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Wake With Elias: So much for that...

I was ready to go streaking, but I had to put my pants back on.

By Beggsy
Vancouver Canucks Training Camp
General Manager Jim Benning of the Vancouver Canucks takes in the second session on the first day of the Vancouver Canucks NHL Training Camp on January, 4, 2021 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images

For a second, there as a glimmer of hope in Vancouver.

It was just a glimmer, but it was enough to make any realistic fan excited about the direction of this team.

Alas, reports later surfaced that the Canucks intended on bringing back Jim Benning for the 2021-22 season. His contract with the team runs until 2022-23.

So, expect more misguided signings and sloppy trades as fans in this market continue to pray that the prospect pipeline is good enough to compensate for the other areas of mismanagement within this management group.

With a healthy Elias Pettersson alone, I do think the Canucks can be a playoff team next season. Hell, with a win on Wednesday’s they’ll still finish as the 23rd ranked team in the NHL. That seems high considering how disappointing this team has been.

A full season of Jack Rathbone, Vasily Podkolzin and Pettersson might be enough for the playoffs. The issue is, Vancouver should be in Colorado’s shoes. They have the core to contend, but sloppy management has them closer to being a bottom dweller instead.

In other Canucks News...

  • The big news of the day was that the Canucks are interviewing the Sedins regarding “significant roles” within the organization. [TSN]
  • Thatcher Demko went to bat for his free agent goalie coach, Ian Clark. [Sportsnet]
  • Jake Virtanen has now been sued for the alleged sexual assault which took place in September of 2017. [ESPN]
  • In this assorted thoughts piece, Alexander MacLean suggest that the Canucks should chase low cost options on defence next season, such as Caleb Jones and Riley Stillman. [Dobber Prospects]
  • Oh, and the Canucks did play a meaningless game yesterday, beating the Calgary Flames 4-2. That moves them into 24th overall in the NHL (8th best lottery odds). They have a chance to pass Ottawa with a win in Wednesday’s finale against Calgary.

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