“Final draft decisions continue to be the responsibility of General Manager Jim Benning.”

Canucks News

• The Canucks put out a press release on Friday following the departure of Judd Brackett. [Canucks]

One of the most interesting parts of that release was the last sentence:

“No further changes were made to reporting structure or personnel among the amateur scouting staff. Final draft decisions continue to be the responsibility of General Manager Jim Benning.”

Again, there’s a chance that this Brackett firing is overblown. There’s also a good chance that the Canucks find ways to replace him after the 2020 NHL Draft. Regardless, doesn’t it feel like the Canucks should be trying to add or increase the roles of intelligent amateur scouts within the organization?

• Weigh in with your thoughts on whether the Judd Brackett firing was a mistake or overblown. [Nucks Misconduct]

• Ed Willes painted a broader picture of people who have left the organization during Jim Benning’s tenure. [The Province]

“Brackett is hardly the only hockey man who’s lost their position within the organization during Benning’s time here and the pattern gives one pause.

Assistant general managers Laurence Gilman and Lorne Henning and director of player development Eric Crawford were dismissed in 2015 after Benning’s and Weisbrod’s first year. Linden was fired two years ago. Now Brackett’s gone.

Yes, the circumstances around each instance were different and, yes, Linden signed off on Gilman, Henning and Crawford.

But with each move, Benning and Weisbrod also broadened their power base while eliminating voices which didn’t always align with their own.”

Love them or hate them, it’s clear that Benning and John Weisbrod have more power than ever before in the Canucks organization.

• With the NHL officially announcing that the best-of-five round robin isn’t part of the NHL playoffs, the Canucks first-round pick still remains in limbo. [TSN]
• The Area 51 podcast had former Canucks owner Arthur Griffiths on their show. [Area 51 Podcast]
• And finally, after Sportsnet Pacific finished airing abbreviated versions of all five games during the 1994 Conference Finals between the Canucks and Maple Leafs, Greg Adams and others Canucks alumni gave their insight on the series. [Canucks]