The Canuck Way
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Vancouver Canucks: Top 5 Questionable Moves by Jim Benning

By Alex Hoegler

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning announces Jake Virtanen (not pictured) as the number six overall pick to the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning announces Jake Virtanen (not pictured) as the number six overall pick to the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks fans hold up a sign with former coach John Tortorella during the first period as the Vancouver Canucks host the Calgary Flames in game one of the first round of the the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

5. 2014 Offseason

The Canucks were coming off of an embarrassing season under John Tortorella that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time in six years. They were among the NHL’s worst teams, there were more empty seats than ever before at Rogers Arena and it was clear the locker room was a toxic mess.

So, the Canucks decided to kick off a new era. GM Mike Gillis was fired and replaced by Benning. Tortorella was let go and replaced by Willie Desjardins. Canucks legend Trevor Linden was also hired to be the main man in the front office. After the team selected Jake Virtanen sixth overall, many believed this was the sign of a rebuild.

Instead, the Canucks chose to sign goaltender Ryan Miller to a three-year deal worth $18 million. The fact they traded away a proven Cory Schneider a year earlier made this deal a head-scratcher. Why sign a past-his-prime veteran on a rebuilding team?

The Canucks also added winger Radim Vrbata to a two-year deal worth $10 million. The Canucks did make the playoffs that season, but went out in the first round.

If they simply ignored signing two veterans on the wrong side of 30, the Canucks would have likely been one of the NHL’s worst teams in 2014-15. That could have meant another top-10 pick and finally signal a rebuild. Vrbata’s final season in Vancouver was a disaster, and the Canucks are still holding onto Miller, who’s taking up a big portion of their cap space.

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