BeefGormley

We need a goal scorer. We got one. Virtanen/McCann/Vey Shinkaruk/Horvat/Jensen. Still solid well rounded line-up. I still love this pick. And Virtanen registered 2 points yesterday. Has 8 points in 8 games played. 2 goals, 6 assists. -2, and 8 pims. http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=149178

Craig Button? He's the dude that rated and projected Virtanen to go to the 40th something pick in 2014 draft. If anything I think Craig Button's IQ of projecting prospects is 2/5.

I have watched Virtanen these past few games. His skating ability as well as his shot is truly impressive. We really don't have players with shoot-first mentality. Only problem last few games was that he made a few sloppy plays in his own zone which led to a goal. I think that game was in Medicine Hat. Still, he's used on the PK and is very reliable.

When I looked at these games on the schedule, they didn't seem frightening at first. But after you explained it and elaborated, it's scary af. Here's my intake on this. Horvat as many of you have mentioned has no points, but getting lots of opportunities to score. I've watched him play in Utica and he really does look faster than he was in training camp. A few negatives are that his faceoff stats don't look superb and his offensive finishing skills as well as his consistency seemed to lack(sometimes bobbles the puck on a few scoring chances etc) during his tenure. When someone goes through injury, we might expect these kinds of things, especially our rookies and prospects. He's been, well, under the bus lately and we need to either send him to junior, or get his 9 games ASAP. I want Horvat playing as a lot games. If he's called up to our NHL team, whats the point? Would WD want to switch our winning line up? Most likely not, but with the suspension of Burrows, that could be possible that Horvat will be called up since Sestito isn't much of an improvement(other than physicality which we will need in the California games). So he would then get scratched, (gets lesser games played) which might also stunt his growing. I say give him a few games and if he isn't doing much, throw him in the OHL and let him develop there. Might point is, he needs to play a lot, get improving, work on his bad habits, etc. If he's getting few games here and there, that will be a waste and could hinder his develop since he won't be getting anywhere. And I really don't want that to happen to our arguably best prospect (not named Virtanen) IMO.

If Vey keeps doing what he's doing on the PP, then why not give him some chance with the Sedins since he plays with them on the PP? Dank/Hank/Vey Kassian/Bonino/Vrbata Higgins/Horvat/Burrows Matthias/Richardson/Hansen Dorsett(when playing against tough teams he subs in with one of the 4th liners) Giving Horvat quality players will definitely help him instead of him being placed with one dimensional players. That second line could work out because both Vrbata and Bonino are finishers and Kassian can feed them the puck with his passing ability which is I believe the best here in this organization not named Sedin. Kassian can also bring that heavy, hitting presence into the top 6 which we need against heavy weight teams in the west. Higgins and Burrows have been great thus far and I think they can bring that mentor-ship to Horvat. Better to give the young guys like Kassian, and Vey a chance in the top 6 so they can improve and become better players. The older guys like Higgins and Burrows have great leadership and I strongly believe it will help Horvat in the long run. And that fourth line would look very great. A great shutdown line that can shutdown top lines if they play to their full potential. So all in all, I think Horvat should NOT go back to OHL. Let him stay here after his utica stint and get some games. Just my two cents worth.

LOL! Man I love this guy.

Virtanen gets one goal and one assist.

Can't wait for the potential Virtanen/Horvat/Jensen line.

6'1... 216 pounds? That's great. I hope his speed isn't a problem.

Maybe Patrice Bergeron?

Woohoo, can't wait to see him play soon!