Canucks: 5 Worst Jim Benning Trades
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The Hockey Writers
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The Vancouver Canucks, under the management of Jim Benning, made several trades that still haunt fans and analysts alike. Among the most disastrous was the deal that sent former first-round draft pick Hunter Shinkaruk to the Calgary Flames for Markus Granlund. Shinkaruk struggled to find his footing in the NHL, but many believed he had the potential to be a solid contributor. Granlund, although useful in his own right, never met the expectations set by the trade, making it a prime example of Benning's miscalculated decisions.
Another trade that raised eyebrows was when the Canucks dealt their talented defenseman Erik Gudbranson to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In exchange, they received a package that included a draft pick that ultimately did not yield significant results for the franchise. Gudbranson's physical style and leadership were missed, and fans lamented the loss of a player who could have helped stabilize the defense.
One of the most criticized moves was the trade that sent Ryan Kesler to the Anaheim Ducks. Kesler, a two-way center and a key player for the Canucks, was exchanged for a package that has yet to deliver the expected returns. The fallout from this trade left a sour taste in the mouths of Canucks fans who felt that losing a franchise player was a mistake that could have been avoided.
Finally, the acquisition of Loui Eriksson from the Boston Bruins was met with skepticism, given Eriksson's declining performance and hefty contract. Despite initial hopes that he could provide the scoring depth the Canucks needed, Eriksson's time in Vancouver was disappointing, leading to further scrutiny of Benning's decision-making.
These trades serve as a reminder that not all moves in the NHL pan out as planned, and for Canucks fans, these missteps continue to fuel discussions about the franchise's direction under Jim Benning.
Another trade that raised eyebrows was when the Canucks dealt their talented defenseman Erik Gudbranson to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In exchange, they received a package that included a draft pick that ultimately did not yield significant results for the franchise. Gudbranson's physical style and leadership were missed, and fans lamented the loss of a player who could have helped stabilize the defense.
One of the most criticized moves was the trade that sent Ryan Kesler to the Anaheim Ducks. Kesler, a two-way center and a key player for the Canucks, was exchanged for a package that has yet to deliver the expected returns. The fallout from this trade left a sour taste in the mouths of Canucks fans who felt that losing a franchise player was a mistake that could have been avoided.
Finally, the acquisition of Loui Eriksson from the Boston Bruins was met with skepticism, given Eriksson's declining performance and hefty contract. Despite initial hopes that he could provide the scoring depth the Canucks needed, Eriksson's time in Vancouver was disappointing, leading to further scrutiny of Benning's decision-making.
These trades serve as a reminder that not all moves in the NHL pan out as planned, and for Canucks fans, these missteps continue to fuel discussions about the franchise's direction under Jim Benning.