Report: Canucks GM addresses future of Miller, Tanev and Edler

Call it a rebuild, call it a re-tool, call it whatever you want but the Vancouver Canucks are clearly a team in transition. Over the past 12 months the team’s management group has made it a priority to inject the lineup with youth and develop it’s young players. This had led to speculation amongst analysts and the team’s fanbase that they’ll ultimately look to deal veteran players like Chris Tanev and Alex Edler, much like they did with Alex Burrows and Jannik Hansen at the 2017 NHL Trade Deadline.

But not so fast. General manager Jim Benning quickly squelched rumors that the team is looking to shop its veteran defenders when speaking with Province sports writer Ben Kuzma. "Unless it would make sense for our future, I’m not trading Chris. He means so much to our team. And we’re not looking to do anything with Alex (Edler)."

Of course, that doesn’t mean that he’s not listening to offers, either. "I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t listen and see if it (trade) is worth it, but it’s hard to find good defensemen. Especially defensemen who are mobile and move the puck. I’m not shopping Tanev or bringing his name up in conversations with other GMs. They bring up his name.”

Benning also addressed the future of goaltender Ryan Miller with the team as well, saying "As we’re transitioning these young players into our lineup, I feel that if we have solid goaltending on a night-to-night basis, we can be competitive. We have something to offer Ryan that he already knows. We’ve got some positives for him and if that’s the route we go, that’s why we’re doing it."

So what do you think Canucks fans? Are they headed in the right direction or is this more of the same from a tired, old group?