Following yet another disappointing season in 2016-17, Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning finally realized that it’s time to forget about the playoffs. Draft, develop the kids and stop adding veterans.
Instead of chasing a big fish in free agency — like he did with Loui Eriksson last year — Benning opted to find cheap players at bargain prices. When all was said and done, his big additions were versatile forward Sam Gagner, defenceman Michael Del Zotto and backup goalie Anders Nilsson.
Throw in those guys with a young core that’ll include Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, Troy Stecher, Ben Hutton and others, and the Canucks are definitely going to roll with a younger roster next season.