The Vancouver Canucks are basically the kings of dealing assets for vets who are supposed to help a playoff push, when in reality, the team is far from competitive. We saw this flawed team-building strategy when GM Jim Benning dealt former first-round pick Jared McCann and multiple draft picks for the steady, but unspectacular Erik Gudbranson.
The Canucks failed to realize they shouldn’t be dealing future assets for immediate help. But, that ideology might be shifting.
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com reports the Canucks, who are still very much in the playoff race with 44 points in 43 games, won’t use draft picks to acquire short-term help.
“I don’t believe the Canucks will trade away draft picks for short-term help despite the chance to make the playoffs. The long-term view will trump all is my understanding. Certainly if there’s a trade for a young player that makes sense that would fit with what they’re doing. But the team has already dealt away some picks over the last few years and I think they’d like to keep them moving forward. Again, unless it’s part of a deal for a young player.”
You hear that? That’s the sound of Canucks fans in Vancouver collectively sighing in relief.
Benning’s proven to be a very poor decision maker in terms of dealing the future for the current. But, if the Canucks are opting out of that thinking it makes the team’s future a heck of a lot brighter. We’ll see if the organization sticks to the plan.
[theScore]
