[Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW]

One issue I think that should be receiving more attention is the amount of minor penalties he takes. Many of the penalties like hooking are really odd. I'd expect I high total from a slow center but not a fast winger. I think the amount of penalties he takes would negate any of the offensive positives he'd bring to the fourth line this year.

Virtanen and Torres have followed a similar development path. They are also very similar stylistically. I think he is the closest NHL comparable. Others say E Kane but I think Kane has more offensive ability.

Just stop it man all you have done is whine about him since he has came here. I agree he has not earned a roster spot right now and honestly has not played his game at all this preseason.

He looks tentative with the puck and rarely wants to skate with it which is what he does best. He does not look as confident as he should be and its really showing. With that being said he is barely 19!!! Look at Getzlaf junior career, everyone develops differently stop trying to say he is or isn't something and just wait before b******* non stop.

[Brock Boeser | #6 | RW]

I thought so perhaps as well, but after re-watching some of his interviews...the cool way he (almost) casually flirted with the reporter gal as he walked away with his mic still attached? Seeing some of his interactions at the prospect camp? Especially compared to Virtanen's "mic'd up" segment...Virt really seemed kinda childish, the way he kept repeating his 'Subes, stay on yer feet' & laughed at his own joke? I don't know, he just came off as disingenuous.

I'm reading way, way, WAAAY too much into Virtanen, but I'm damn sure that Boeser is a born star, the guy just oozes confidence...his brother married or engaged to an NFL cheerleader? Clearly there is some elegance stored in his luscious, suave locks, & lord knows that ALWAYS translates to NHL greatness...Jagr anyone? Anyone?

Damn Jagr is sexy.

The way you talk makes me think you are the guy that got the whole "but his facial expressions!" thing started...

[Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW]

i apologize for saying "you" i should have defined it as the Virtanen bandwagon. Personally i don't care. Ill criticize anyone playing bad and praise anyone playing well. I try not to grow attached to specific players. Hopefully JV can have a long career with the canucks scoring goals and crushing kids.

As of right now though there are a handful of players that were selected behind him (that many of us wanted) that had a better first year after draft. Let's hope that changes next year.

Still looks better than MDC lol

Ya i know its tough either way. I agree MDC is still not someone i would want either lol

[Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW]

you just dont get it do you? We will support him, we are supporting him amd he have supported him in the past. Its the lick that we are criticizing. Like canucks army said he was chosen too high. At the time of the pick there were better prospects on the board and it has shown this season.

You guys all seem really sour. Im going to say that most of you know that your wrong but are too proud to admit it. When someone posts facts like how nylander has had a better season statistically in every column including playoffs against men, you all get real butthurt. But when someone blindly comes to Virtanen defense its okay.

I have no doubt nylander has more skill and if both reach their potential nylander gets more points. I also will say i did want ehlers. But once he was drafted it its done. He brings more than just points everyone knows that. Was he picked to high? Maybe only time will tell. I understand everyones point but he is ours and he is a kid give it a break just wait and see. You talk about butt hurt about JV but you sound the same way about nylander. And as for me being butthurt, I am annoyed by everyone criticizing someone so much who isn't even 19. It took the Sedins till 25 to start showing why we picked them, so relax.

[Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW]

Every team desperately needs a fast, big hitting forward who can pot 20-ish goals, but to be completely honest, a 6th overall pick should be able to do much more than become just a 2nd or 3rd line grinder.

Watch Nylander end up on Toronto's first line scoring 30 goals and 80 points a season. That's what you expect with a top-10 pick. If Virtanen can score 30-40 goals in the NHL then he'll have lived up to his expectation. 20 goals and some physical play is just not good enough for the highest pick this team has had since the Sedins. We can get that sort of a player just about anywhere.

If your expectations of Virtanen, a sixth overall pick is to score 40 goals and hit like a truck then you need to be realistic bud. If he could get 40 goals a year and play the way he does he would not just be the best player from the draft but probably the best player in the league. Which is unrealistic expectations for anyone to have on any draft pick short of Mcdavid.

We all get is you wanted Nylander or Ehlers but get over it bud. Jake is ours deal with it and support him and maybe he will just surprise you.

[Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW]

Another hit http://gfycat.com/CanineNippyIrrawaddydolphin

And another https://streamable.com/wcg6

Thanks bud. Really appreciate all the gifs you give us!

[Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW]

Lots of youngster are maybe a bit too full of themselves. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing at that age. They will learn as they make their way that they are not the only ones with talent.

Guys like Travis Green and Willie will have seen all kinds and they will know how to channel it in the right way, not to mention some of the older pros.

Funnily enough I also am fast coming to believe Bo Horvat will be a huge influence on any young players coming in. He seems to talk like a leader, is respectful of his peers and seems a pretty grounded character and tough along with it.

I completely agree. I was thinking the same thing about Virtanen or any rookie that might make the team next year. Horvat seems like he would be an awesome influence and presence for any young player.

[Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW]

In my viewing. The first few games he looked like he was laboring with his left leg. Definitely had a hitch in his stride. Shifts were short, looked tentative. Could be why as a right shot he wasn't attempting to step into any shots either.

Just an observation. If anyone was at the games or is closer to the team they could maybe shed some light on it?

Oh and I'm not making excuses for him. I just noticed a big uptick in his play as the series went on.

I was at the second game and made a post about that earlier. I don't know if it was his leg or what but he was defiantly labouring a bit throughout that game.

[Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW]

I agree with the "he might be injuried part" seems to be avoiding contact on purpose.

I also noticed he was often the last forward to enter the offensive zone and was for the most part above the harsh marks. Isnt your best player suppose to jump into the rush and create offence? Instead of play a "safe" game. Sure he may mess up every now and them but, isnt having a couple for goals to work with better than always being in a 1 goal game?

He absolutely was playing a safer game tonight than usual. Not taking the same chances that usually make him stand out more.

[Bo Horvat | #53 | C]

I don't know what exactly his future is but I am excited every night to watch him. He works hard most every shift, even if he isnt the most flashy player he sure looks like a winner and I'm thrilled we have him.

[Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW]

Most dominant player on either team that seemed "off" his game because he's probably injured in some way and needs to work on some stuff

Sounds legit and not rose-coloured at all

To be honest neither team played great everyone was missing passes left and right and falling away from the puck. It was a poor individual game for most players and a poor team game for both. So it was not difficult for him to be the most dominant player. But that being said something is off with him and he did not look like the same player I have seen the previous five times.

[Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW]

I just got back from the game and here are my thoughts.

Anyone saying he was invisible tonight was a moron by far the most dominant player on either team.

Sam was not very effective this game, he was getting hit alot but did get a few chances.

However back to Virtanen, I will say this I am almost positive he is injured in some way. I have watched him in person now 6 times this year and this game he did seem different. He had alot of shifts that were only 25 seconds or so and did not seem as eager to get back on the ice. A couple times in the corner after the play it looked like he was trying to stretch somthing out and was labouring a bit maybe his back? But with all that being said yes off the score sheet but looked like a gem, does still need to work on his defence a bit.

[Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW]

My Canuck buddies who have relocated to Calgary are season ticket holders their. They have been to 80% of the home games. That echo your statements and also mentioned that he is being shuffled lines every game almost as well. Hard to gel that way.

They love his physical play saying it is more intense than anyone they have seen in a Canucks uni that they can remember. These are nearly 2 decade Canuck season ticket holder's and now transplanted to AB.

Their word is something I hang a lot of weight on with regards to hockey. They say if he can stay healthy and out of the box, he will dominate.

I asked about Kass and Virtanen in a heads up battle, my one buddy said "Kass wishes he was as talented as Virtanen and the physical is multiple times more effective than Kass"

Yup he is a really unique player and without seeing him more than once its hard to see what he brings other than points. Thats exciting to hear your friends say that, its good to see some canuck fans who seem him regularly be so excited.

[Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW]

I have been at 5 Hitmen games this year and only seen him score twice. That being said every single game he was the most dominant and noticeable player on either team. He has awesome vision and makes some really great team plays but not getting a lot of results which IMO was his line mates not being able to read him. He is on a whole different level than them and anybody who has seen him in person would probably agree.