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Training Camp Wrap-Up: Jim Benning’s Thoughts
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Vanessa Jang
Sep 27, 2016, 11:00 EDTUpdated:
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We’re just another step closer to the NHL regular season as training camp’s reached its end in Whistler. The Canucks have several roster questions still, but until opening night is upon them, those answers will remain internalized by the team’s front office.
With main camp in the books, General Manager Jim Benning spoke to TSN 1040 yesterday to give his final thoughts, as well as what to expect going into the start of the pre-season.
It was an eventful four days full of on and off-ice activities. The competition is fierce. All of the players, whether or not they have solidified a roster spot, were out in full force to impress management, the coaches, and the fans. Players are hoping to keep their positions, while others are hoping to take it away from them. There are only a limited number of roster spots available, and Jim Benning has made it very clear that the spots are open to anyone who proves that they can help the team win.
Jim Benning on training camp: “It’s been good. There has been a lot of pace to the sessions, it’s been intense. There’s lots of competition for jobs, and I think the players sense that. I think there’s two or three spots up front where there are question marks. We have to go through the exhibition season to see where the young guys are at, if PTO guys can beat them out of spots, or players in Utica can beat them out for their spot. There’s competition from within for jobs and ice-time. If there’s tough decisions to be made, we’re going to make those decisions.”

The subject of professionalism has been a major topic amongst the young players. It is well-known that it has been an issue, so much so that respected veterans such as the Sedins and Alex Burrows have openly called them out for it. Poor professionalism is obviously a disincentive when it comes to keeping a player in a professional league, but Jim Benning believes that those players have matured and grown from their past experiences.
Jim Benning: “Any time you have young players on the team, they have to learn how to be a pro. The young players we had last year, from the start to the end, have really matured. Some of those guys have come back this year and now know what to expect. I know it was a tough year last year, but I think it was a year that we needed to go through to get those young guys up and going.”
Speaking of the young players, there are a select few who have been waiting for their chance to lock up an NHL roster spot. Those players, as well as the few who have signed a Professional Try Out, may be the most motivated out of the group. They are not satisfied with multiple call-ups and demotions, they strive to secure a permanent position on the team. The off-season is the perfect time for those players to work on their game; it gives them the opportunity to put themselves ahead of whoever may be in front on the depth chart.
Jim Benning on young players who have stood out: “It’s been three days, so it’s not a big sample size. Andrey Pedan – his mobility, I think he really worked on that this summer. He’s looked good through these first three days. Up front, Brendan Gaunce has had a strong start, he came in good shape. In the scrimmage yesterday, I thought he was one of our better players. It’s good to see these young guys taking the summer to work on the things they need to work on.
Jim Benning on the PTO players: “They all bring a different dimension. Jack Skille – his skating, he’s a big, powerful, strong man and he will attack the net. Tuomo Ruutu has been a warrior through the years and he’s brought that mentality. Shepard is strong on the puck, and he’s a versatile player who can play the centre or the wing. “
The Canucks play their first pre-season game in San Jose tonight. With training camp over, Jim Benning and the coaches have clearer idea of which players need more development. For those who are in serious consideration for a roster spot, they will likely play exhibition games over the course of the next few weeks.
Jim Benning: “I’m not going to say too much because we haven’t talked to the players yet. Some of our junior kids, we’re going to send them back (to their respective teams). Their season started so we want them to get back with their teams and have good years. There will be some kids staying, we want some kids to get some games in. Olli Juolevi, we got him pencilled in for a couple games. We want our fans to see him in some exhibition games and see where it goes.”
Update: Cole Candella, Brett McKenzie, Jakob Stukel, Rodrigo Abols, Tate Olson, and Carl Neill have been sent back to their CHL teams. Refer to Jeremy Davis’ piece here.
The Canucks clearly struggled with offensive production last season. They fell to second-last in the league after scoring just 191 goals. In their transition to incorporating younger players in the roster, those individuals will be heavily relied upon to put the puck in the net. They still have several years of development before hitting their peak, but everyone is hoping that they hit that point early and that it lasts longer.
 Jim Benning: “We expect Sven Baertschi to be better offensively. Bo Horvat scored 16 goals, we’re hoping he can get 20 for us. Jake Virtanen got 8, we’d like if he can take the next step and get 12-15 goals. Then, it’s going to be the Emerson Etems and Anton Rodins. Rodin has an NHL skill set – his hands, his ability to handle the puck, and his release on his shot is NHL calibre.  He’s coming off an injury, but it looks like he could be a guy that scores for us.”
On a side note, Winnipeg and Jacob Trouba recently made a statement that his time with the Jets is over. As a highly-coveted right-handed defenseman, many teams will, not surprisingly, be making a call. Will Jim Benning be one of them?
Jim Benning: “I’m happy with the right side of our defense – Chris Tanev, Erik Gudbranson, and Philip Larsen. I think our fans will be excited to watch [Larsen] play. He’s a smooth skater, he has lots of poise with the puck, he can walk the blueline and get shots through and on net. Each player adds a different dimension, so I’m happy with our right side going into the season.”

Last but not least, the Canucks have two players left playing in the World Cup. Jannik Hansen and Luca Sbisa are playing in the finals, and they could be finished as early as Thursday or as late as Saturday. With Sweden’s elimination, the Canucks will be getting four players back in Vancouver to prepare for the start of the regular season.
Jim Benning: “They’re coming back today from Toronto, so we’ll talk to them tomorrow. Until we talk to them, we haven’t set a plan going forward. We’re going to give them some time off and then we’ll get them up and going. I expect maybe they’ll play in the last couple exhibition games. Jacob Markstrom will probably join the team quicker. From everything I’ve heard, they didn’t get any injuries at the World Cup and they’ll be ready to go.”
Starting today, the Canucks have 7 pre-season games to trim down their squad and set their final roster. The discussions that take place behind closed doors remains to be heard, so we are left with our imaginations and armchair-GMing to put together the roster that we deem fits. The regular season kicks off on October 15th against the Flames at Rogers Arena – a much anticipated night that marks the start for the quest of a much better season than last.

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