CANUCKS CONTEMPLATING GM CHANGE?

TORONTO, ON — The Vancouver Canucks lost their sixth consecutive game on Thursday night and frustration may be starting to boil over atop the organization.

Despite ongoing speculation over the club’s engagement in the trade market with the likes of Jake Virtanen, Brandon Sutter and Adam Gaudette among those floating around the rumour mill, a different change may be on the horizon if the Canucks don’t start winning now.

The Canucks currently sit sixth in the North Division with a 6-11-0 record, putting them 24th in the NHL. However, the team has also played more games than any other team in the league and their current point percentage puts them ahead of only the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators.

According to two separate sources, Canucks ownership is beyond frustrated with the team’s start and is considering a change at the General Manager position. If the team can’t right the ship and if this series against the Flames does not go well, I believe we could see the end of Jim Benning’s tenure in Vancouver.

Benning, who is signed through the 2022-23 season, is in his seventh season as Canucks GM after taking over for Mike Gillis on May 23, 2014. If he’s let go, his contract remains on the books. In this economic environment, that is not an easy pill to swallow, but the price might have to be paid.

It is unclear if Canucks ownership, led by team Chairman Francesco Aquilini, has sought out a possible replacement for Benning, but it is starting to sound like that process has begun and exploratory calls are being made.

Earlier this week, the Pittsburgh Penguins named Ron Hextall their new GM, taking over for Jim Rutherford, who resigned last month, and Brian Burke as President of Hockey Operations.

If the Canucks do go down this road, I’d have to imagine some of the candidates in the running for the Penguins gig would be under some sort of consideration for any vacancy in Vancouver. The list of potential candidates could include former Los Angeles Kings AGM Mike Futa, current Colorado Avalanche AGM Chris MacFarland and former Toronto Maple Leafs AGM Mark Hunter, among others.

I would also add former Canucks goalie and current Special Advisor to the GM in Florida Roberto Luongo and former Kings GM Dean Lombardi into the mix, as well.

Luongo, who still has a cap hit of just over $3 million this season and next for the Canucks, is certainly a curious name for a variety of reasons. Aside from fully understanding the Vancouver market, he’s ascending at a solid rate in the management world and was recently named one of the Assistant GMs for Team Canada’s Winter Olympic team. There are some whispers ownership has interest in talking to him, but as far as I know, that’s all they are right now.

The Canucks play the second of four straight games against the Flames on Saturday night. Another loss could break the camel’s back.

TFP’s Lead Reporter Irfaan Gaffar contributed to this report.