Vancouver Giants general manager Scott Bonner is playing the patience card with the team’s 7-11-0-0 start.
Vancouver dropped a 5-0 decision on the road to the Kelowna Rockets Saturday night, marking their third straight loss and seventh in eight games. They’re 19th in the 22-team WHL so far.
Asked about possible trades to get the team out of the doldrums, Bonner seemed steadfast Sunday about sticking with the current group.
“I’m not too worried about the record yet, considering we’ve faced a ‘Murderers’ Row,’ of opponents lately,” said Bonner, whose team has played the Rockets twice in the past five games, along with single contests against the Everett Silvertips and Brandon Wheat Kings.
“Trades can come at any time, should they improve our team or our team’ s identity. We won’t be moving any core players. We’ve acquired tons of future pieces over the past few seasons and it’s time to focus on roster issues.
“I would really like to see our full team for a bit to know exactly what we’ve got.”
Translation: Vancouver isn’t in the hunt for disgruntled Calgary Hitmen forward Greg Chase. And don’t expect a major offer to Sam Reinhart, who’s just back with the Kootenay Ice.
Vancouver has been without key 16 year olds Tyler Benson, a left winger, and Ryely McKinstry, for the past five games. They’ve been away at the Under-17 world challenge in Sarnia, Ont.
The tournament ended Saturday. Both Benson and McKinstry should be back in the Vancouver line-up Wednesday, when the the Tri-City Americans visit the Pacific Coliseum (7 p.m., TSN 1410).
Seventeen-year-old wingers Ty Ronning (collar bone) and Jakob Stukel (hand) have both been on the Vancouver injured list for the long term. Ronning was hurt in exhibition action. Stukel got into two regular season games.
The Giants have remained coy about their returns, but they haven’t been practising with the team, so you’d think that neither will be suiting up in game action anytime soon.
The WHL injured list has them both as “indefinite.”
