CANUCKS GM SEARCH CONTINUES

Hey I wouldn't even be doing up a post if nothing was happening. And even though it's quiet and it appears nothing is happening on Trevor Linden's search for a new General Manager, shiz seems to be going down.

First of all, I just wanted t point out that it was Trevor Linden's plan to hire a new General Manager before the end of May.

"I would love to have someone in place by the end of May. I don’t know if that’s possible," Linden said in late April.

Yeah well, Linden may meet that deadline, but things have become more complicated since then.

Jim Benning was believed to be the Canucks' top guy all along. But after interviewing Benning (reportedly) twice, why hasn't a decision been made here? No report of negotiations? It's starting to seem like Benning doesn't want the job here, and could elect to take a GM job with the Penguins or Capitals.

I've already talked about the "resumes" of Ray Shero and George McPhee here.

SCOTT HOWSON

Now, CBC's Elliotte Friedman drops this bomb on us:

Sounds like Edmonton's Scott Howson was in Vancouver for an interview. He didn't respond to a call, email or text seeking comment. That is The Triple Crown of avoidance.

Scott Howson. That's a strange one. He was Oilers' assistant GM from 2002-2007, then GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2007-2013, and now the Oilers' Senior Vice President Of Hockey Operations.

There is nothing really impressive about his tenure in any of those areas.

As far as drafting goes...

In his days as assistant GM in Edmonton his most notable picks were:

-Jarett Stoll, 36th overall, 2002

-Matt Greene, 44th overall in 2002

-Kyle Brodziak, 214th overall in 2003

-Devan Dubnyk, 14th overall in 2004

-Andrew Cogliano, 25th overall in 2005

-Jeff Petry, 24th overall in 2006

-Sam Gagner, 6th overall in 2007

Of course, keep in mind that he was the assistant GM, and that there is a scouting staff to shoulder the blame for the fails as well.

The biggest highlights of Howson's assistant GM career were in the 2005-06 season when the Oilers went to the Cup Finals. He was a part of these whoppers:

-Oilers trade Eric Brewer, Doug Lynch and Jeff Woywitka to the Blues for Chris Pronger.

-trade Mike York and a pick in 2006 to the Sabres fro Mike Peca.

-A first and 3rd round pick to the Wild for Dwayne Roloson

-traded Yan Stastny, Marty Reasoner and a 2nd round pick (Milan Lucic) to the Bruins for Sergei Samsonov

All key parts in the Oilers' playoff run in 2006.

When they had to flog Pronger, they sent him to the Ducks for Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Smid, a first round pick in 2007, a 2nd round pick in 2008, and a 1st round pick in 2008 which they used to pick Jordan Eberle.

Now on to his drafting days as GM of the Blue Jackets.

-Jakub Voracek, 7th overall in 2007

-Matt Calvert, 127th overall in 2008

-Cam Atkinson, 157th overall in 2008

-John Moore, 27th overall in 2009

-David Savard, 94h overall in 2009

-Ryan Johansen, 4th overall in 2010

-Boone Jenner, 37th overall in 2011

-Ryan Murray, 2nd overall in 2012

The significant trades made by Howson:

-BJ's acquire RJ Umberger from the Flyers in exchange for a 1st and 3rd round pick in 2008

-Jackets acquire Antoine Vermette from the Senators for Pascal Leclaire and a 2nd round pick in 2009

-Jackets acquire Jeff Carter from the Flyers in exchange for Jakub Voracek, and 1st and 3rd round picks in 2011

-traded Jeff Carter to the Kings for a conditional 1st round pick in 2012 or 2013 and Jack Johnson.

You know what? I don't want to go any further than this. If we go by track record alone WE DON'T WANT SCOTT HOWSON.