now they're upset that he finally grew a pair and did it. Some people are never satisfied. Garland himself is worth upwards of a 1st round pick, and we dumped 3 players who weren't legit roster players anyway with a $12 million cap hit and brought back a top pairing D-man and former NHL captain. OEL will make Hughes an even better player, just like Mats Sundin made Ryan Kesler the "beast" he was in 2011.
Following up from their initial reaction to the trade last week with the "Drafting Theme" . Edmonton, Toronto, Buffalo, Philadlphia, Detroit have all built through the draft over the last 10 years and what have they achieved? The Bruins historically have traded draft picks and first round draft picks ( Thornton, Samsonov, Hamilton, Seguin come to mind ) and are amongst the very best organizations in the league because they use trades, tryouts and FA to accelerate their success… Mike Gillis's scouts picked Virtanen as Benning was entering in the off season.
What are you talking about? Benning literally said OEL will be the top guy. OEL definitely does not help the team get better, because the team needs solid defensive defensemen, NONE of the current Canucks D can shutdown the best players in the league. Don't feed us this crap and think we are stupid idiots that have no idea what is going on. This is terrible almost all around, with the exception of whether the Canucks can get a team friendly deal with Garland.
Benning had waited this long with the bad contracts. What was one more year for them all to expire. GM making a move that reeks of desperation to save his job with no forsight beyond the present and that's been his downfall for his whole tenure so far. Canucks aren't building a cup contender they're trying to build a team that just makes the playoffs and they're happy with that. Embarrassing.
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Craig Button might not have been the greatest GM in the world with Calgary, but at least he didn't draft Logan Mailloux and I agree with 90% of what he said here. The Canucks got Theo Fleury 2.0 in Garland and 86ed those 3 terrible contracts, so even if OEL is a 2nd pairing D-man at worst for the next 4 years, it's still a great deal. If Benning can get something decent for Schmidt and Holtby, cap space being the main thing so they can at least make a trade or sign one or two more guys, like a 4th line centre and a Hamonic type, they're looking markedly better for the next 4 years. Having a 4 year Cup plan as a GM isn't a bad thing. If everyone fits under the cap, and they will after the Virtanen buyout, we'll be fine for at least that period of time. What's the alternative? Another year of missing the playoffs and fans complaining that Benning did NOTHING to improve the team? He just did what fans have been asking him to do for years, and now they're upset that he finally grew a pair and did it. Some people are never satisfied. Garland himself is worth upwards of a 1st round pick, and we dumped 3 players who weren't legit roster players anyway with a $12 million cap hit and brought back a top pairing D-man and former NHL captain. OEL will make Hughes an even better player, just like Mats Sundin made Ryan Kesler the "beast" he was in 2011.
He knows nothing
.
OEL is the new Edler. Respect your Edlers.
It's true Button didn't have Virtanen in his top 30. He had Sam Bennett 1 and Leon Draisaitl at 15
Following up from their initial reaction to the trade last week with the "Drafting Theme" . Edmonton, Toronto, Buffalo, Philadlphia, Detroit have all built through the draft over the last 10 years and what have they achieved? The Bruins historically have traded draft picks and first round draft picks ( Thornton, Samsonov, Hamilton, Seguin come to mind ) and are amongst the very best organizations in the league because they use trades, tryouts and FA to accelerate their success… Mike Gillis's scouts picked Virtanen as Benning was entering in the off season.
What are you talking about? Benning literally said OEL will be the top guy. OEL definitely does not help the team get better, because the team needs solid defensive defensemen, NONE of the current Canucks D can shutdown the best players in the league. Don't feed us this crap and think we are stupid idiots that have no idea what is going on. This is terrible almost all around, with the exception of whether the Canucks can get a team friendly deal with Garland.
Button likes the trade for Vancouver, I agree! Canucks had to do something!
Benning had waited this long with the bad contracts. What was one more year for them all to expire. GM making a move that reeks of desperation to save his job with no forsight beyond the present and that's been his downfall for his whole tenure so far. Canucks aren't building a cup contender they're trying to build a team that just makes the playoffs and they're happy with that. Embarrassing.
Button has never been wrong about anything.
Button isn't lying. He had Virtanen @ 43.
Button on The Button again!
OEL wasnt the number one guy anymore.. hes moving into a similar role with the Canucks
You forgot Chicago and Pittsburgh
Benning needs to Go 23 Draft picked I like Craig Button used to Didn't like Him but now