Player Discussion Jake Virtanen

[tantalum]

Virtanen has a shot that will beat NHL goalies. I'd love to see him get more time with some line mates that can set you up. Virtanen and Pettersson could complement each other very nicely if they clicked. Hopefully with the Sedins retiring we'll see some real experimentation happen with the lines.

He has not demonstrated the accuracy control necessary to consistently beat an NHL goaltender. It's a pretty big part of why he only has 17 goals in 140 games.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

He has not demonstrated the accuracy control necessary to consistently beat an NHL goaltender. It's a pretty big part of why he only has 17 goals in 140 games.

I think the shot it self is fine. Its more about where and when he uses it.

 

[Icebreakers]

I think the shot it self is fine. Its more about where and when he uses it.

The only thing fine about his shot is the power. Id love to see him in an accuracy shooting contest.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

The only thing fine about his shot is the power. Id love to see him in an accuracy shooting contest.

Could be, I guess.

 

[Cupless44]

He has not demonstrated the accuracy control necessary to consistently beat an NHL goaltender. It's a pretty big part of why he only has 17 goals in 140 games.

To his credit he has hired a shooting coach and a stick handling coach this off season

 

[Fatass]

To his credit he has hired a shooting coach and a stick handling coach this off season

I see JV having a big year this season. 20 plus goals and 40 plus points. All while being a beast on the forecheck. He will PK too, and play lots of minutes.

 

[CanaFan]

To his credit he has hired a shooting coach and a stick handling coach this off season

To his credit, it's only about 3-4 years later than he should have.

 

[Regress2TheMeme]

He has not demonstrated the accuracy control necessary to consistently beat an NHL goaltender. It's a pretty big part of why he only has 17 goals in 140 games.

He is guilty of wasting some shots when he tries to rush the puck and the chance he was looking for gets closed off. He's got a good release and a hard shot though. Accuracy could be better but I think there's a good chance he'll correct that. The most important thing is he needs to work on his instincts for finding lanes and soft spots in the defense once the play settles into the attacking zone. Could be wishful thinking but he might just need a line mate that can make it really simple for him and take advantage of his tools. Sort of like Bure telling Odjik to go to the post and put his stick on the ice.

 

[DonnyNucker]

To his credit, it's only about 3-4 years later than he should have.

Well the kid is clearly immature. Better late than never and hopefully he finally get what it takes to be a pro

 

[TruGr1t]

Virtanen's shot and skating are clearly quite good. Problem is he's tracking to have offensive awareness to rival Brandon Sutter.

 

[LeftCoast]

I think his shot is still pretty decent, but he struggles to get into prime scoring locations. As a junior he could often beat defenders with his speed or power but this isn't working for him at the NHL level. So he takes a lot of sharp angled shots, gets angled off behind the net or gets in so tight to the goalie that all he can really do is shovel the puck forward. Working on stick handling and being more deceptive should help. It will also help to have linemates who play at the same pace as him, so he has more passing options off the rush.

 

[petrishriekandgo]

 

[Fire Benning]

 

[Josepho]

probably will be overpaid by like 750k but i'm glad to be bringing him back

 

[M2Beezy]

To his credit, it's only about 3-4 years later than he should have.

So youd prefer he didnt do it this summer?

 

[me2]

I think the shot it self is fine. Its more about where and when he uses it.

You mean from a bad angle near the boards against unscreened goalies doesn't work?

 

[iceburg]

20/40 if he gets consistent top 9 minutes and pp time. 12/28 if he gets the same deployment as last year.

 

[82Ninety42011]

Virtanen's shot and skating are clearly quite good. Problem is he's tracking to have offensive awareness to rival Brandon Sutter.

This is so depressing to read I hope he proves you wrong this season. Not a jab at you just depressed as you might be right. I'm hoping he sees some time with Pettersson and Roussel on a line. I see them doing well creating room for Pettersson and scoring a few themselves with Petterssons play making.

 

[M2Beezy]

20/40 if he gets consistent top 9 minutes and pp time. 12/28 if he gets the same deployment as last year.

Pretty much this, and no reason he cant be in our top 9. He earned it and if is true hes really KILLING it this summer then NOONE should be worried about it

 

[Johnny Canucker]

Ok. Let’s take where he was picked out of the equation. Kids not an NHL player regardless.

You said

“If he can figure out .... If he can put together this and that , If this happens”

IF he was gonna do any of those things there’s 95% chance it would have happened by now.

Cue the guys digging up the stats of the odd Draft+5 player that broke out now ...

"Revelation" is a bit much, granted, but he certainly didn't suck. He showed a lot of promise in the last 10-15 games or so. If he can figure out how to effectively utilise his speed and combine that with his physicality he has a chance to become a solid player. You could see his confidence growing in the latter stages of the season and I'm expecting a big improvement from him next season.

If he stagnates then he's entering bust territory. But as of now he's still young and still has potential. The pick is done. We can go on and on about hindsight and how we should have picked differently but there's zero point in dwelling on that now. Instead the team has to figure out how to develop him effectively so that he can be a part of this group going forward. He has the tools to do it.

 

[Cupless44]

To his credit, it's only about 3-4 years later than he should have.

I guess as an 18 year old kid in junior he should have had all the maturity in the world to figure out all the answers in his career.

 

[Hit the post]

I guess as an 18 year old kid in junior he should have had all the maturity in the world to figure out all the answers in his career.

Heck, I'm over 40 and still have matured yet.

 

[CanucksSTM]

Was talking to Jake Saturday night at a concert and he seemed to have zero worries about his contract. Said it's getting worked out and should be done soon. I'm guessing 3 x 2.25M

 

[M2Beezy]

I guess as an 18 year old kid in junior he should have had all the maturity in the world to figure out all the answers in his career.

If this is being sarcastic then i totally agree with you mocking the quoted poster

Hes out to lunch lol

 

[M2Beezy]

Was talking to Jake Saturday night at a concert and he seemed to have zero worries about his contract. Said it's getting worked out and should be done soon. I'm guessing 3 x 2.25M

Cool. Which concert?