snizzle_
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Everything posted by snizzle_
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Well I did say that EDIT: my bad, I didn't proprely structure that response. the "what does that mean" was for the 1st quote. When you're comparing players you always tend to compare them to established NHLers... but obviously the comparable is going to be the benchmark/ideal scenario. Again, i keep stressing that Virtanen and Carter are by no means carbon copies. I just feel like the 3 best assets in Jake's game are comparable to Carter's.
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Demko was everything I hoped and maybe a little more. Even if the americans lost in the quarters, I think the game against Canada showed why Demko was rated the no.1 goalie in the draft. Tough luck with regards to the game today but I think he can do better in scramble situations in front of him. He seems to fall on his ass alot when pucks are scrambled, something us Canucks fans were used to with Luongo and even schneider. I think Price and Quick are the best at that where they get in that crouch position in the butterfly and cover the bottom of the net but then are also able to quickly execute a desperation save if the offensive team is able to get the puck in that scramble. I'm no goalie coach but that's just my 2 cents.
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What does that even mean? Of course two players aren't going to be identical (even the Sedin twins have differences in their game), but all I'm saying is that the way Virtanen fits the Carter mold the best in my eyes because of the 3 characteristics of his game. Exactly Also Carter is in his prime, so his skillset is fully developed, where Virtanen is 18 years old. Could you say that Carter had skillset {A,B,C,D,E,H,F} at 18 years old? Virtanen's skillset is going to mature with age just like any other player in the NHL.
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Yup and yup. I'm not saying they are carbon copies; Virtanen is a more effortless skater and Carter probably has a more accurate shot. However, they can both skate to create separation and they can both hammer a puck. Some of Carter's shots are absolute bullets; I think him and Jake also have very similar releases.
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I'm one of those guys who thinks he plays alot of like Jeff carter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bstxthgxZtQ 1:16 Tell me this guy doesn't scream Virtanen... The speed wide, right handed shot ...Wrap around shot ? I think he's comparable because of the skating style, shot and hockey IQ. Carter and Virtanen aren't going to break you down with their minds but they are going to beat you with their shot and skating. I do think Virtanen is more physical however. The comparison is purely based on offensive capabilities i guess. EDIT: Also funny how he wore #77 in training camp
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Does anyone think he looks like Antti Niemi? The flexibility, and the way he stands in goal? I don't mean for it to be an insult its just the type of goaltending style i see him playing right now. Thought he had a great game.
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I completely agree! He can flat out skate and play but when they play the "half-court" type game that say Reinhart likes to play, Jake seems to get lost. His puck protection along the boards needs work too. I just want to see him just rip one this tourney. One of those shots where the goalie looks back at his net in sheer awe and amazement.
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I thought Jake was wearing #77 in the green jerseys when he was skating with the canucks this training camp (Not contact obviously).
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A couple of thoughts that I accumulated throughout the game: 1. First off, what the fuck was up with him switching sticks/tap jobs 5 or 6 times over the course of the game. You see it when a player goes cold and wants to shake it up between periods. (This is purely observation and really has no meaning to it its just weird that he seemed to alternate every couple shifts haha) 2. Virtanen is so dangerous off the rush. His speed creates so many problems for defenders that it seems to open the ice up so much. 3. I think it was about time Virtanen started getting some recognition as he got to play with McDavid. Although i thought he didn't particularly play well with him to start (some bad breakout passes/decisions), he really settled in after he got a few reps (The nice backhand pass to McDavid in stride), and that's to be expected because they never played together before. 4. Although he got moved up to McDavid's line, I didn't think he was playing all that well AT THE TIME. He had a great start, with a breakaway and some good hits/forecheck but as someone mentioned above, bad habits crept in and he tried to carry the puck too much and he got poked check a few times. We all know he isn't the best at stick handling himself into a better scoring chance but I guess you're gonna have some troubles when your moving as fast as he does haha. 5. One thing no one has really talked about is his board play. He's shown some good things but he's also shown some bad decision making. He doesn't necessarily have great puck protection; he likes to explode into a player rather than leaning on a guy, but he's good at reading the corners and moving it up to the point when necessary. 6. Lastly, I think think his vision and hockey IQ have taken great leaps this year. Yes, he could have passed it to Fabbri and McDavid out front on that one play but what isn't being talked about is his sound offensive positioning and creativity. BobbyMac said it, Virtanen has started to show some good creativity in his game and its creating a lot of chances and his vision has improved in my eyes. I thought he was a floater for much of the Super Series and some Hitmen games that I watched, but in the first 2 games of the tournament I think he's done well to support offensive attacks but get back to be the 3rd guy high when there wasn't a clear chance. In summary, I like his progression this tournament, and I really hope he continues to play with McDavid. It looks like McDavid is passing more than he's shooting and we all know the shot that Virtanen posses. It could be a match made in heaven. BONUS: I am so glad that Groulx has realized how bad Ritchie and Gauthier are for this team. Like its a pain to watch Gauthier play, there's no other way to put it. Ritchie, that pilsbury dough boy, is so undisciplined and is out of breath after warm up.
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I don't like the david booth comparison either. Just because they can both skate fast doesn't mean they are comparable, just because they both have physicality in their game doesn't mean they are comparable. They way they put it all together is different. Virtanen is a quick, fast skater with explosive speed who is very light of his feet. Booth was fast but strong on his skates and was more of a "lean of you" guy where as Virtanen wants to go through you. I really like the Jeff Carter comparison, just the way they both look on the ice and the way they play.
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As long as he gets the net for the majority of the tournament, I'll be happy considering this is his last chance at the WJC.
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I liked ur idea of putting Paul down with Virtanen and Crouse. That's a big line that can shoot, skate and be physical. Gauthier is honestly just deadweight out there, he has no offensive instincts and he even seems to lack defensive quickness; his reach is the only thing that gives him any defensive prowess. I'm actually so surprised/happy that the Leafs picked this guy in the 1st round... just makes it even sweeter.
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Favourites doesn't necessarily mean draft order, it means that he's neglecting players who have performed well so far for players who haven't. I think a Fabbri Petan Virtanen line could be very good. You say having a 4th line full of lefties is bad... So you're saying a 3rd line full of lefties is better?
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I starting to lean towards that as well. I mean Fabbri is good but he hasn't really done anything aside from his 1st game in the CIS game. I just dont understand why he'd bump off Virtanen, one of 3 right handed forwards on the team, off the 3rd line right wing spot. Even a, Fabbri Petan Virtanen 3rd line seems better. While Nic Paul has been good, I don't think having him slotted in as a 3rd line center because he played 1 good game is fair to any other center.
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Watched the highlights and he made a very nice moved to beat ortio high short side. Very John Tavares 09' WJC vs. USA esk
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I wouldn't mind him playing with Petan either, and two local boys to boot. I feel like if McDavid doesn't find chemistry with Fabbri like the "old days" then Virtanen might get a chance there. McDavid is exceptional is all areas of the game and that includes speed, which surprisingly gets overlooked sometimes. Virtanen - McDavid - Lazar seems like a line that can do everything. Correct me if I'm wrong but Virtanen has played the left side?
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I was at the game tonight and I couldn't agree more! His instincts and puck protection in the offensive zone are coming along quite nicely but you're so right about him being passive. It seems that when he's breaking out he's too scared there's going to be a turnover that he isn't joining the rush in till he's 100% sure the puck is getting out of the zone. While that's smart in a sense, the center needs to push the pressure up to alleviate pressure on the wingers, so in turn, if he's not moving he's putting more pressure on his wingers to get the puck out. The fact that he's doesn't explode out of the defensive zone is fine though because that can be taught where defensively instincts are much harder to teach.
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To start off. A lot can change in a short tournament. If one of those top 6 players cools off, the coach will not hesitate to mix things up, everyone knows that. Hopefully Virtanen plays a very hard game on that 3rd line and gets an opportunity if the top 6 offence cools off.
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Thanks. The 4th line has been playing more in their own zone lately, but I guess the entire team hasn't been playing that well either. Do you guys think its time for Bo to get a crack at the 3rd line? Richardson has definitely cooled off and hasn't done much since that scoring tear. He's making good plays with the puck and you can tell he wants the puck in the offensive zone. Hansen, no matter how hard he tries, doesn't have the vision; he had one heck of a shift though in that clip. Offensive instincts are starting to come.
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Also, Wasn't "Craig" the goalie for the Miracle on Ice team that won gold at the 1980 Olympics for USA?
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I thought the whole point of drafting a goalie in the NCAA is that you know he's going to be simmering for awhile before he comes into the organization; why Calgary opted for MacDonald. Also, we have such a log jam of goalies in the organization that it wouldn't make sense to sign the kid. I think its a baseless move but again, like above mentioned, weird that it is happening during the christmas break.
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Ritchie is also a year older than Virtanen and a year more developed. So happy we took Jake instead of Ritchie. I agree with the Kassian comparisons for Ritchie but Virtanen also tends to float alot without the puck
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http://canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=737344&navid=DL|VAN|home I'm a little disappointed but it is purely for selfish reasons. I wanted to see Bo win Gold on home soil and come back a beast, but in the end its better for the team in the short-run and long-run, according to JB.
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Order of the lines/Colours of the jerseys aside. Does the line Virtanen is on look like a top 2 line? He's not playing with Reinhart or McDavid so his line is the 3rd at best. So I think it does mean something. It may not be the concrete lines but HC is trying to develop chemistry.