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Expansion week. Draft week. Trade week. Rebuild week.

In what could be defining days for the Vancouver Canucks, the level of latitude that general manager Jim Benning actually has — and what co-operation he gets from his peers — for bold moves at the National Hockey League draft will tell you a lot about next fall and the next few years.

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The Canucks have been down this draft road before. They tried to unload salary, aging players and reached for a quick competitive fix at draft sideshows. However, the difference this year is Benning can do the steering and not just be along for the ride.

And he has the keys to the car.

“Yes I do,” Benning said Monday. “I keep everybody informed and we talk about it.”

There’s plenty to talk about. A Chris Tanev trade could shape the rebuild when Benning steps to the podium Friday night in Chicago. He’s holding the hammer because Benning has what his counterpart Jim Nill desperately needs.