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Benning: It's 'upsetting' to hear Canucks fans chanting for GM change

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Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning is aware the fans have grown impatient with him.

The Rogers Arena faithful could be heard chanting "Fire Benning" during Wednesday's loss to the Colorado Avalanche - the team's fifth straight defeat.

Benning addressed those chants on Thursday during a press conference, calling it "upsetting," according to The Athletic's Thomas Drance.

The Canucks sit seventh in the Pacific Division at 5-10-2.

"This is something I didn’t expect to happen after the moves we made this summer," Benning said.

The Canucks were busy this offseason, bringing in Conor Garland and Oliver Ekman-Larsson in a blockbuster trade with the Arizona Coyotes. Vancouver also added Jason Dickinson, Tucker Poolman, and Jaroslav Halak, among others.

Garland is third on the team with 13 points, but the rest of the moves haven't quite panned out.

Benning said he feels responsible for the team's struggles this season, but isn't worried about his job security.

"This is wearing on all of us, but I believe in this group of players," Benning said, adding his team is "fragile" right now.

Despite his belief in the current roster, Benning said he's made some calls around the league.

Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini held a meeting with Benning on Tuesday to discuss the team's struggles, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Benning has been Vancouver's general manager since 2014-15. The Canucks have made two playoff appearances under his guidance, never advancing past the second round.

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