Grape Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 This raises a point, though I'd differ in approach focussing on where he'll best develop instead of where he deserves to play. Earning your spot is just one of the factors to consider in a player's development. Some think NHL players develop best in the NHL. Imo that is best for some and not as good for others. Virtanen physically is capable of playing in the NHL. I suspect that mentally and defensively he's closer to being ready than some give him credit for, but for other reasons wonder if he might be better in Jr again. Those are: -offense-between his shoulder injury and his commitment to work on his defence, and possibly other factors (I've seen coaching and playing a different wing mentioned as potential factors in other CDC posts) his scoring didn't go up like one often sees from top prospects. It might not do him any harm to do a bunch of scoring in junior-in fact it may be good for his offensive creativity. -some have mentioned that it would be nice if he isn't expected to carry too much of the team's deterrent weight in the NHL next season. otoh, Virtanen's strength and speed are perhaps overly dominant in many situations in junior. It will interesting seeing what happens in training camp. Yes, he has all the physical ability in the world to play in the NHL, and playing in the NHL is probably the better way to develop him, but that's the case for about every prospect. However, if he can barely score a point per game in the WHL playing on the first line, and also go on a decline in goal production after being drafted, I don't see any reason for everyone to be so optimistic thinking he'll definitely succeed in the NHL next year, I can't seem to find the logic in that. People can argue "Oh well he is more NHL ready than anyone in his draft class," well if that's the case why isn't he dominating the much more smaller, weaker, slower, less complex, CHL? The NHL gives you much less room to maneuver and if Virt can't play up to expectations in Calgary than he shouldn't be up in the NHL. Wait till he starts dominating the dub and then we'll see what he can do up here, but that's just my opinion. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grape Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Thank God you are not our GM. Great insight 10/10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shiftynifty Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Yes, he has all the physical ability in the world to play in the NHL, and playing in the NHL is probably the better way to develop him, but that's the case for about every prospect. However, if he can barely score a point per game in the WHL playing on the first line, and also go on a decline in goal production after being drafted, I don't see any reason for everyone to be so optimistic thinking he'll definitely succeed in the NHL next year, I can't seem to find the logic in that. People can argue "Oh well he is more NHL ready than anyone in his draft class," well if that's the case why isn't he dominating the much more smaller, weaker, slower, less complex, CHL? The NHL gives you much less room to maneuver and if Virt can't play up to expectations in Calgary than he shouldn't be up in the NHL. Wait till he starts dominating the dub and then we'll see what he can do up here, but that's just my opinion. Playing on the 1st line in WHL this season...? Someone didn't follow his season at all... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklehead44 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Yes, he has all the physical ability in the world to play in the NHL, and playing in the NHL is probably the better way to develop him, but that's the case for about every prospect. However, if he can barely score a point per game in the WHL playing on the first line, and also go on a decline in goal production after being drafted, I don't see any reason for everyone to be so optimistic thinking he'll definitely succeed in the NHL next year, I can't seem to find the logic in that. People can argue "Oh well he is more NHL ready than anyone in his draft class," well if that's the case why isn't he dominating the much more smaller, weaker, slower, less complex, CHL? The NHL gives you much less room to maneuver and if Virt can't play up to expectations in Calgary than he shouldn't be up in the NHL. Wait till he starts dominating the dub and then we'll see what he can do up here, but that's just my opinion. You are right grape. Not only that, but if Virtanen gets a spot on the Canucks he takes it away from Alexandre Grenier who is the third best forward in Utica, developed on the farm and produced well, and is at the age where he really needs to get an opportunity before he is too old. Considering all that he has accomplished plus his physical attributes it would suck to see him not penciled in on the 4th line to see what he can do. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grape Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 You are right grape. Not only that, but if Virtanen gets a spot on the Canucks he takes it away from Alexandre Grenier who is the third best forward in Utica, developed on the farm and produced well, and is at the age where he really needs to get an opportunity before he is too old. Considering all that he has accomplished plus his physical attributes it would suck to see him not penciled in on the 4th line to see what he can do. I agree 100%. Couldn't have said it better myself. Grenier's waited long enough and has really improved other the course of his career through basically every league, would definitely have him over Virtanen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grape Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 (edited) Playing on the 1st line in WHL this season...? Someone didn't follow his season at all... Lol sorry, my bad. Does he play on the 2nd line? I've seen clips and portions of Hitmen games just assumed his line was the first line Edited June 14, 2015 by Grape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeanBeef Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 I remember his first playoff game against LA and he absolutely hammered Richards. and Doughty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHFz2rV0gFU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shiftynifty Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Lol sorry, my bad. Does he play on the 2nd line? I've seen clips and portions of Hitmen games just assumed his line was the first line Mostly 2nd and some 3rd line. Played on the 1st line with Tambo and Rankin when Hitmen couldn't get offense going. Played LW/RW/Center at different times throughout the season and 2nd PP most of the time. Mind-boggling how he was used that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boudrias Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 You are right grape. Not only that, but if Virtanen gets a spot on the Canucks he takes it away from Alexandre Grenier who is the third best forward in Utica, developed on the farm and produced well, and is at the age where he really needs to get an opportunity before he is too old. Considering all that he has accomplished plus his physical attributes it would suck to see him not penciled in on the 4th line to see what he can do.A lot of positive stories coming out of the Calder run this year. Most definitely Grenier is one of them. He finished the season strong and continued into playoffs. While Virtanen proved he can handle thephysical play of the AHL I prefer he spends another year in junior to re-establish his offense. He mightsurprise in the fall but I am hoping Grenier makes the Canucks. He has a great balance to his game andcan bring much of what Virtanen can on the physical side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seven pounds soft Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 The problem with bringing in Virtanen next season isn't if he's ready or not, because he is. It's whether or not the Canucks expect him to do too much of the heavy lifting. Since the Canucks will have virtually no physicality or pushback beyond him next season when they deal Bieksa. Kassian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpt Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Kassian Sbisa Dorsett Hansen We need a better 4th line and someone in our top 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanTSN Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Virtanen missed the last three games with the flu. It's over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl's Jn Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Talk about home grown players! So excited for Jake! agreed... jake will be good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl's Jn Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Sbisa Dorsett Hansen We need a better 4th line and someone in our top 6 sbisa isn't a forward Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl's Jn Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Virtanen missed the last three games with the flu. It's over. lol far from it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl's Jn Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 I agree 100%. Couldn't have said it better myself. Grenier's waited long enough and has really improved other the course of his career through basically every league, would definitely have him over Virtanen. they both will get a shot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Monahan Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 ^^ The MultiQuote feature...Use it. Love it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amish Rake Fighter Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Kassian 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conscience Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 LoL, lets hope the 4th liner we drafted turns into half the player Booth was. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73 Percent Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 LoL, lets hope the 4th liner we drafted turns into half the player Booth was.now thats going too far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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