Player Discussion Jake Virtanen, Pt. XXI

[Pip]

Virtanen is overrated because of an assumption about his possible playoff value?

2 years ago he was a bust and now that he is scoring and showing signs of being a decent player he is overrated. Go figure.

Again. You can be a good player and be a little overrated at the same time.

 

[mathonwy]

Again. You can be a good player and be a little overrated at the same time.

Yer raining on their outrage parade.

 

[Shareefruck]

I mean... the select fans who have argued that he's now projecting to be more valuable than the guys he's always compared with (Ehlers/Nylander) and is for some reason assumed to be a playoff performer are clearly overrating him. I don't know how anyone can argue against that.

That said, I don't think that small faction of posters is sufficient for determining if a player is over or underrated. Feels more like isolated cases of frustrated reactionary overcompensation for years of criticism over a player rather than an actual commonly held belief. Most fans have been more realistic than that and are just happy that he's back to progressing well.

 

[Addison Rae]

Virtanen’s “physicality” is grossly overrated but his defensive play and ability to drive possession is underrated, those are actually way more important aspects of ice hockey too.

 

[Shareefruck]

Virtanen’s “physicality” is grossly overrated but his defensive play and ability to drive possession is underrated, those are actually way more important aspects of ice hockey too.

Agreed.

 

[Fire Benning]

Virtanen’s “physicality” is grossly overrated but his defensive play and ability to drive possession is underrated, those are actually way more important aspects of ice hockey too.

Yeah his physicality or destroying opponents on the forecheck isn’t really as prevalent as many like to claim, it’s why the comparisons to Wilson don’t make a ton of sense.

Not saying he’ll never become a player who uses his physicality shift in shift out but right now that isn’t really part of his identity.

 

[DL44]

Yeah his physicality or destroying opponents on the forecheck isn’t really as prevalent as many like to claim, it’s why the comparisons to Wilson don’t make a ton of sense.

Not saying he’ll never become a player who uses his physicality shift in shift out but right now that isn’t really part of his identity.

It's definitely a significant component of his identity, just isn't the defining component people thought it was gonna be...
His identity has shifted to his importance and ability defensively which is an awesome development.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

I've seen it happen frequently.

Its not shifting the goal post. Its just a tool you can use to project.

 

[WestCoast CyberG]

Again. You can be a good player and be a little overrated at the same time.

Indeed, the two are mutually exclusive...yet so far the argument for him being overrated appears rooted in his future playoff performance and/or his size.

Perhaps details on why some feel he is overrated? The local media has been largely responsible for raising his profile but his play so far this year warrants it.

 

[WTG]

Indeed, the two are mutually exclusive...yet so far the argument for him being overrated appears rooted in his future playoff performance and/or his size.

Perhaps details on why some feel he is overrated? The local media has been largely responsible for raising his profile but his play so far this year warrants it.

He has never been PPG in the playoffs at any level.

 

[WestCoast CyberG]

He has never been PPG in the playoffs at any level.

Virtanen is overrated because he wasn’t a PPG player in the WHL playoffs? I don’t think that is any indicator whatsoever on how he will perform for the Canucks in the playoffs.

 

[Cupless44]

Yeah his physicality or destroying opponents on the forecheck isn’t really as prevalent as many like to claim, it’s why the comparisons to Wilson don’t make a ton of sense.

Not saying he’ll never become a player who uses his physicality shift in shift out but right now that isn’t really part of his identity.

He does usually lead the Canucks forwards in hits and does lay out people at times so it cannot be claimed Virtanen does not bring a physical element to his game.

 

[Regress2TheMeme]

We all know he can destroy people with his size and speed and I'm sure we'll see lots more of that in his career. It's great to see him adjust to playing a more normal brand of hockey though because you don't need to build a reputation for yourself by blowing guys up in meaningless games and getting a suspension history a la Wilson, Torres, Cooke, etc. When the Canucks get into post season play I can definitely see him hitting to hurt.

 

[WTG]

Virtanen is overrated because he wasn’t a PPG player in the WHL playoffs? I don’t think that is any indicator whatsoever on how he will perform for the Canucks in the playoffs.

Virtanen needs to prove to be able to raise his game in the playoffs before we can try and project anything about his future NHL playoff success.

 

[bbud]

It's definitely a significant component of his identity, just isn't the defining component people thought it was gonna be...
His identity has shifted to his importance and ability defensively which is an awesome development.

I agree it isn't like he needs to crush opposing players I'm sure even in those board battles they know he's like a tank no one runs JV .
He also has stopped going out looking for a huge hit at times that was getting him caught he now takes it if it's there and plays heavy on forchecks that's all he needs to do .

 

[F A N]

I honestly think his shoulder the type of physical play he was exhibiting in his first training camp / preseason. It's good for Virtanen to pick his spots.

 

[WestCoast CyberG]

Virtanen needs to prove to be able to raise his game in the playoffs before we can try and project anything about his future NHL playoff success.

Totally agree. I personally think he will do well but needs to show it...which means we need to make the playoffs first!

 

[bossram]

Virtanen is overrated because he wasn’t a PPG player in the WHL playoffs? I don’t think that is any indicator whatsoever on how he will perform for the Canucks in the playoffs.

I don't think it is either.

But there also isn't any semblance of evidence whatsoever that JV will be some mythical playoff performer. It's just some a dumb argument all-around.

 

[elitepete]

I think Virtanen will be kinda like Kreider. Maybe not quite as big and fast but a little more physical and a better shooter.

 

[Zombotron]

I hope he posts a video of himself jumping out of a pool so we can talk about that for the next five years

 

[PuckMunchkin]

He now has 1 goal in his last 12 games. (or 3 goals in 25 games)

Can you fellers now at least entertain the idea that JV has not changed much as far has his play with the puck goes?

I still maintain that he had puck luck to start the season and was riding a high from that.


His play away from the puck has IMO improved even if his on ice shot stats don't reflect that when comparing to last years numbers.

 

[Regress2TheMeme]

Some of Virtanens goals were definitely lucky. But he was creating a lot of opportunities to get lucky with his speed. I think he'll always be a streaky player unless he takes a leap forward and learns how to find soft spots in the O-zone.

 

[timw33]

I think Virtanen will be kinda like Kreider. Maybe not quite as big and fast but a little more physical and a better shooter.

Kreider lives in front of the net and gets a ton of tip/rebound goals (similar to Simmonds) and we haven't really seen many Virtanen goals in that manner.

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

I’m just glad he’s a legitimate everyday NHLer. He’s progressing, slowly. Has amazing speed, strength, and wrist shot; it’s unfortunate he doesn’t have elite awareness to go along with those attributes. His overall game has gotten better. I’m content with Jake developing into a solid middle sixer for us at this point.

 

[Hoglander]

Such a colossal disappointment. Anyone without homer goggles could tell he was scoring flukey goals, and now he's right back to the 10-goal bottom 6er he's always gonna be.

Should've let a potato draft instead