Recap of Benning's radio interview:
Quote
Markstrom is NHL ready, worked with Cloutier.
- Wants to keep Miller, doesn't feel comfortable going into the season with two young goalies. Going to decide between Eddie and Jacob
- Teams don't want to give up a lot to get their goalies typically. Theres ~3 goalies on the market and he thinks his goalies are the 2nd best option.
- Alex Grenier was the most improved player from start of year to end of Calder Cup, got stronger, better skater. Good hands for a big man. Thinks he'll challenge for a spot.
- Corrado/Clendenning ready for NHL. Corrado played well on the left side(off side).
- Sven Baertschi had a real good playoffs, needs to get stronger. Hunter Shinkaruk/Brendan Gaunce improved a lot. Shinkaruk is stronger. Gaunce played a heavy game along the corners.
- Hasn't asked Bieksa to waive his NTC yet. Lots of talk with other teams leading into the draft. If something comes up that makes sense, he'll do it.
- No one has been asked to waive NTC's yet.
- Thinks there will be lots of movement at the draft. Good depth in this draft. Interviewed 65 kids, wants "character people who will work and compete and be hard to play against".
- Theres 4-5 guys he wants at #23, will be happy if he can get one.
- Been in contact w/ Matthias/Richardsons agents. Matthias is going to free agency. Richardson they will try to bring back.
- At pick 23, he is going BPA. Not necessarily a d-man.
- (When asked where they need to improve after the Calgary loss) - Wants to get faster/more physical. Ferland was a player he mentioned as an example.
Suffice to say this is a big off-season for us. I don't see it going well but Benning can redeem himself if he pulls off a miracle or two, starting with getting rid of Bieksa.
I assume our goalies are the "second best option" behind Ottawa's Anderson.
Don't know how the league looks at Lack vs. Talbot.
Corrado - Clendening instead of, like, Sbisa - Bieksa as our 3rd pair would be just amazing, that would make me really happy. Interested to see for myself how Corrado plays on the left. He's a smart guy with a safe game so it's possible.
I would be okay with a Hamhuis - Sbisa 2nd pairing if it meant Bieksa was gone.
Edler - Tanev
Hamhuis - Sbisa
Corrado - Clendening
Obviously it's a non-playoff defense but the younger guys will get valuable experience. Trading Hamhuis at the deadline would be the cherry on top.
This post was edited by LuLer on Jun 18 2015 12:02am