Rob_Zepp

No head hanging Jan.....how else would have I had the chance to post my Marchand tape?

Looks like it won't for much longer. Apparently the guy suing him for sexual assault after turning down a six figure settlement has come forward with lots of independent witnesses. Lemon will be one less hypocrite to have to watch for those who can stomach CNN. Would be nice if a few Faux types would join Lemon and others....guess Matt Lauer will have lots of company!

Neither player will sign a one year deal Jan. Neither has to prove anything at NHL level to secure a long-term deal as both deals may be respective last deals (and more than certainly last major deals) in their careers. Absolutely nothing in it for them or security for their families. Sorry, this one is a swing and a miss.

It did but that is the nature of it - give up two expendables that pinch a bit versus one that leaves a mark. That is approach I think Canucks will take and Seattle will be happy to oblige. Those GMs that got hit hard lost players that they gave up on too soon. Canucks have some risk there but not to the degree in that is there really a WK waiting in the wings?

Yup, he will be but so will so many other goalies that are exposed. Again, Canucks are far more vulnerable up front for this draft and therefore will make a deal. You didn't respond to what the reference to Vegas was all about but looking back, guessing you just used them instead of Seattle.

Exactly!

What does Vegas have to do with this? They are exempt from the draft entirely. Further, and as much as I like Demko, not sure he is in that class quite yet you show nor is the plan for Seattle as clear as you imply it will be. They will more than likely go with experience in net and draft their own future goalie as that simply is more in line with how you get a franchise up and running. For what it is worth, I would protect Demko and expose Marky - even if the latter is playing great on a reasonable contract - assuming Demko has more than 80 games under his belt by then and has crept a consistent sv % into the .912 to .917 range.

Depends. Some of the internet tough guys that post I suspect would have a hard time knocking down a 13 year old pile of newspaper let alone send a teenager flying? All depends on teh human inside the costume. Not everyone can deliver a punch - I keep imagining someone like this being a guy who takes on the job of a being mascot. Some guys play, some guys watch and some guys put on costumes and try and push little kids I guess.

Well said Alf.

I missed you Alf! While he may not retire, he is owed almost nothing in salary and is an attractive option for a team near the floor next two seasons after this and I expect him to be moved just for that reason (to a team with cap space). Canucks will have to sweeten and now that they have depth in Utica they can do just that. Could be a package with Baer and a decent prospect like a Madden or similar.

You're just adorable!

You also forgot the rules re. number of games in NHL for some of the names. Again, I think Canuck management will sort out someone to expose that will be aided by a deal with Seattle and that is why I think it will cost two assets and I don't think either will be a goalie.

I guess you are not one of those "don't try this at home" sort of guys.....

A direct quote from the review was this "he also has good hockey sense and the ability to get open and elude defenders. " Not sure how you interpret that.....

Some guys just won't align themselves with the popular narrative. Sucks I guess.

Which includes work and persona in the community. Absolutely it does.

I will join the Seattle management team and get back to you right away. Look, in all seriousness do the homework. Look at each team's goalie depth and you will see there is nothing that pops out with the Canucks. Marky and Demko are solid for sure but not top 5 in either the starter or the heir apparent so why would Seattle "settle" when there will be lots of other opportunities? Canucks are more vulnerable for a position player to be lost. Many teams have a starter and two capable NHL ready back ups....Canucks do not.

Out of curiosity, why? Kid is a stud. He can flat out fly, plays with a lot of edge and has decent hands. Seen something in the game specifically you don't like? Having been lucky enough to see him live a few times can say he already looks like an NHL player in many ways including physically. Again, always interested to know what others are seeing I am not. I think Canucks got a real good one here personally. Fan favourite written all over him the way he plays.

It is often of interest when a player is close to emerging (I think Jake is still one season away from fully emerging) to look back on his projection while he was still an undrafted prospect. Ben is an engaging guy and knows prospects well without ever being too far wrong or ever over hyping anyone from my experience. Here is an article on Jake he put together in 2014. Of note for those who like to continue the false narrative, Ben emphasizes Jake's "good hockey sense". I find it interesting that if you flash forward six years how Ben talks about his emergence in the WHL has a familiar ring to how he is emerging in the NHL. Would be really nice if 45 goal WHL Jake became 25-30 goal NHL Jake along with the strong D play and general physical nature he possesses. Top Shelf Prospects 2014 - Jake Virtanen 2014 NHL Draft Profile #11: Jake Virtanen By Ben Kerr - April 12, 2014 1 Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2014 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Sports is your new headquarters for everything “Draft”! For a Complete Listing of all our 2014 Draft Articles Click here. Jake Virtanen was the first overall pick in the 2011 WHL Draft. At 16 he had a decent season for the Hitmen with 34 points in 62 games. This season he really came on with 45 goals and 71 points in 71 games, and helping the Hitmen to a second place finish in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. Unfortunately the team was upset in six games to the Kootenay Ice in the first round of the playoffs. Virtanen really began to show his promise on the international stage with a very impressive performance at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2013 when he scored 5 goals in 5 games for Team Pacific. He also won a gold medal last summer at the Ivan Hlinka tournament representing Team Canada. Virtanen should be a part of Canada’s U18 team for the World Championships coming up next week in Finland. Jake Virtanen Right Wing — shoots Right Born Aug 17 1996 — Abbotsford, BC Height 6.01 — Weight 210 [185 cm/95 kg] Jake Virtanen is a power forward prospect who never hesitates to get involved physically. He loves to hit, and be involved in battles along the boards. Virtanen takes the puck to the net at every opportunity. He has the creative stickhandling and good agility to beat a defender with slick moves, but is also willing to go right through them if necessary to get to the net. Virtanen is a pure goal scorer who can score in tight with soft hands, and also has an excellent shot with big time power, great accuracy and a tremendously quick release that fools goaltenders. Virtanen has taken his game to another level of late, and has shown flashes of true dominance in the WHL. He also has good hockey sense and the ability to get open and elude defenders. Virtanen is more of a goal scorer than a playmaker, but he does have decent passing skills and vision as well. An outstanding skater, with impressive speed on the wing, Virtanen has the ability to take a defender wide before cutting back to the net. He was the fastest skater at the CHL top prospects game skills competition in both forwards and backwards skating. He has great acceleration, and his long and powerful stride gives him good balance and allows him to fight through hooks, holds, and other checks. Virtanen has decent defensive skills, he back checks hard, and is willing to be physical in all three zones. He is also willing to block shots and generally do whatever is necessary to help his team win games. He could stand to improve on his discipline though, as he can sometimes get out of position as he is looking for the big hit. Virtanen is not afraid to drop the gloves and is a good fighter. He is willing to defend teammates, or himself, against all comers. In terms of style, Virtanen is reminiscent of Jarome Iginla in his prime. This isn’t to say he has that level of talent, just that the style is similar. In terms of potential, the sky is the limit. If developed properly, Jake Virtanen has the skills necessary to be a top six power forward at the NHL level. He’s the total package, and the combination of size, skill, and speed is extremely intriguing. Here are some highlights of Jake Virtanen:

It's a translation error. Says in accurate translation "4 year suspension for being a dope".

You act as if Rangers will not re-sign their key studs. Gimme a break. Leivo will more than likely be re-signed for just this purpose is my prediction. I find it really ironic that you of all people would invoke "not well thought out" but, hey, whatever works for you!

Stecher is my prediction. I also think a depth forward will be lost through the "process" of moves. Leivo perhaps.

Of course not, he was, uh, protecting his crease. Ya, that's what he was doing. FULLY legal of course. Just like this.