VanNuck Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Virtanen worked on cycling a bit last year. I don't think he would be with the Sedins right away, but he very well could be in two years. Virtanen's ability to jus launch guys trying to hit him would meld well with the Sedins. Playing with other players could teach him how to forecheck, playing with the Sedins could teach him how to use his teammates. He wouldn't necessarily play with them in the playoffs, but it could be very good for his development. It gives us options. Yeah, you see the Sedin's reliance on cycling makes them easy to defend - all you have to do is cut off the passing lane between them (not like Gretzky who wouldn't exclusively pass to Kurri, or take the shot himself), or play them physically. A north-south Virtanen on their wing should complement them by at least warding off defenders, or even helping altar their usual game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 i think what we can all agree on is that we would like to see every player, (bar maybe Sbisa) play an exhibition game with the twins. I'd actually be curious to see Kenins play with the twins. He reminds me of a young Burrows. Plays a simple game and knows how to get open and shoot. Could work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nave Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Yeah, you see the Sedin's reliance on cycling makes them easy to defend - all you have to do is cut off the passing lane between them (not like Gretzky who wouldn't exclusively pass to Kurri, or take the shot himself), or play them physically. A north-south Virtanen on their wing should complement them by at least warding off defenders, or even helping altar their usual game. Yeah it's not as if the Sedins are bad on the rush. They're near the best I've seen in terms of moving the puck up the ice fast. Having a fast guy who can shoot can be deadly with outlet passes. You bring up a great point with their shooting hands too. I think we should see how Burrows goes with Sutter, and then Virt with the Sedins could have serious consideration. We don't have many puckmoving defensemen but Virtanen's north south style might help there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
messier's_elbow Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I'd actually be curious to see Kenins play with the twins. He reminds me of a young Burrows. Plays a simple game and knows how to get open and shoot. Could work. No harm in trying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyCuddles Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I am not sure we should throw Jake on the Sedin line right out of the gate. They will likely eat 18-20 minutes and face the toughest competition. Assuming Jake proves he is ready this season sliding him in the 3rd/4th line which would eat 10-13 minutes against so-so competition might be more beneficial. He is super young there is no rush to make him a top 6 player. Let him learn the system and get his feet wet with little expectations in the bottom 6. Maybe throw him some PP time with his wicked shot, being right handed is also a plus. No rush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeslerPlaysLikeACanadian Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Virtanen is not a great match with the Sedin's. Capable - yes, good match - no. The most ideal person to play with them will be in 2 years while their second line players. They can mentor Brock Boeser during his first year. Show him how to be a pro, while his style of being right shot/lethal shot/ability to get open to take those shots. The Sedins main need in a linemate is someone to get the pucks for them. Vrbata couldn't do that. It has to be someone fast who does good work in the corners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73 Percent Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 The Sedins main need in a linemate is someone to get the pucks for them. Vrbata couldn't do that. It has to be someone fast who does good work in the corners.sweet. Lets but hansen back on that line then... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeslerPlaysLikeACanadian Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 sweet. Lets but hansen back on that line then... Err...no. Let's hope that never happens again. I don't mean just any grinder. I just mean not a pure skill guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baumerman77 Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 The Sedins need guys like that have high hockey IQ and that are good in the corners. We've tried big players (Kassian, Pyatt, Benier) all with differing skill-sets and they haven't worked out great. We've tried pure skill guys (Demitra, Vrbata) and they've been OK. Burrows (and to a lesser extent Carter) has complemented them the best squeezing out more production retaliative to being away from the Sedins than the rest of their wingers. This is largely due to his high hockey IQ and ability to cycle. Unfortunately, Virtanen isn't a high hockey IQ guy, at least not right now and in the sense of positioning and play-making. Sure the Sedins would make him better, but he'd likely make the Sedins worse (in comparison to another winger like Vrbata and Burrows). They might line up together on the second line in 2-3 years but not right now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyoung Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Err...no. Let's hope that never happens again. I don't mean just any grinder. I just mean not a pure skill guy. Burrows is still currently the best fit. I honestly don't see anyone else fitting there at the moment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horvat Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 i really want to see this line during an exabition game: Kenins - Horvat - Virtanen and hopefully this lineup come game 1: Sedin - Sedin - Sedin Baertschi - Sutter - Vrbata Kenins - Horvat - Virtanen Prust - Friesen - Dorsett Edler - Tanev Hamhuis - Sbisa Bartkowski - Weber Corrado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) The Sedins need guys like that have high hockey IQ and that are good in the corners. We've tried big players (Kassian, Pyatt, Benier) all with differing skill-sets and they haven't worked out great. We've tried pure skill guys (Demitra, Vrbata) and they've been OK. Burrows (and to a lesser extent Carter) has complemented them the best squeezing out more production retaliative to being away from the Sedins than the rest of their wingers. This is largely due to his high hockey IQ and ability to cycle. Unfortunately, Virtanen isn't a high hockey IQ guy, at least not right now and in the sense of positioning and play-making. Sure the Sedins would make him better, but he'd likely make the Sedins worse (in comparison to another winger like Vrbata and Burrows). They might line up together on the second line in 2-3 years but not right now. Pretty much this. As I said a page or two ago, Virtanen's speed and physicality would certainly be assets with (or without) the twins but even though his 'IQ' is better than a lot of people here give him credit for, it's nowhere near where Burrows or Vrbata's at this point. Sure he could go in with speed banging and crashing but once he does that, he's going to be way behind those other two guys (who are currently better options) on where to go, what to do with/without the puck, cycling, reading the play etc. If we're playing him anywhere in the top 9, his North/South and speed game is a far better match with the likes of Baer/Sutter, Horvat/Hansen etc. That said, I fully expect him to at least start on the 4th line if he makes the big club and be eased in with low expectations, responsibility and pressure. We're not Edmonton, we don't need to (nor are we better off) rushing him in to a high pressure top 6 role. If, by the end of the year, he's on the third line and 2nd PP, he's doing FANTASTIC IMO. Burrows is still currently the best fit. I honestly don't see anyone else fitting there at the moment.Agreed. Edited September 3, 2015 by J.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roflcawptur Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 i really want to see this line during an exabition game: Kenins - Horvat - Virtanen and hopefully this lineup come game 1: Sedin - Sedin - Sedin Baertschi - Sutter - Vrbata Kenins - Horvat - Virtanen Prust - Friesen - Dorsett Edler - Tanev Hamhuis - Sbisa Bartkowski - Weber Corrado What happened to Higgins, Hansen and Vey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borvat Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) I agree he should be a RW. But RW looks harder to crack (Burrows, Vrbata, Hansen, Dorsett and Vey when not playing center.). Like I said in an earlier post he would have to change his style and even if he did he would largely be ineffective. Better to not burn a year on his ELC and UFA eligibility and take a slow and steady approach. I think Benning will want him on the team but I don't think WD will want him on the team this year. Well, Vrbata will likely be gone at or before the trade deadline. Vey really doesn't fit in my opinion. I think he will be gone if he underperforms early. That leaves a spot for Jake. He already plays like a man ala Horvat. I think he is better off playing against men being mentored by professionls. He can't do that in the AHL so I think he makes the team unless he isn't ready. Edited September 3, 2015 by Borvat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 What happened to Higgins, Hansen and Vey? We've also evidently cloned a Sedin (which I'm all for, for the record). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seven pounds soft Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 i really want to see this line during an exabition game: Kenins - Horvat - Virtanen and hopefully this lineup come game 1: Sedin - Sedin - Sedin Baertschi - Sutter - VrbataKenins - Horvat - VirtanenPrust - Friesen - Dorsett Edler - Tanev Hamhuis - Sbisa Bartkowski - Weber Corrado Was this lineup proposal made at McDonald's because I'm loving it 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry Goose Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 i really want to see this line during an exabition game: Kenins - Horvat - Virtanen and hopefully this lineup come game 1: Sedin - Sedin - Sedin Baertschi - Sutter - Vrbata Kenins - Horvat - Virtanen Prust - Friesen - Dorsett Edler - Tanev Hamhuis - Sbisa Bartkowski - Weber Corrado I don't know why you would take Hansen off of Horvat's wing, really those two made the line go with Kenins doing a good support job and getting open. Hansen and Horvat really compliment each other because they are excellent 2 way players with speed, and you can tell when one guy is going the others feed off of it. I expect big things from Kenins this season too. What the Canucks really need is a guy like Prust who can actually play C between Dorsett and Virtanen. Just play a simple North South game, forcheck hard and hem the other team in their zone. Virtanen is a good enough player that he'll put the puck in the neck, and he'll be mentored and backed up well by those two. All IMO of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edlerberry Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Whereas maybe you showcase Greinier and you trade him later for another asset, Grenier plus a 5th for a 6th maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHitman Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Vey-Horvat-Hansen will be a good line for the Canucks in 2015/16. Virtanen slots in beside Prust and Dorsett. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollieo Del Fuego Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) i really want to see this line during an exabition game: Kenins - Horvat - Virtanen and hopefully this lineup come game 1: Sedin - Sedin - Sedin Baertschi - Sutter - Vrbata Kenins - Horvat - Virtanen Prust - Friesen - Dorsett Edler - Tanev Hamhuis - Sbisa Bartkowski - Weber Corrado So there was 3 twins all the time...they should last many more years with one of the triplets resting at any given time... Edited September 3, 2015 by Rollieo Del Fuego Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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