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Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW

avelanch

By avelanch
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RonMexico Canucks Second-Line

RonMexico

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14 minutes ago, Spotted Zebra said:

Jake needs to go, his spot is not cemented like Jared's is and would be just as easily replaced by Gaunce seeing as he's not hitting anymore

He doesn't need to go. I think the best place for him is on the Canuck's roster where he is getting the right coaching and mentoring from the players. He needs to work out his game at the NHL level.

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hobart16 Canucks Rookie

hobart16

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I don't know who said it, but anyone who says Virt dogged it in Utica last year is full of it.  If there is one thing you can say about the kid he gives it 100% every shift.  He made an impact when he was on the ice during the Calder Cup and drew penalties, caused turnovers, and when the puck was on his stick the other team was put on its heels.  

The best young player we saw in Utica last year was Dylan Larkin for the Red Wings.  Already was a complete player and was in the top three or four players every night in the games I saw.  He changed the complexion of the Utica series by himself, and is going to be a star in the NHL.  If Virt progresses with his shooting and handling, and I think he will, he has the tools to go as far as he is bigger and faster than Larkin, although right now his offense isn't in Larkin's territory and may never be from a points perspective (Larkin has 10g, 8a in 24 games, 2d on the team behind Zetterberg) but his checking is much better than Larkin's, or any other rookie I've seen for that matter.  A slightly different type of player is all.  

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theminister Canucks All-Star

theminister

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Just spitballing here...but does anyone think its a possibility that Virtanen stays with the team and still doesn't get his 40 games to save his RFA year?

With subbing in and out, and probably getting loaned to the WJC for 3 weeks, he could stay under the threshold. 

I mean, he's playing his 19th game tonight. Maybe he gets 5-8 more before getting called to go to Finland leaving him 13-15 more throughout the rest of the year. 

A short injury and a 'conditioning stint' could add up to the rest of he's only playing 60% of the games. 

Edited by theminister
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hobart16 Canucks Rookie

hobart16

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44 minutes ago, theminister said:

Just spitballing here...but does anyone think its a possibility that Virtanen stays with the team and still doesn't get his 40 games to save his RFA year?

With subbing in and out, and probably getting loaned to the WJC for 3 weeks, he could stay under the threshold. 

I mean, he's playing his 19th game tonight. Maybe he gets 5-8 more before getting called to go to Finland leaving him 13-15 more throughout the rest of the year. 

A short injury and a 'conditioning stint' could add up to the rest of he's only playing 60% of the games. 

I believe it is 40 games where he is available so it doesn't matter if he plays or not.  

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Ilya Mikheyev Canucks First-Line

Ilya Mikheyev

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1 hour ago, theminister said:

Just spitballing here...but does anyone think its a possibility that Virtanen stays with the team and still doesn't get his 40 games to save his RFA year?

With subbing in and out, and probably getting loaned to the WJC for 3 weeks, he could stay under the threshold. 

I mean, he's playing his 19th game tonight. Maybe he gets 5-8 more before getting called to go to Finland leaving him 13-15 more throughout the rest of the year. 

A short injury and a 'conditioning stint' could add up to the rest of he's only playing 60% of the games. 

I think that rule applies for the 9 games, but the 39 game mark is about whether he's on the roster, not if he's scratched. 

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UticaFanPart2 Junior Prospect

UticaFanPart2

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Comet Tales: Virtanen’s Unexpected Debut

(Utica Comets photo by Lindsay A. Mogle)

Jake Virtanen’s first taste of professional hockey was supposed to be simple – then he was inserted into the Utica Comets’ line-up.

As an 18-year-old, and a first round draft pick by the Vancouver Canucks at last year’s NHL Entry Draft (6th overall), Virtanen didn’t expect to see any game time for the Comets. After all, the Comets were battling the Chicago Wolves in American Hockey League’s Calder Cup Western Conference Quarterfinals competition. Coach Travis Green’s lines were set.

Once Virtanen’s juniors team, the Calgary Hitmen were eliminated in the WHL’s Eastern Conference Finals by the Brandon Wheat Kings, a telephone call was answered that would change his life. “Mr. Benning (Vancouver’s General Manager Jim Benning) called,” said Virtanen, who shares both Canadian and Finnish citizenship. “I was told that I would be going to Utica.”

Virtanen, the first born British Columbia-born player selected in the first round by the Canucks since Cam Neely in 1983, figured his role would be a pretty simple one once he reached The AUD. Practicing with the Comets, and at game time having a great view from ice level of what he could expect in the future.

Joining the likes of team captain Cal O’Reilly, or Bobby Sanguinetti on a shift ,or any other Comet player for that matter, was not seriously thought of. Hanging close with Jared McCann, Vancouver’s other first round selection in ’14 (24th overall), had been the norm. Both 18-years-old, they would make their way from their hotel rooms at the Radisson on Genesee Street to The AUD daily.

When Game 6 rolled into The AUD, and Carter Bancks couldn’t go, Virtanen’s name was added to the line-up. “After the first couple of shifts, I got the nerves out,” Virtanen said. “Travis (Green) does a good job on the bench in directing us.”

Not knowing that he would be seeing action in second round playoff competition may have been just the proper introduction for Virtanen. Heading to Utica on May 4, right from the get-go in practice, Virtanen provided a wow moment. During his first on-ice session, Virtanen ripped a shot that ripped clean through the net.

As Virtanen said to the Calgary Herald, in assessing his game plan when learning of his skating in Game 6 – “Keeping it simple, getting it in deep, and being physical”.

Much is expected from Virtanen, both by himself and the Canucks’ organization. Timetables could vary, but the outcome shouldn’t be confused. When returning for his second full season with the Hitmen, Virtanen was projected by The Hockey News to be “a pure goal scorer in the NHL”. After four years in Calgary, and collecting 161 points in 192 games, such expectations from those on the outside looking onto the ice, seem valid.

After game 6 against Oklahoma City, a game in which Utica ultimately came up short, Virtanen met the media. Swarmed by a dozen reporters, clad with cameras and recorders catching his thoughts on life in the AHL,Virtanen displayed the poise of a young man years older.

“It was unbelievable, from start to finish. The intensity was high,” Virtanen explained. “I’m excited to be here for the experience. You have to get used to the crowd noise. I couldn’t hear myself thinking out there. The crowd really motivates the guys in the room.”

With hands on his hips, there was no stammering for words, no deflecting of questions. Virtanen conducted himself as a schooled professional, with but 60 minutes of bench time to his credit. He was also appreciative of being congratulated by his teammates after Game 6, welcoming him to the AHL and for having his first game under his belt.

Jake is the sixth first round draft pick of the Canucks to see ice time in Utica since the start of the regular season. The right winger shoots and hits hard from all angles. Confidence remains his strongest tool in making a difference with his fellow Comets.

“They (Zalewski & Shinkaruk) worked hard to get here (Utica). They have a lot of skill. It’s my job to make space for them,” tells Virtanen, who has lived in Abbotsford,B.C. since he was 12-years-old.

Joining the Comets during a crucial period in their chase for the Calder Cup, as a rookie, could have caused concern to some. But, his fellow teammates know what Jake has to contribute. “He’s got an NHL release. It’s quick, it’s hard, and it’s accurate,”Comets’ defenseman Alex Biega on TSN Radio 1040.

Aside from his Comets’ experience, Jake Virtanen will have a busy summer. Prospects camp is on his schedule, off-season training, then training camp in the City of Prince George located in Northern British Columbia. Wherever the next step is for Virtanen’s growth as a professional, Utica and the Comets will always be remembered as the starting line.

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AlphaHoneyBadger Abbotsford Star

AlphaHoneyBadger

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8 hours ago, Rush17 said:

Hope Jake goes to Finland. Be a great story and give him a chance to excel offensively.  Would love to see maybe Jake and Jared on the same line in Finland.  That would be sick :D

What are you talking about? Neither of them are going to Finland. We have rookie Russian dman playing forward right now. We can't afford to send either guy anywhere. Injuries etc are killing the depth.

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73 Percent Canucks All-Star

73 Percent

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Posted (edited)
23 minutes ago, AlphaHoneyBadger said:

What are you talking about? Neither of them are going to Finland. We have rookie Russian dman playing forward right now. We can't afford to send either guy anywhere. Injuries etc are killing the depth.

And with all the lack of depth and injuries we have jake still sits every other night. I know hes injured right now but when he is in the lineup he is a non factor.  Gaunce/kenins can easily do his job. 

 

Jake does not belong in the nhl right now. At the very least he should go to the world jrs. I will go one step further and say he should be returned to Calgary as well. Zero confidence right now, many players have been ruined this way (nhl too early). Lets not have jake be one of them. K? K. 

Edited by Gooseberries
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