Canucks fans are outraged by lack of draft picks acquired at trade deadline

The 2018 NHL trade deadline has come and gone, and the Canucks chose to only dabble with their assets, making minor player-for-player exchanges.

Thomas Vanek was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Tyler Motte and Jussi Jokinen.

Philip Holm was shipped off to the Vegas Golden Knights in return for Brandon Leipsic.

The biggest story of the day however, was the lack of draft picks that came in return to Vancouver – especially when general manager Jim Benning’s talents lie directly in drafting. The lack of desired results was enough to send some fans over the edge.

Nash: 1st + top prospect + Spooner
Kane: 1st + top prospect + 4th
Grabner: 2nd + prospect
Maroon: 3rd + prospect

Vanek: a Wendy’s coupon

— GudbransonForNorris (@MrBooth_7) February 26, 2018

The #Canucks didn’t get a draft pick for Thomas Vanek. I’m at a complete loss for words.

— Daniel Wagner (@passittobulis) February 26, 2018

How did Benning make a trade that’s WORSE than just keeping Vanek? I didn’t actually have this on my Benning whiteboard of possible disasters. lmao

— Corduroy Orbison (@_Proto) February 26, 2018

BENNING: we hear you want Thomas Vanek
OTHER GM: that’s right
BENNING: we’ll give you a draft pick for him
OTHER GM: he’s your player
BENNING: ok two draft picks, but that’s my final offer

— Andy Cole (@AndyCole84) February 26, 2018

A lot of heat is currently falling on management. Benning says draft picks weren’t offered for Vanek, yet it still leaves a lot to question as far as their rebuilding strategy.

Does anyone actually believe the #Canucks when they say there weren’t any draft picks out there for Vanek? Remember, they said the same thing hours after turning down a third for Hamhuis.

— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) February 26, 2018

Rangers already doing a better job of rebuilding than the Canucks, and they decided to rebuild three weeks ago. https://t.co/rNn8wMrUZn

— Gregory Balloch (@GregBalloch) February 25, 2018

My girlfriend, who only follows hockey casually: “Whenever the Canucks make trades, it reminds me of when I play a board game without understanding the rules. When it gets to be my turn, I just panic and do something that doesn’t make sense just for the sake of making a move.”

— Jackson McDonald (@Johnny_Perogy) February 26, 2018

Here’s my thing with the Canucks right now: They’re openly “rebuilding”, their GM’s entire claim to fame is being a “super scout”, and they wrapped up the deadline with no outside draft picks acquired, and one their own lost in October. How does that make any sense?

— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) February 26, 2018

The entire Canucks team is depth players

— Flintor (@TheFlintor) February 26, 2018

See also