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Jim Benning has been dialing hockey’s version of a combined chat and date line.

Call it 1-800-411-HELP.

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The five-day window to woo unrestricted free agents in advance of the July 1 shopping spree opened Sunday and the Vancouver Canucks general manger is seeking solutions. The rebuilding National Hockey League club needs to replace 50-point producers in the retired Henrik and Daniel Sedin and provide young players with a critical support system.

Easier said than done.

Even second-tier free agents want money, term, a no-trade clause, a chance to win and a nice city. Benning can easily sell Vancouver’s lifestyle and scenery. Can he sell his vision for a rebuild by promising bigger roles at reasonable money and term? The Canucks have pledged to be younger and several million under the $79.5 million (all funds in U.S. dollars) salary cap ceiling.

“People understand our situation — they know where we’re at,” said Benning. “We’d like to sign support players, those who can bring us energy, speed and help with the development of our skilled, younger players. We’re not going after the big-name free agents.