uselessstats Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 But it's not about expecting out of Virtanen, rather about expecting out of a 6th overall in general. I don't blame him for being picked where he was, but I do understand that we have that need and the concerns we have - minor or not - over Virtanen and his development aren't helped so far by a player or two that were available right after. Sure and it's fair and reasonable to base your expectations on where Jake was selected (6th) and who else was available at that spot. I said as much in my earlier post. I simply don't believe that people need to keep referencing Jake as the highest pick since the Sedins when talking about what they expect out of him. I understand the temptation to do so because as you said we badly need him to turn out. But that's on the Vancouver Canucks, not Jake Virtanen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nergish Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 But it's not about expecting out of Virtanen, rather about expecting out of a 6th overall in general. I don't blame him for being picked where he was, but I do understand that we have that need and the concerns we have - minor or not - over Virtanen and his development aren't helped so far by a player or two that were available right after. Jake is a fast, physical sniper. How is that not what our team needs, regardless of his point totals? I really like Ehlers and Nylander, but if those guys aren't putting up points, they're useless. If Jake isn't putting up points, he's probably grinding the other team into the boards, getting in people's faces, and making our team more intimidating overall. He is EXACTLY what our team needs and has needed for a while now. You want soft skill, we have Baertschi, Shinkaruk, McCann. Bo and Jake have offensive upside, but they also open the ice up for our softies. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiggs50 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Jake is a fast, physical sniper. How is that not what our team needs, regardless of his point totals? I really like Ehlers and Nylander, but if those guys aren't putting up points, they're useless. If Jake isn't putting up points, he's probably grinding the other team into the boards, getting in people's faces, and making our team more intimidating overall. He is EXACTLY what our team needs and has needed for a while now. You want soft skill, we have Baertschi, Shinkaruk, McCann. Bo and Jake have offensive upside, but they also open the ice up for our softies.Ehlers has a pretty good 2 way game. But of course Virtanen will have a bigger impact without the puck cause of his physical play. Agree with the rest you said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoneypuckOverlord Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Jake is a fast, physical sniper. How is that not what our team needs, regardless of his point totals? I really like Ehlers and Nylander, but if those guys aren't putting up points, they're useless. If Jake isn't putting up points, he's probably grinding the other team into the boards, getting in people's faces, and making our team more intimidating overall. He is EXACTLY what our team needs and has needed for a while now. You want soft skill, we have Baertschi, Shinkaruk, McCann. Bo and Jake have offensive upside, but they also open the ice up for our softies. He's pretty much the prototype player Canuck fans,fantasize, about drafting. A big power forward winger that hits, scores goals, and is a b.c boy. How,often do the Canucks have a chance to draft a player like that? Virtannen is one the nastiest body slamming player I've personally seen since Dion Phaneuf from the 2005 world juniors. Jake is obviously not the most offensive player on the table when benning was going up, but I truly believe, he was the best choice at number 6. Nylander and ehlers, are question marks so far, but we have our ehlers in Sven baertchi, we also drafted a better player then them in boesser. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nave Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I like Ehlers, but I think Virtanen was the kind of player we had to draft. He's a BC kid. If we didn't get him everybody would be crying about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 But it's not about expecting out of Virtanen, rather about expecting out of a 6th overall in general. I don't blame him for being picked where he was, but I do understand that we have that need and the concerns we have - minor or not - over Virtanen and his development aren't helped so far by a player or two that were available right after. I guess you're referring to Ritchie. Yes, I do believe Ritchie could become a very good NHL player. I was shocked that Toronto did not take Ritchie, but went with a little guy with bust potential. That's TO for you. I hate the Leafs, and hope they continue to make mistakes like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 It has a bearing since if we aren't picking that high in other drafts (one 9th and two 10th overalls in between the Sedins and Virtanen) then we'd better hope we get someone who can really fill a void offensively we have in our prospect pool. So yes, it does matter. Curious, I thought you were more aware of the direction the team is headed? It's pretty apparent Benning plans to build similar to Boston with no real outstanding, traditional, star laden 1st line. I mean if a bonafide 1st line super star happens to fall in our laps, I doubt Benning complains but he's clearly building a 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B style of lineup with fairly equal talent throughout. We're not likely to have many (any?) players with 70+ points (after the Sedins anyway) but we should have boat loads of 40-60 point guys throughout the lineup (which also makes covering for injuries, slumps etc easier and keep salaries lower). Big, fast, hard working, tenacious 2 way play with some skill. That's the Canucks moving forward and Virtanen at #6 is a far better fit within that plan than anyone else we could have selected there IMO. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ice orca Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I guess you're referring to Ritchie. Yes, I do believe Ritchie could become a very good NHL player. I was shocked that Toronto did not take Ritchie, but went with a little guy with bust potential. That's TO for you. I hate the Leafs, and hope they continue to make mistakes like that.It'S hard to take guys like you serious, Nylander has outperformed Virtanen at every level so far. Virtanen is a great pick for the Canucks but to blatently run down Nylander shows either you are just trolling or haven't got a clue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off_The_Schneid! Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 It'S hard to take guys like you serious, Nylander has outperformed Virtanen at every level so far. Virtanen is a great pick for the Canucks but to blatently run down Nylander shows either you are just trolling or haven't got a clue. At every level? They have never played in the same league Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ice orca Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 At every level?They have never played in the same leagueI understand that and should have clarified it. We are going to find out weather Virtanen was the right pick in the next 3-4 years vs Nylander, Ehlers. or Ritchie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 It'S hard to take guys like you serious, Nylander has outperformed Virtanen at every level so far. Virtanen is a great pick for the Canucks but to blatently run down Nylander shows either you are just trolling or haven't got a clue. I happen to think Jake's game will transfer to the NHL. I have concerns about Nylander's game doing so. One way offencive guys like Nylander had better be putting up points close to Patrick Kane levels, because they do little else to impact a game. If that offence does not transfer, the prospect can certainly bust. IMO. We have a guy here now, who put up big numbers in junior and in the AHL - Vey. I am usually a big Canuck's supporter, but don't really see a spot for him, because his scoring did not transfer, and he can't impact a game any other way. now this is a Virtanen thread, and I believe the kid will be a star power forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamJamIam Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 (edited) Here's a thought to help everyone calm down. We could have taken MDC at #5 Edited August 25, 2015 by SamJamIam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senpai Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Here's a thought to help everyone calm down. We could have taken MDC at #5 I remember hearing a rumor around draft time that someone close with MDC said he HATES the Canucks, as in MDC would never, ever want to be a Canuck, ever. I don't know if he was right or just trolling but eh, just throwing it out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Here's a thought to help everyone calm down. We could have taken MDC at #5 I'm thinking there have been plenty of top picks that just fizzle out, or they change their game to stay in the NHL. That's why I love the Virtanen pick. His game is perfect for the faster, and tougher new NHL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 (edited) Curious, I thought you were more aware of the direction the team is headed? It's pretty apparent Benning plans to build similar to Boston with no real outstanding, traditional, star laden 1st line. I mean if a bonafide 1st line super star happens to fall in our laps, I doubt Benning complains but he's clearly building a 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B style of lineup with fairly equal talent throughout. We're not likely to have many (any?) players with 70+ points (after the Sedins anyway) but we should have boat loads of 40-60 point guys throughout the lineup (which also makes covering for injuries, slumps etc easier and keep salaries lower). Big, fast, hard working, tenacious 2 way play with some skill. That's the Canucks moving forward and Virtanen at #6 is a far better fit within that plan than anyone else we could have selected there IMO. Oh sure, but doesn't mean I have to like it - particularly when the top pick/prospect we have has some question marks about his offensive ceiling. I'm not looking forward to watching a hard working team that doesn't have enough offence and has trouble winning games. It'd be nice to find that Sedins-like balance between the old WCE days and a team full of 200 ft players. It'S hard to take guys like you serious, Nylander has outperformed Virtanen at every level so far. Virtanen is a great pick for the Canucks but to blatently run down Nylander shows either you are just trolling or haven't got a clue. Wow, the Ritchie comment was in reply to my post? Wow. Yeah, not referring to Ritchie... I wouldn't go so far as to say Nylander has outperformed Virtanen at every level or is a clear cut winner at this point, but his offensive production is certainly impressive. He still has work to do to show he can continue to compete physically (where Jake has shown he's absolutely ready on that front) but Nylander was definitely my preferred choice even if he isn't what this management team is looking for. Edited August 25, 2015 by elvis15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 I'm not looking forward to watching a hard working team that doesn't have enough offence and has trouble winning games. It'd be nice to find that Sedins-like balance between the old WCE days and a team full of 200 ft players. Who says what we're building towards, won't? That actually sounds fairly close to where we appear to be headed. We do have skill coming in (though our D is certainly suspect there) but otherwise we look to be becoming quite balanced. Speed, size, skill... tenacious attack with leadership and determination as hallmarks. Sure none of our guys may be offensive juggernauts with mantles full of individual scoring awards but it's not like we have no skill coming up either. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herberts Vasiljevs Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Guys, we picked Virtanen. He's the one. Virtanen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 (edited) At this point I don't see enough of a chance of the high end skill we'd need to really be successful. It'll be nice if it happens, and we do have some very good young players and prospects, but I'm not exactly sold that the future is completely rosy now that our older players are starting to move on. Guys, we picked Virtanen. He's the one. Virtanen. Yeah, not sure why the pro-Virtanen crowd keeps bringing him up. It's not helping their case. Edited August 25, 2015 by elvis15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 At this point I don't see enough of a chance of the high end skill we'd need to really be successful. It'll be nice if it happens, and we do have some very good young players and prospects, but I'm not exactly sold that the future is completely rosy now that our older players are starting to move on. Yeah, not sure why the pro-Virtanen crowd keeps bringing him up. It's not helping their case. Baer, Shinkaruk, Gaunce, Kenins at LW. Sutter, Horvat,, McCann, Cassels at C. Virtanen, Boesser, Jensen, Grenier at RW. And that's without any further trades, drafts or UFA's. And it's without considering the Sedins who are around for another 3 years minimum and likely putting up 60-70 points. You don't think there's enough projected/likely skill in there to score at a decent rate from at least the top 9? Again, I don't see one guy racking up points but I see good depth scoring throughout that which is far harder to defend against/shut down. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Baer, Shinkaruk, Gaunce, Kenins at LW. Sutter, Horvat,, McCann, Cassels at C. Virtanen, Boesser, Jensen, Grenier at RW. And that's without any further trades, drafts or UFA's. And it's without considering the Sedins who are around for another 3 years minimum and likely putting up 60-70 points. You don't think there's enough projected/likely skill in there to score at a decent rate from at least the top 9? Again, I don't see one guy racking up points but I see good depth scoring throughout that which is far harder to defend against/shut down. I did not think of the way you projected Benning's plan. I must say your idea sounds like a winner. Can we get lucky and get an elite D to go with that group? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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