GM Benning to explore all options to improve Canucks

Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning is setting himself up for a busy summer.

Benning said Friday that changes need to be made, and the club will explore trades, free agency, and buyouts to improve next season, according to TSN’s Farhan Lalji.

“Ownership has given us the resources to do whatever we need to do to get back to where we need to be,” Benning said. “Buyouts is part of our strategy … We’re going to be aggressive on trades, free agency.”

Vancouver has a number of potential buyout candidates. Loui Eriksson has one year remaining on his deal with a $6-million cap hit at the NHL level, while Jay Beagle and Antoine Roussel each have one year left on their contracts with $3-million cap hits.

Benning will also need to re-sign young stars Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes this summer. Both players are set to become restricted free agents.

The Canucks announced earlier Friday that head coach Travis Green signed an extension to stay with the club. The contract is for two years, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Owner Francesco Aquilini released a statement Friday to season ticket holders expressing his confidence in the team’s management and young core in getting back to being a contending squad.

The Canucks finished last in the North Division this campaign with a 23-29-4 record. Vancouver has made the playoffs just twice over the past eight seasons.