Benning's biggest problem is his actions with the FA market, where he's been hands down one of the worst GMs in the recent years. Just look at the list of his signings: Loui Eriksson, Tyler Myers, Antoine Roussel, Jay Beagle, Jordie Benn, Tim Schaller, on and on it goes. It's like, if you're old and/or over the hill, Jimbo has a special place for you in his heart.
And the worst part is not only the fact that he chose to overpay some bums, but also the fact that he's made that team so cap-strapped they struggle to make signings that they should make. Jacob Markström and Tyler Toffoli both say hello, just as recent examples.
It's quite sad, really, considering other things that Benning has done. He was first given an unenviable task of dismantling a former contender, now VAN is considered a team on the rise in the NHL. His bigger trades in recent times, such as JT Miller and the aforementioned Toffoli, turned out to be excellent moves. Contract extensions to guys like Miller, Horvat, Boeser couldn't have been much more team-friendly. He's also drafted pretty well towards the latter years of his tenure, although high-profile whiffs on guys like Virtanen and Juolevi drag his overall drafting down a little.
Benning may end up getting another chance in the NHL, but he better learn his lesson and just stop spending money in free agency.
