Canucks GM Benning confident in offseason additions

When Jim Benning was hired in May as the Vancouver Canucks' general manager, he took over a team that was struggling to produce and made some moves.

Trade requests from Roberto Luongo and Ryan Kesler were fulfilled, and Benning began the process of rebuilding a team that seemingly fell apart after losing the Stanley Cup Final in 2011.

Since that season they failed to make it past the first round in the playoffs losing in five games to the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and were swept by the San Jose Sharks in 2013. They missed the playoffs altogether in 2014.

Benning knew the team needed a new direction and his plan was simple. 

"Our goal was to add depth so we weren't relying on the same players," Benning told NHL.com. "We wanted to supplement our core players so all the pressure is not going to be on them, both minutes-wise plus the ability to produce."

Instead of going ahead with toughness on the bottom two lines, Benning opted to bring in players he believes will be able to contribute in that role. 

"You can say you want to play four lines, but your third and fourth lines have to be able to contribute," he said. "We tried to add players to those third and fourth lines."

In exchange for Kesler came Nick Bonino who scored 49 points with the Anaheim Ducks last season. Kings prospect Linden Vey also joined the Canucks in the offseason. He appeared in 18 games for the Kings last year, scoring five points.

Benning's goal was to help his struggling players get back to form.

"So more than anything we want to get some players who through injuries or lost confidence or whatever happened last year, and we want to get them back to that style," he said.

All of that is in the rear-view mirror, as Benning is confident this season will be better than the last. 

"We want to focus on what is ahead of us and where we are going," he said. "Last year isn't important right now. It's done and behind us."