Trevor Linden Shares How He Felt His GM Screwed Over His Franchise For Years To Come
Recently, former Canucks President Trevor Linden went on Sportsnet Radio and revealed how his GM botched the 2016 draft, screwing the Canucks for years.
Trevor Linden Reveals How Jim Benning Screwed Over the Canucks for Years
The Vancouver Canucks 2016 NHL entry draft is easy to look back on and determine as a failure for the organization. They had the fifth-overall draft pick, with whom they picked Olli Juolevi, passing on the likes of Matthew Tkachuk, Clayton Keller, and Mikhail Sergachev. While those names continue to help their respective teams win games, Juolevi spent years in the AHL and is still battling for NHL time.
Recently, former President Trevor Linden revealed in an interview how Jim Benning screwed them over in the draft. Talking about the success of the 2017 draft, picking Elias Pettersson, Linden had the following to say.
"Jim wasn't sold. If Jim had his choice, he probably would've taken a different player," Linden revealed. "I didn't feel we did a good job in 2016, and I think it cost us. Well, I know it cost us."
The choice of words reflects just how Linden feels about Benning's inability to scout and make good draft choices.
Benning's Response Says Otherwise Regarding the Draft
Benning responded to Linden's comments through Hockey Night in Canada's Raja Shergill, saying that the plan was always to take Pettersson.
Spoke with former #Canucks GM Jim Benning. Doesn't seem happy about Linden's comments on @Sportsnet650
«We were always going to draft Pettersson. The whole group liked Petey»
He mentions he felt they didn't have enough viewings on other players and needed to do due diligence.
«We were always going to draft Pettersson. The whole group liked Petey»
He mentions he felt they didn't have enough viewings on other players and needed to do due diligence.
There are always two sides to the story, however, it's hard not to believe Linden given the past performance of the Canucks with Benning at the Helm. Now, it appears the Canucks are starting to get the right pieces in place for some long-term success.
As seen on Sportsnet - "Quick Shifts: Will Nikita Zadorov be traded within Canada?"
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Do you think that Benning was a bad GM? | ||
| Yes | 222 | 92.1 % |
| No | 19 | 7.9 % |
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