The Canucks organization has to decide before making changes whether pushing for the playoffs this season is still a realistic goal and objective.

What would be the cost in the short term and long term to risk one or more of the playing roster, under the present cap restrictions and present individual contracts that the playing roster have.

In Thomas Drance’s Athletic article, Canucks Trade Value Tiers 2021: Ranking every player by market value, Drance outlines the marketability of the playing roster from untouchable to the lowest tier.

Does it make sense for the Canucks to go in to any degree to make a playoff push that is not well advised or even attainable, given their place in their division and conference?

The risk in the short term is making things worse or pulling off a Los Angeles Kings or St. Louis Blues run the rest of the season and holding the Stanley Cup at the end of it.

Or polarizing the business community, fans, organization, Canucks alumni, and the province with continued futility as the last 8 years have produced for the most part.

The Francesco Aquilini, Trevor Linden and Jim Benning experience did not work for the most part and even though was a good idea, perhaps; it’s failure left a sour taste in the organization, never to be reinvestigated.

Until now.

It is time for the Canucks to find a Lou Lamoriello, David Poole, Brian Burke for the club. Somebody well respected, very experienced in the hockey business, and operations, from the bottom up and that can be a voice between ownership and the management team running the club on a daily business.

Jim Benning’ forte with the Boston Bruins, besides contracts, was also assessing talent, both prospects and the playing roster. The job of general manager got in the way of his specific talent scope and instead of doing the whole job well, Benning has done much of it not very well.

The genetal manager IS A GENERAL MANAGER, who needs a team to help address the specific tasks of a ice hockey team. He/She is the chair, the manager.

The Canucks need a President of Hockey Operations, who is well enough respected, experienced, and with a resume that kicks ass, he/she has unequivocal control and is only answerable to the owner of the Vancouver Canucks.

Only then, should the Canucks risk the short term season viability of the Canucks, and risk the long term future of the club, because it will be less of a risk with a sound chance of success.