VANCOUVER - When Vancouver Canuck GM Jim Benning arose Wednesday, his National Hockey League team was sitting in first place and his farm team, the Utica Comets, was perched atop the American League standings.

It’s been a beautiful beginning for the rookie GM but he isn’t strutting around with his chest all puffed out, noting this is just mid-November and not late March.

“It’s a long season,” Benning said, “but I think we’re all happy with the start. It seems to me, when I watch our team play, that the players are having fun again. They’re working hard and they believe in the system and the coaching staff. It’s a long year but when the players are working hard and they’re having fun, I think it makes it a lot more enjoyable.”

Benning’s immediate plan after taking the helm in May was to improve the organization’s depth at all levels and, so far, so good. The Canucks have won their last two games – 2-1 over Anaheim in a shootout, 4-3 over Ottawa in OT -- minus injured forwards Radim Vrbata, Zack Kassian, Derek Dorsett and Tom Sestito plus defenceman Luca Sbisa.

The pipeline can never be full enough, however. Injuries can strike at an alarming rate – see Columbus Blue Jackets – and other factors like suspensions or illness can blow a hole through a team’s lineup, and its season.

The Canucks have a number of prospects below the American League level who may one day step in and provide the next wave. Benning hasn’t seen many of them play live yet as he has chosen to stick with the big club for the mostpart. But he plans to hit the road following the Canucks’ game Friday against the Arizona Coyotes and take in some games in Ontario, including next Monday’s Subway Super Series game between the Russian Selects and Team OHL in Kingston.

Benning did conduct one piece of business Wednesday, returning winger Brandon DeFazio to the Comets. That’s an indication that at least one of the injured Canuck forwards will be ready to face the Coyotes. Vrbata, Dorsett, Kassian and Sbisa all skated Wednesday (on a team day off) with Vrbata and Dorsett the most likely to practise Thursday.

Here’s Benning on six of the team’s prospects and their seasons to date:

JAKE VIRTANEN, RW, 18, drafted in the first round, 6th overall, in 2014.

Team: Calgary Hitmen, WHL. Stats this season – Games Played: 9; Goals: 2; Assists: 7; Points: 9.

After recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, Virtanen joined the Hitmen on Oct. 24. He played in two Super Series games earlier this week for Team WHL and scored once.

Benning: “Jake is such a great skater and so powerful and strong that he stepped right in and he’s flying around out there. He’s playing physical and he’s hitting. He has two goals in nine games but he’s had lots of chances and just hasn’t had a lot of puck luck around the net.”

JARED McCANN, C, 18, drafted in the first round, 24th overall, in 2014.

Team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL. Stats this season – GP: 11; Goals: 7; Assists: 8; Pts: 15.

McCann missed the YoungStars tournament and NHL training camp after coming down with mono. He recently missed another three games due to illness but is still on the roster for Team OHL’s Super Series game next Monday.

Benning: “Sometimes there are lingering effects with mono. So he was playing and he noticed he was getting really fatigued out there and he’s missed a couple of games to get his energy levels back. He should be playing again pretty soon.”

COLE CASSELS, C, 19, drafted in the third round, 85th overall, in 2013.

Team: Oshawa Generals, OHL. Stats this season -- GP: 17; Goals: 7; Assists: 23; Pts: 30.

Cassels was leading his team in scoring and stood seventh in OHL scoring Wednesday. He has been selected to play for Team Ontario in the Super Series.

Benning: “Cole is off to a really good start. He’s competed hard, and his intensity level and his focus have really taken the next step in his development. Every game, even if he’s not scoring, he’s being a part of the outcome of the game through his hard work and competitiveness.”

JORDAN SUBBAN, D, 19, drafted in the fourth round, 115th overall, in 2013.

Team: Belleville Bulls, OHL. Stats this season – GP: 18; Goals: 10; Assists: 12; Pts: 22.

The under-sized defenceman (5-9, 178 pounds) was leading all Ontario League defencemen in goals and points. He has not yet been signed by the Canucks, who hold his rights until June. Subban is also on Team OHL for the Super Series.

Benning: “Jordan has gotten off to a really good start. He’s leading the OHL in defenceman scoring but he still need to tighten up in his own end. We’re keeping an eye on him and watching him and we’ll make that (contract) decision as we go forward. We still have lots of time.”

THATCHER DEMKO, G, drafted in the second round, 36th overall, in 2014.

Team: Boston College Eagles, NCAA. Stats this season – GP: 8; Goals against average: 2.12; save percentage: .921.

As a U.S. college player, Demko was not permitted to attend either the YoungStars tourney or the Canucks’ main camp. His won-loss record with the Eagles this season is 4-4-0. He was 16-5-3 a year ago.

Benning: “I haven’t seen him play live but the reports I’m getting on him is that he’s got off to a good start. The Boston College team has a bunch of new players this year and they’re kind of having a tough time scoring, so far. But all reports are he’s off to a good start.”

BEN HUTTON, D, drafted in the fifth round, 147th overall, in 2012.

Team: Maine Black Bears, NCAA. Stats this season – GP: 10; Goals: 1; Assists: 2. Pts: 3.

Like Demko, Hutton has been unable to attend Canucks’ fall camps to protect his NCAA status. An offensive defenceman, he had 29 points in 35 games last season but is well off that pace this year.

Benning: “The reports I’m getting is that he’s just trying to do a little bit too much. But he’s a good player. He’s poised with the puck and knows when to jump into the play on the offensive side. I expect him to get his game back in order and have a really good year.”

epap@vancouversun.com