MikeyD Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 (edited) Needless to say, many of us were disappointed that the team didn't draft Benson this past year as they believe he's going to be an easy land on an NHL player despite being undersized, very similar to when Cole Caufield was passed on in favour of Podkolzin. As I like to do, I've been keeping up with how he's doing and the fan reception around this particular pick. So far, nothing but overwhelming reviews. He's gone from "no chance he plays in the NHL this year" to "well, let's see how he performs at training camp" to "wow, this kid is good but let's not rush his development, let's keep him away from the NHL before we prematurely throw him to the wolves" to "maybe we'll just give him 9 games?" to "why don't we just have this kid on the team and insert him into our top 6?". He's played well in every game he's been showcased in, whether it's been their prospects tournament to scrimmages to pre-season games. Buffalo fans are wondering how he fell to them and despite having higher picks in their system, he's their best non-roster prospect. I wonder if this will eventually put some unnecessary pressure on Willander, considering he's nowhere close to the readiness that Benson is at. Edited October 10, 2023 by MikeyD 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nucker67 Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 shocking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riddikulus Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 27 minutes ago, MikeyD said: I wonder if this will eventually put some unnecessary pressure on Willander, considering he's nowhere close to the readiness that Benson is at. Why would it? The draft is over, other than the fans no one is associating Willander's development with that of Benson. I suppose if Alvin is in the hot seat then it maybe possible he may try to push for Willander to make the NHL prematurely but I don't forsee that being the case considering the last guy got 8 years despite being an abject failure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Hogs and Podz Posted October 2, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted October 2, 2023 36 minutes ago, MikeyD said: Needless to say, many of us were disappointed that the team didn't draft Benson this past year as they believe he's going to be an easy land on an NHL player despite being undersized, very similar to when Cole Caufield was passed on in favour of Podkolzin. As I like to do, I've been keeping up with how he's doing and the fan reception around this particular pick. So far, nothing but overwhelming reviews. He's gone from "no chance he plays in the NHL this year" to "well, let's see how he performs at training camp" to "wow, this kid is good but let's not rush his development, let's keep him away from the NHL before we prematurely throw him to the wolves" to "maybe we'll just give him 9 games?" to "why don't we just have this kid on the team and insert him into our top 6?". He's played well in every game he's been showcased in, whether it's been their prospects tournament to scrimmages to pre-season games. Buffalo fans are wondering how he fell to them and despite having higher picks in their system, he's their best non-roster prospect. I wonder if this will eventually put some unnecessary pressure on Willander, considering he's nowhere close to the readiness that Benson is at. Forward.... Defenseman. Oranges... Apples. Short-term vs long-term. Love Willander, love Benson too. Both will be great but for Vancouver, no question Willander was the best pick in the long run. 1 1 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyD Posted October 2, 2023 Author Share Posted October 2, 2023 11 minutes ago, Riddikulus said: Why would it? The draft is over, other than the fans no one is associating Willander's development with that of Benson. I suppose if Alvin is in the hot seat then it maybe possible he may try to push for Willander to make the NHL prematurely but I don't forsee that being the case considering the last guy got 8 years despite being an abject failure. Honestly really only put that bit in there so I had some sort of "reason" for creating the thread lol. I really just wanted to shout at the clouds over the fact I'm still upset we didn't draft Benson lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DrJockitch Posted October 2, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted October 2, 2023 I would have been extremely disappointed had we drafted him. At some point you just have to say enough is enough, no more Lilliputians. 1 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jester13 Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 I don't think Willander is as far away as some people may think. He's got an NHL frame already and high IQ, skill, and skating. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd. Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 This team sorely lacks a Benson calibre player up front. This team also sorely lacks a top pairing right handed defenseman. Which is exactly what we hope Willander will be. Both would’ve been great picks regardless. I’ve got no complaints. Perhaps Benson would’ve been the better player and choice, but if Willander hits his potential, im not even thinking about Benson. It’s brick by brick here. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HorvatToBaertschi Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 And I want Willander to play for the Canucks this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nucker67 Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 6 minutes ago, Odd. said: This team sorely lacks a Benson calibre player up front. Do you mean a small, skilled guy? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HorvatToBaertschi Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 16 minutes ago, Odd. said: This team sorely lacks a Benson calibre player up front. This team also sorely lacks a top pairing right handed defenseman. Which is exactly what we hope Willander will be. Both would’ve been great picks regardless. I’ve got no complaints. Perhaps Benson would’ve been the better player and choice, but if Willander hits his potential, im not even thinking about Benson. It’s brick by brick here. We're currently trying to get rid of 2 middle 6 wingers already.... how is our position of incredible depth and strength somewhere you think we "lack of" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJockitch Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 14 minutes ago, HorvatToBaertschi said: We're currently trying to get rid of 2 middle 6 wingers already.... how is our position of incredible depth and strength somewhere you think we "lack of" Depth yes, strength not sure. BB and CG coming of subpar years, JTM was our best winger but is now in the middle. Podz hasn’t developed, Hogz is just scraping 13th forward, Beau is a defensively questionable small winger who has never scored 20. Mik coming off major surgery. AHL guy on second line with PDG. Small, smaller and smallest on the wing and we are one sophomore Kuz slump and continuation of the BB and CG slides away from having a terrible looking group of winger. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-dlc- Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 I think they made the right choice considering our needs....I, too, want to steer clear of smaller players unless they're named Conor Bedard. We need to beef up a bit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drakrami Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 This team doesnt need more short, small, skilled players. Even if they score 50 points. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrefan1 Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 The regular season is an entirely different animal than the tournaments and pre-season. Benson will likely get a 9-game dress rehearsal and if he gets smothered in the men's game, he's headed back to Wenatchee. The Wild's head coach is under suspension and investigation and things are getting messy there so he has extra motivation to make the best of his Sabres/NHL 9-game run, if he gets elevated, so he doesn't have to go back to that clusterf*** in the WHL. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo5789 Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 Remember the fan base here about Hunter Shinkaruk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd. Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, HorvatToBaertschi said: We're currently trying to get rid of 2 middle 6 wingers already.... how is our position of incredible depth and strength somewhere you think we "lack of" We have no play driving, two way wingers unless you’ve been watching a different team. . There’s a difference between having depth and actually having quality depth. Our wingers are trash except Kuzmenko and Mikheyev. Benson is one of the best two way players of that draft. Edited October 2, 2023 by Odd. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd. Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 2 hours ago, Nucker67 said: Do you mean a small, skilled guy? comparing Benson to Garland is disingenuous at best. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 10 minutes ago, Odd. said: comparing Benson to Garland is disingenuous at best. Yup. Garland is way more physical and harder on pucks. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HorvatToBaertschi Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 2 hours ago, DrJockitch said: Depth yes, strength not sure. BB and CG coming of subpar years, JTM was our best winger but is now in the middle. Podz hasn’t developed, Hogz is just scraping 13th forward, Beau is a defensively questionable small winger who has never scored 20. Mik coming off major surgery. AHL guy on second line with PDG. Small, smaller and smallest on the wing and we are one sophomore Kuz slump and continuation of the BB and CG slides away from having a terrible looking group of winger. Yes, if everything goes absolutely terribly, you might be right. Take that in.. Odds are we just have an abundance of solid wingers, which has been one of the focal talking points on this team the past 3 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maninthebox Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 2 hours ago, DrJockitch said: Depth yes, strength not sure. BB and CG coming of subpar years, JTM was our best winger but is now in the middle. Podz hasn’t developed, Hogz is just scraping 13th forward, Beau is a defensively questionable small winger who has never scored 20. Mik coming off major surgery. AHL guy on second line with PDG. Small, smaller and smallest on the wing and we are one sophomore Kuz slump and continuation of the BB and CG slides away from having a terrible looking group of winger. Beau scored 21 in 17-18. Just saying. Slow regression since then, but I like him for 20+ if he holds a spot in the top 6. If. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballisticsports Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 1 hour ago, -dlc- said: I think they made the right choice considering our needs....I, too, want to steer clear of smaller players unless they're named Conor Bedard. We need to beef up a bit. But cows are just a step faster than Meyers, (Maybe but one in net)? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 27 minutes ago, Odd. said: comparing Benson to Garland is disingenuous at best. Garland actually showed to be the better player on a far lesser team with better overall numbers and far lesser line mates. Benson is no slouch at all; that's not what i am saying. But Garland/Benson is and was a fair comparison at the time because they were similar type players even if at different positions on the wing. Garland team draft year: https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0014432015.html Garland stats: https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=158171 Benson team draft year: https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0086712023.html Benson stats: https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=240680 It's actually impressive that Garland was that good but drafted so low in comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJockitch Posted October 2, 2023 Share Posted October 2, 2023 14 minutes ago, Maninthebox said: Beau scored 21 in 17-18. Just saying. Slow regression since then, but I like him for 20+ if he holds a spot in the top 6. If. Not saying we are terrible. Just saying that to describe our wingers as deep and talented is tough as many are coming off down years or major injuries or still on the non-linear developmental stage. This years team is a total crap shoot. Could be really good, could be sitting just above Anaheim and SJ in the Pacific, neither would surprise me. I think Beau should be a 20ish goal scorer and if he D doesn’t improve he better be. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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