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Vancouver Canucks extend GM Jim Benning, what it means

By Alex Hoegler

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 28: Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning speaks to the media after a game between against the Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings. Benning was discussing the recent trades of Vancouver Canucks Left Wing Alexandre Burrows (14) and Vancouver Canucks Right Wing Jannik Hansen (36). February 28, 2017, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC. (Photo by Bob Frid/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 28: Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning speaks to the media after a game between against the Vancouver Canucks and Detroit Red Wings. Benning was discussing the recent trades of Vancouver Canucks Left Wing Alexandre Burrows (14) and Vancouver Canucks Right Wing Jannik Hansen (36). February 28, 2017, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC. (Photo by Bob Frid/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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On Wednesday morning, the Vancouver Canucks announced a three-year extension for general manager Jim Benning. Here’s what the news means going forward.

The Vancouver Canucks have announced a three-year extension for general manager Jim Benning, after plenty of speculation that the organization was set to move in a different direction after the season.

Jeff Paterson of TSN 1040 broke the news:

“I’m excited about the direction of our team and the depth and talent we continue to build,” Benning said, per Rick Dhaliwal of News 1130. “I believe we are on the right track and I am pleased to continue the work we started four years ago when we set out to build a championship team,” Benning said, per

Team president Trevor Linden has frequently complimented the job Benning has done as general manager, but refused to specify contract negotiations and if the club was prepared to bring him back. As such, this news has caught a few by surprise:

Though Benning has come under fire for a number of questionable moves — namely the Loui Eriksson $36 million contract — he’s done a remarkable job stockpiling the team with young talent.

Benning has drafted Brock Boeser, Adam Gaudette, Thatcher Demko, Elias Pettersson, Kole Lind, Olli Juolevi and many other young talents. He made excellent trades to land players like Sven Baertschi, Markus Granlund, Nikolay Goldobin and Jonathan Dahlen, among others.

Much of Benning’s tenure has been about cleaning up the mess left by predecessor Mike Gillis. Benning had to ship out a disgruntled Ryan Kesler, buy out David Booth and rebuild an aging core that had virtually no young talent in the pipeline.

What it means

With an extension in place, it’s evident that Linden and Canucks ownership trust Benning to continue rebuilding this team through the draft. Love or hate the job he’s done, Benning has stockpiled this team with so much young talent in a short four-year tenure thus far.

But the Canucks are about to miss the playoffs for the fourth time in five years, so the pressure is on Benning to make this team better in the offseason. His first order of business will be to either extend the Sedin twins (both are pending UFAs), or replace the franchise icons if they opt to retire.

Next: Vancouver Canucks top prospects of week 17

Benning has been given a vote of confidence from Canucks ownership, so one has to believe he’s safe for at least the next two years. Another strong draft class in 2018 and some creative roster moves could go a long way in helping Benning earn more faith from a frustrated Canuck fan base.

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