The Vancouver Canucks’ rough start reportedly has Jim Benning under “tremendous pressure”
The Vancouver Canucks are off to a terrible start this season and somebody might have to answer for it.
After a couple of lopsided losses at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens, the Canucks are sitting with a 2-5-0 record. Their .286 points percentage ranks dead last in the league.
During the first intermission of Saturday night’s loss to the Habs, Brian Burke said on Hockey Night in Canada that general manager Jim Benning was under “tremendous pressure” due to the team’s early struggles and the overarching “salary cap hell” that they’re dealing with.
If this team doesn't start winning games…I do think someone in front office might have to pay a price…Benning, you see how fans are reacting to it. Francesco is very attune to what people are saying. He will get frustrated at some point. 2/2
(Canucks Conversation-Sat morn)
— Taj (@taj1944) January 25, 2021
The Canucks came into the 2021 season with high expectations. After four seasons of not making the playoffs, the team drafted some high-quality talent in Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes and appeared to have turned the corner when they won two playoff rounds back in the summer.
That breakout looks to be short-lived. Due to the team’s salary cap constraints and wealth of bloated contracts (@Loui Eriksson, @Brandon Sutter, @Tyler Myers), the Canucks let star goaltender Jacob Markstrom and trade deadline acquisition Tyler Toffoli walk in free agency. To make matters worse, both Markstrom and Toffoli are off to great starts with their new clubs who also happen to be divisional rivals of the Canucks, making their departures sting even more.
Nothing is imminent, but this will be an interesting situation to follow. The Canucks are set to play a three-game series with the basement-dwelling Ottawa Senators this week. If things continue to go sideways, Benning’s job might be at risk.