I'll say this though, despite Benning coming off as a guy who looks and sounds like he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, he has done a very good job of figuring out a way to do a Head Scout's job description while collecting a GM's salary.
It's also the right thing to do. Like I said a couple days before this happened, he should be handing over contracts and negotiations to someone better equipped to handle them, while he gets to focus on what he enjoys, and has a good reputation doing, scouting amateur hockey.
The only problem is, he may have handed the reins over to a guy that isn't very good(Weisbrod). Remains to be seen on that front, as it sounds like we don't really know for sure what he's done in the past.
But in terms of scouting, I actually think these firings and the re-organizing of the front office with Benning stepping into more of a head scouting role sound like a good thing. We don't know for sure if Benning can find the success he had in Buffalo, but the more new voices in the amateur scouting for this organization the better IMO. They just didn't get it done in this area - change was LONG overdue.
Run the damn draft Benning! Stick to what you know, and stay away from every type of negotiation out there.
