General manager Jim Benning splits the opinions of Vancouver Canucks fans like few other figures in the organization. After so many successful years under previous GM Mike Gillis, it is hard for some Canucks fans to reconcile to the harsh reality of that sustained period of success, coupled with such underwhelming and franchise-gutting drafting. This team was never going to compete quickly with its empty prospect pipeline.
While we as fans have struggled for years to determine whether the Canucks are rebuilding, retooling, or simply plodding along without a plan, Benning has made several important moves as GM that have put the organization in a good position to climb out of the NHL’s basement, and challenge for playoff positions in the coming seasons.