At the draft, Benning selected goaltender Thatcher Demko with a high second-round pick. During Benning’s time in Boston, the Bruins weren’t shy about using a first-round pick on a goaltender – see Subban, Malcolm – and he would appear to have carried over that ethos to Vancouver. Whether it’s money, term and cap-space, or a high-value second-round pick – Benning will pay to play when it comes to staffing his crease with talented hockey players.

When we look at what’s gone on with Eddie Lack and Jacob Markstrom, and the lengths to which the Canucks went to keep Markstrom in the system – ignoring a reported July trade request, sneaking him down on waivers early in training camp – the same trend is evident. Add strategic elbow grease and managerial capital to the list of things Benning is willing to invest in his goaltenders.