Player Discussion Jake Virtanen, Pt. XXI

[M2Beezy]

164 goal pace!

Preseason

 

[Hoglander]

I've been tough on Virtanen, and I know it's just a preseason game, but I think he just showed his highest NHL I.Q. moment on that OT winner. Looking pass the whole way, shows poise as the defender slides by, then snipes the top corner. More of that please.

 

[VanJack]

Whatever criticisms you can offer up for Virtanen, one thing is undeniable. This kid might be one of the most powerful, dynamic skaters in the NHL. He's 'Connor McDavid lite' on the blades. Just too bad he doesn't have the hockey sense to match his feet.

But if all he did was take a d-man wide and drive the net, he'd be a very effective player.And if he passes off the puck and then drives the net, he'll drive d-men to distraction. And I suspect he'd get a lot more garbage goals from in tight.

But you can easily see why the Canucks haven't given up on him yet.

 

[iFan]

I don’t know why you would give up on Virtanen, as is he’s already a very good 3rd liner, when he’s on his game he’s very tough to play against. He still has room to grow but even with where his game is at right now, he’s a valuable player.

 

[Oliewud]

ferland should be a good mentor for virtanen

 

[DL44]

He's like Grabner... flash offense.

Now i want to see him on the PK this preseason.. He could not be any worse than the passive groups we had in Victoria last night... bleaaaahhh..

 

[iceburg]

Whatever criticisms you can offer up for Virtanen, one thing is undeniable. This kid might be one of the most powerful, dynamic skaters in the NHL. He's 'Connor McDavid lite' on the blades. Just too bad he doesn't have the hockey sense to match his feet.

But if all he did was take a d-man wide and drive the net, he'd be a very effective player.And if he passes off the puck and then drives the net, he'll drive d-men to distraction. And I suspect he'd get a lot more garbage goals from in tight.

But you can easily see why the Canucks haven't given up on him yet.

He needs to watch TJ Miller play. It's the type of player that he could develop into more or less.

 

[Hit the post]

He's like Grabner... flash offense.

Grabner has been doing PK duty for the past number of seasons. Him and Neilson formed an effective combo for the Isles PK a while back. He's kind of a seasoned vet with respect to the PK.

Might be a good idea to give Jake a shot on the PK.

 

[DL44]

Grabner has been doing PK duty for the past number of seasons. Him and Neilson formed an effective combo for the Isles PK a while back. He's kind of a seasoned vet with respect to the PK.

Might be a good idea to give Jake a shot on the PK.

100% my thinking.. I picture Jake releasing on 50-50 pucks and getting a breakaway a game shorthanded like Grabner used to..

 

[Hit the post]

100% my thinking.. I picture Jake releasing on 50-50 pucks and getting a breakaway a game shorthanded like Grabner used to..

Oilers seemed to have done that with Kassian as well (might be a better comparable to Jake rather than Grabner) where they gave him PK duty (and seemed to have handled that role decently). Bigger/solid body with speed is an imposing figure.

 

[Zippgunn]

Happy for Jake, hope this last game was a harbinger of things to come.

 

[Megaterio Llamas]

 

[Bougieman]

ferland should be a good mentor for virtanen

This would be a very optimal outcome for both players. I hope you're right.

 

[mathonwy]

He needs to watch TJ Miller play. It's the type of player that he could develop into more or less.

Jonathan Tanner Miller

 

[mathonwy]

ferland should be a good mentor for virtanen

As an eating buddy?

 

[David71]

he's never gonna improve. needs a change of scenary

 

[Megaterio Llamas]

he's never gonna improve. needs a change of scenary

I agree he's not likely to improve much, but why trade him? For what he's going to fetch on the trade market we might as well hang on to him. Why not just forget about his draft status and let him be a homegrown third liner. He's a likable enough kid and when he heats up, get ready to pound some beers. It'll be fun

 

[shottasasa]

I agree he's not likely to improve much, but why trade him? For what he's going to fetch on the trade market we might as well hang on to him. Why not just forget about his draft status and let him be a homegrown third liner. He's a likable enough kid and when he heats up, get ready to pound some beers. It'll be fun

I agree with this sentiment

 

[M2Beezy]

I agree he's not likely to improve much, but why trade him? For what he's going to fetch on the trade market we might as well hang on to him. Why not just forget about his draft status and let him be a homegrown third liner. He's a likable enough kid and when he heats up, get ready to pound some beers. It'll be fun

Yeah I guess this makes the most sense. Mega Man brings the realistic take even if is hard to swallow sometimes

 

[VanJack]

With Ferland signed for three years and Podkolzin in the pipeline, I just don't see where Virtanen fits long-term. More likely he's dealt than ever becoming a fixture with the Canucks.

 

[Pavel96]

With Ferland signed for three years and Podkolzin in the pipeline, I just don't see where Virtanen fits long-term. More likely he's dealt than ever becoming a fixture with the Canucks.

But Cam Neely?

 

[Luck 6]

With Ferland signed for three years and Podkolzin in the pipeline, I just don't see where Virtanen fits long-term. More likely he's dealt than ever becoming a fixture with the Canucks.

You’re right. Because most teams really only need two wingers.

 

[Jay Cee]

I think there has got to be room for a player like Virtanen in our lineup? Why not? Lots of dead weight to dump before trading Virtanen for very little.

 

[Hoghandler]

I think there has got to be room for a player like Virtanen in our lineup? Why not? Lots of dead weight to dump before trading Virtanen for very little.

With a healthy roster, he's just barely holding down one of the last 2 wing positions IMO.

Miller Boeser
Ferland Pearson
Roussel Baertschi
Leivo Virtanen

But if Gaudette makes this team, is Jake even a starting lineup player when healthy? Assuming one of Sutter/Gaudette slide to the wing, Virtanen could end up fighting Leivo for a job. And that's assuming Loui Eriksson isn't on the team...

 

[Hit the post]

Virtanen is the least of the team's problems. One can not be a fan of the pick but still think he has a place on this roster (at least ahead of the REAL deadweight on the club).