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Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW


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9 minutes ago, N4ZZY said:

Yeah, i was going to also say this. he's cooled off considerably. 

 

do you think management doesn't want him to hit 40-45 points? Because if he does that, he deserves a significant raise from what he's currently getting. 

 

30-35 points? Probably 3-3.5 million. that's more affordable, no? 

 

I think he will get close to 40 points, I don't see him going on a cold streak without even a point the next 23 games. maybe 5-7 points? That'll bring him just under 40 points. 

 

Honestly I think he gets 3ish. Nothing more than that and maybe a bit less.

 

He's taken a step offensively but consistency has been his biggest issue and he isn't as physical of a presence as he should be. Guys like Ferland Mac and even Motte have almost 3 hits a game and Jake's has close to Pearson numbers in that regard. That's not a good thing in my mind he has the tools to be pretty good with physical play with the size and speed he has.

 

He doesn't get used in a checking role either or is used on the PK. He's only really been a secondary scorer this year.

 

Don't get me wrong he's a better player but the only big steps he's really taken are a bit offensively. If he upped his physicality and/or was more consistent then 3+ wouldn't be out of the question.

 

 

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5 hours ago, Junkyard Dog said:

Honestly I think he gets 3ish. Nothing more than that and maybe a bit less.

 

He's taken a step offensively but consistency has been his biggest issue and he isn't as physical of a presence as he should be. Guys like Ferland Mac and even Motte have almost 3 hits a game and Jake's has close to Pearson numbers in that regard. That's not a good thing in my mind he has the tools to be pretty good with physical play with the size and speed he has.

 

He doesn't get used in a checking role either or is used on the PK. He's only really been a secondary scorer this year.

 

Don't get me wrong he's a better player but the only big steps he's really taken are a bit offensively. If he upped his physicality and/or was more consistent then 3+ wouldn't be out of the question.

 

 

I think Jake has improved in more areas than just points.  He is far better on board battles, His play with out the puck and more effective defensively.  Also, if Jake scores 22 or 23 goals we would all be quite happy with that.  That would mean Jake will not score in 60+ games during the season.  He has become better in other areas that allow him to be effective even if he isn't scoring.

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11 hours ago, dpn1 said:

I think Jake has improved in more areas than just points.  He is far better on board battles, His play with out the puck and more effective defensively.  Also, if Jake scores 22 or 23 goals we would all be quite happy with that.  That would mean Jake will not score in 60+ games during the season.  He has become better in other areas that allow him to be effective even if he isn't scoring.

Yeah at the little things a bit better you can say. He hasn't taken huge strides in any regard though, just a step forward in the little things and offensively.

 

But he isn't as nearly as physical of a presence as he should be. If I see a guy like Motte who's 5'10" 190lbs averaging 3 hits a game when Virtanen is not even close to 2 hits a game that is an area he can most definitely improve. Motte isn't even an intimidating physical presence either. If he had Motte's motor then he'd definitely be worth 3+ no question. He also isn't used in any sort of checking role or defensively.

 

Therefore the role he plays is strictly to provide secondary scoring. Same with Gaudette. I would of liked to see Green use Gaud and Jake on the PK but that's probably not gonna happen this late in the year.

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21 hours ago, Junkyard Dog said:

Virtanen's been really quiet this month.

 

His play has taken a step back from that solid stretch he was on.

Yeah, I don't even know what is happening. He seems to have lost some confidence. Even at the game where I attended (the Preds game), he seems to be a bit lost (which was something he wasn't for most of the year). To be honest, maybe he is confused why he is demoted and is trying to figure out his game again (to see what can help him get promoted again). Also, in relation to the hits, he did mention that he will try to get the hit if he can but he doesn't want to force the issue. I'm sure he is still nervous to make a wrong move/hit for the likelihood it will result in benching.

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1 minute ago, Law of Goalies said:

Yeah, I don't even know what is happening. He seems to have lost some confidence. Even at the game where I attended (the Preds game), he seems to be a bit lost (which was something he wasn't for most of the year). To be honest, maybe he is confused why he is demoted and is trying to figure out his game again (to see what can help him get promoted again). Also, in relation to the hits, he did mention that he will try to get the hit if he can but he doesn't want to force the issue. I'm sure he is still nervous to make a wrong move/hit for the likelihood it will result in benching.

Jake was playing great with Petey and Miller.  Green screws it up.  Bad coaching decisions can really damage a team.  

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15 hours ago, Junkyard Dog said:

Yeah at the little things a bit better you can say. He hasn't taken huge strides in any regard though, just a step forward in the little things and offensively.

 

But he isn't as nearly as physical of a presence as he should be. If I see a guy like Motte who's 5'10" 190lbs averaging 3 hits a game when Virtanen is not even close to 2 hits a game that is an area he can most definitely improve. Motte isn't even an intimidating physical presence either. If he had Motte's motor then he'd definitely be worth 3+ no question. He also isn't used in any sort of checking role or defensively.

 

Therefore the role he plays is strictly to provide secondary scoring. Same with Gaudette. I would of liked to see Green use Gaud and Jake on the PK but that's probably not gonna happen this late in the year.

I am thinking Jake doesn't like to draw too much attention to himself making hits and having tougher guys challenge him if he is

Its easy money without bruises

Perhaps if he trained off season to fight to defend (to feel confident if attacked), he might be more inclined to hit more and become a dynamic player if he is skating like the wind and putting fear into people causing giveaways

I think there is more there, It is just a matter of desire and if he wants to put that effort in to be the best or not

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1 hour ago, ba;;isticsports said:

I am thinking Jake doesn't like to draw too much attention to himself making hits and having tougher guys challenge him if he is

Its easy money without bruises

Perhaps if he trained off season to fight to defend (to feel confident if attacked), he might be more inclined to hit more and become a dynamic player if he is skating like the wind and putting fear into people causing giveaways

I think there is more there, It is just a matter of desire and if he wants to put that effort in to be the best or not

There is definitely more there and you're right it comes down to an internal drive to be the best he can be

 

He is a big MMA fan and I can only imagine does some training in that discipline for fun in the off-season. My thought is that he has been suspended for late/questionable hits in the past and is second guessing himself before laying guys out which causes the opportunity to be missed. That combined with his lackadaisical energy at times is his biggest need for improvement for me.

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2 hours ago, Chicken. said:

There is definitely more there and you're right it comes down to an internal drive to be the best he can be

 

He is a big MMA fan and I can only imagine does some training in that discipline for fun in the off-season. My thought is that he has been suspended for late/questionable hits in the past and is second guessing himself before laying guys out which causes the opportunity to be missed. That combined with his lackadaisical energy at times is his biggest need for improvement for me.

If he could display on a regular basis, the drive and compete that young Podkolzin has; he would be a beast for us out on the ice and a top 6 power forward to boot.

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7 hours ago, ba;;isticsports said:

I am thinking Jake doesn't like to draw too much attention to himself making hits and having tougher guys challenge him if he is

Its easy money without bruises

Perhaps if he trained off season to fight to defend (to feel confident if attacked), he might be more inclined to hit more and become a dynamic player if he is skating like the wind and putting fear into people causing giveaways

I think there is more there, It is just a matter of desire and if he wants to put that effort in to be the best or not

I think a big part of it is the lack of back up he has. Ferland is our most and only intimidating presence on the team. Mac could be that. Roussel hasn't. If he had Ferland and if Mac became that sort of presence and we had 1-2 more guys like that it might encourage him.

 

When you're gonna hit people often and have the body to do it well people aren't gonna take that and if you got nobody behind you to back you up then you're all by yourself when you gotta answer the bell.

 

IMO the best Virtanen we're gonna get is one that is gonna take the body consistently, especially on a team that lacks that sort of mentality.

 

We should acquire more physical guys who bring that intimidating presence. Roussel hasn't and we definitely need a D man that does.

Edited by Junkyard Dog
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well i have been luke warm on jake in the past

became more positive about him the first half of this season

 

last season he faded after a decent 1st half

he appears to be fading again now

 

reality check for jake

the nucks are likely going to have to decide between him and toffoli

i don't see how they can keep both

toffoli makes more sense to keep as he is the better player

and we get nothing if he walks

 

jake's play has tailed off again and that supports keeping toffoli

jake is controlled and can be moved for assets

 

jake is really going to have to step things up for the remaining 20 games

or i think the rumours that we have heard from time to time this season about him being moved

will in fact be realized

 

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28 minutes ago, coastal.view said:

well i have been luke warm on jake in the past

became more positive about him the first half of this season

 

last season he faded after a decent 1st half

he appears to be fading again now

 

reality check for jake

the nucks are likely going to have to decide between him and toffoli

i don't see how they can keep both

toffoli makes more sense to keep as he is the better player

and we get nothing if he walks

 

jake's play has tailed off again and that supports keeping toffoli

jake is controlled and can be moved for assets

 

jake is really going to have to step things up for the remaining 20 games

or i think the rumours that we have heard from time to time this season about him being moved

will in fact be realized

 

Coaching is brutal.  Jake was playing very well with Petey and JT.  Green is costing us points with his poor decisions.  

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1 minute ago, Alflives said:

Coaching is brutal.  Jake was playing very well with Petey and JT.  Green is costing us points with his poor decisions.  

give it a rest

jake has blown hot and cold since he was drafted

i guess all his coaches have been holding him back ???

 

this is on him

 

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1 minute ago, coastal.view said:

give it a rest

jake has blown hot and cold since he was drafted

i guess all his coaches have been holding him back ???

 

this is on him

 

Coach.  Jake would do way better with Babs as coach.  Our team would too.  

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Just now, Alflives said:

Coach.  Jake would do way better with Babs as coach.  Our team would too.  

yeah right

you and your babs love

his player interpersonal skills are so out of touch

 

oh, and

i guess green made sure jake showed up at camp

unfit as well

that surely could not be jake's responsibility

 

 

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7 minutes ago, coastal.view said:

yeah right

you and your babs love

his player interpersonal skills are so out of touch

 

oh, and

i guess green made sure jake showed up at camp

unfit as well

that surely could not be jake's responsibility

 

 

And then Green publicly chastised Jake.  Ya, that’s class.  Green is not the best coach for Jake.  Jake needs to be free to play with meanness and aggression.  Green is way too controlling.  

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2 hours ago, Alflives said:

And then Green publicly chastised Jake.  Ya, that’s class.  Green is not the best coach for Jake.  Jake needs to be free to play with meanness and aggression.  Green is way too controlling.  

 

believe what you wish

no one put in more time with jake then green

green helped revive his floundering development

 

you wanted green to cover for jake's lack of conditioning?

why?

did you want nucks to do the same for tryamkin ?

 

i'm not sure if you know what class is anyway

i certainly will not be following your interpretation of that word

based on some of your postings on here (bryant)

Edited by coastal.view
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2 minutes ago, Alflives said:

And then Green publicly chastised Jake.  Ya, that’s class.  Green is not the best coach for Jake.  Jake needs to be free to play with meanness and aggression.  Green is way too controlling.  

Alf, I think chastised him is a lil harsh of a a word for what was said :)

Green was asked about Jake, and responded  honestly

He stated he didn't show up in the condition that they were both having for him

I am ok with that

NHL players get paid big money to be professionals

Jake was not taking his serious enough to not be in the best shape he could be

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16 minutes ago, Alflives said:

And then Green publicly chastised Jake.  Ya, that’s class.  Green is not the best coach for Jake.  Jake needs to be free to play with meanness and aggression.  Green is way too controlling.  

C'mon, Alf. Green has been incredibly patient with Jake.  Coming to training camp for the 2nd, 3rd? year in a row deserves the comments he got.  I would bet if you asked Jake, he would tell you that Greener has been very fair with him.

 

I don't think of Jake as mean or aggressive.

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5 hours ago, Kootenay Gold said:

If he could display on a regular basis, the drive and compete that young Podkolzin has; he would be a beast for us out on the ice and a top 6 power forward to boot.

I think some of what appears to be lack of drive is due to coaching that has taught him never to be caught out of position or he'll be sitting on the bench. And his suspension dramatically toned down the number and exuberance of his hits. But he is gradually putting it all together. I see him making nice plays way more often now than bad plays.

 

I think he does exactly what the coaches tell him to do. I am looking forward to a time in the playoffs when our skilled guys have been getting repeatedly abused while the refs keep their hands in their pockets (and it will happen). Green looks Jake directly in the eye and says, "Ok boys, time to finish your checks!"

 

And Jake's eyes light up and he starts quivering like a big eager puppy dog who's been shut inside all day when he hears that he finally gets to go out to play. And he takes off like a rocket and turns an opposition player into roadkill. Ideally without even taking a penalty, lol.

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