Jake Virtanen - Part VI
- Thread starter The Stig
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Hoping Virtanen gets in some AHL games and prove that his season had more to do with Calgary than his own lackluster play.
Everyone on this board would love Virtanen to surprise and become an impact forward as soon as next year, but there's nothing wrong with criticizing Jake's play on a game to game basis.
There are fans here who will ignore the ups and downs and faithfully believe in a prospect. That's fine. But there also needs to be acceptance for fans who provide accurate updates on a prospect whether good or bad.
Everyone on this board would love Virtanen to surprise and become an impact forward as soon as next year, but there's nothing wrong with criticizing Jake's play on a game to game basis.
There are fans here who will ignore the ups and downs and faithfully believe in a prospect. That's fine. But there also needs to be acceptance for fans who provide accurate updates on a prospect whether good or bad.
Baby Pettersson
Moderator
Have a feeling Jake played his last ever junior game. Heading to the Comets and will likely be on the Canucks next year.
Jimson Hogarth*
Registered User
- Nov 21, 2013
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NHL for Virtanen next year unless the team can upgrade its physicality and aggressiveness in other transactions
VC
Registered User
He is made for the playoffs and brings the elements that are really missing from the team in skating, physicality and shot. Hopefully he is ready, he will be given every opportunity.
Jimson Hogarth*
Registered User
- Nov 21, 2013
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He'll get a taste of pro hockey here in Utica even if its practice, travelling with the team and watching from above.
He'll have a full summer to fully train, his first as an adult. That will be huge for the type of player he is.. I wouldn't be surprised to see him enter camp at 215 this September. With that kind of speed and aggression- could be able to wreak havok on opposition defenders.
Rex Banner
Custom User Title
- Aug 22, 2013
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Yeah having him and Kassian in the lineup would be a start in getting where we need to be physically.
It's the same thing that every junior player faces. IMO Jake's game should translate well to bigger, stronger players as it will allow him to play his physical game without getting called for penalties every second hit.
I think Jake's offensive game will take a bit longer as he adapts to the higher pace of the game. But his offensive game in junior was never based on being bigger and stronger than the other team (unlike a guy like Ritchie) but rather his speed and shot. Once he figures out how to use those tools at the NHL level - something that could well take 2-3 seasons just like Chris Kreider - I think we'll have an effective top 6 player.
I was at an insider's event for team sponsors with Linden and De Bonis recently and Linden said that they have a spot pencilled in for Virtanen next year.
I believe that, he has everything this team needs and Benning has hinted to him being on the team a couple of time
I believe his game was translate to the AHL without a problem, it might even be better suited for his game. No dumb penalties for hitting to hard or players who can't skate with him and receive/set him up
vadim sharifijanov
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- Oct 10, 2007
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is he AHL eligible next season, or is this another horvat situation where he either makes the team or wastes a year?
Horvat situation. If he was born in 1995 he would be eligible for the AHL.
NHL or WHL. But unlike Bo I don't think another season in junior would be a waste for Jake. While I think NHL might be better for him, he could still benefit from a year of being the top offensive option for the Hitmen after Tambellini and Rankin graduate.
Hollywood Burrows
Registered User
Oooh boy I love when this management team says they have a young guy "penciled in." Worked great with Vey last year. They should probably stop talking about pencils.
I've watched the handful of televised games that constitute most people's exposure to Virtanen this season. I don't see a player who can play in a bottom 6 role next year. Very poor in his own zone, no PK experience, poor play away from the puck. Predictable when he has the puck. He has so far to go to be able to use his (admittedly very impressive) physical tools to their maximum. He needs another year of junior. If his usage in Calgary really is hurting him then the Canucks need to force a trade the way the Oilers did for Draisaitl. But if they shoehorn him into the NHL lineup next season it's going to be bad for his development and it's going to turn a lot of the posters here into haters when they watch him struggle all year.
And the whole "his game will translate better in the pros" is a sop that fanbases say about every struggling prospect. It's not real.
vadim sharifijanov
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2007
- 28,777
- 16,215
this is the important part. time to find out how much "old boy's club" juice benning really has.
Laterade
Registered User
As long as he skates like the wind, hits like a locomotive and fires laser beams I'm sure he can make the team
Win One Before I Die
Cautious Optimism
- Jul 31, 2007
- 5,119
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I've never really been blown away by Virtanen from the very limited games I've seen of him this year. WJC and a few junior games on SHAW.
From all the games that I've watched, he just doesn't seem to process the game that well in terms of where he needs to go on the ice. I would love to be wrong of course but I don' see him making the team next year.
From all the games that I've watched, he just doesn't seem to process the game that well in terms of where he needs to go on the ice. I would love to be wrong of course but I don' see him making the team next year.
opendoor
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- Dec 12, 2006
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Will definitely be interesting to see how his situation plays out over the next year. Hopefully he can get in some games in Utica and we can see how he handles pro hockey.
But I agree with the above, it's usually not a good sign when prospects are essentially penciled into a spot before they actually earn it, so hopefully the Canucks aren't going that route.
But I agree with the above, it's usually not a good sign when prospects are essentially penciled into a spot before they actually earn it, so hopefully the Canucks aren't going that route.
Pencils have an eraser for a reason
We'll see if he gets any games for Utica. Wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't play a game though.
We'll see if he gets any games for Utica. Wouldn't surprise me if he doesn't play a game though.
DennisReynolds
the implication
- Dec 11, 2011
- 5,269
- 0
Or Virtanen will be frustrated because he can't knock men down as easily as he did against boys in junior.
ihaveyuidonttouchme
MrShiftbyShiftGuy
the problem for me with this is that once they r gone, is Calgary still a contender? if no, i have a weird feeling that Jake's point totals might take a hit again when they r not as good as this yr unless they bring in good replacements
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