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Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW


avelanch

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I saw it live. Fans heckled the goalie for the rest of the game. Still can't believe that was our game winner haha.

Yeah I was watching from the box and couldn't believe it. The icing after that was almost even better though as the whole crowd basically gasped like it was a huge scoring chance haha.
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He is certainly physically ready like Bo was there is no question. Also I would argue his offensive skills are good enough to be in the NHL.

I just don't see him on the team next year nor much of a good reason to have him in next year. We have a roster that is good enough to compete already without him. On top of that we have guys like jensen and bartschi who are more developed and waiver risks which is a disadvantage for Jake.

The 19/20 year of junior is the most dominant year for young players. His role will increase on the hitmen with overagers leaving. He will play on team canada again. He will dominate and have another year to focus on the little things he needs to learn yet. I have no doubt he will get his 9 games barring a horrendous training camp.

I do feel though that due to his physical attributes, grit, offensive prowess, and elite speed he will likely join the NHL from Jrs like Bo did.

My prediction is his 19/20 year in JR again with potentially a playoff stint with Utica if Hitmen make an early exit from WHL playoffs. His 20/21 year with the Canucks.

The problem with remaining in junior is that it can become too easy. Being a man among boys doesn't help him to improve his skill sets. Running over 16 years olds and shooting at young goaltenders won't be challenging to him either. It will be more likely that he will develop some bad habits. Unless he will be traded to a Memorial Cup contender next season in junior, it might just be waste of time for him.

While the NHL isn't the best next step for him, it's certainly better than just staying in the WHL. As of now, he's the equivalent of a gr12 in highschool and getting straight A's.... it's completely stupid to have him to redo the grade 12 again next year just because there may be a fear that university will be overwhelming.

The conditioning programs and meal preparations in the WHL still cannot be compared to what can be provided by the Canucks.

Going the Bo Horvat route might be the best option for him as he cannot be assigned to Utica. Allowing him to play in a sheltered and simple role, without the added burden of being forced into a franchise player immediately. The twins, along with Vrbata, Bonino and Burrows will be there to provide the main offense, and the added bonus of training with them day in and day out will help him to develop as a professional.

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The problem with remaining in junior is that it can become too easy. Being a man among boys doesn't help him to improve his skill sets. Running over 16 years olds and shooting at young goaltenders won't be challenging to him either. It will be more likely that he will develop some bad habits. Unless he will be traded to a Memorial Cup contender next season in junior, it might just be waste of time for him.

While the NHL isn't the best next step for him, it's certainly better than just staying in the WHL. As of now, he's the equivalent of a gr12 in highschool and getting straight A's.... it's completely stupid to have him to redo the grade 12 again next year just because there may be a fear that university will be overwhelming.

The conditioning programs and meal preparations in the WHL still cannot be compared to what can be provided by the Canucks.

Going the Bo Horvat route might be the best option for him as he cannot be assigned to Utica. Allowing him to play in a sheltered and simple role, without the added burden of being forced into a franchise player immediately. The twins, along with Vrbata, Bonino and Burrows will be there to provide the main offense, and the added bonus of training with them day in and day out will help him to develop as a professional.

Agreed and with Willie's ability to nurture young players, build their confidence and get the best out of them I think it may well prove the best option.

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Did you see the game winner for the Cougars?

On another note I watched Virtanen tonight and he is really fast, didn't seem to be as big as people are making him out to be though. He wasn't small, but just seemed like average size, but it's unusual because he was fast like you only usually see from small guys.

Pretty good shot and his defensive game actually seemed to be a lot better than I've been hearing. He was in position well, hard on the puck and back checking hard. He stopped an empty netter at the end of the third when he won a race for the puck that he had no business winning.

I don't think he will make the canucks out of training camp next year with our overload of players fighting for roster spots but he will definitely make that a hard decision for them. I am excited for him when he does make the team, he plays a really dominant game. I've got no doubt that he makes the Canucks in the next couple years.

The talk of him needing to work on his defense more than any other prospect is fantasy. His defense and positioning is fine, just as his hockey iq was fine last season. I always luld at that complaint, which now of course has vanished. But he's not perfect and will still work on these aspects to his game to become a complete player. Some other prospects prefer not to.

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The problem with remaining in junior is that it can become too easy. Being a man among boys doesn't help him to improve his skill sets. Running over 16 years olds and shooting at young goaltenders won't be challenging to him either. It will be more likely that he will develop some bad habits. Unless he will be traded to a Memorial Cup contender next season in junior, it might just be waste of time for him.

While the NHL isn't the best next step for him, it's certainly better than just staying in the WHL. As of now, he's the equivalent of a gr12 in highschool and getting straight A's.... it's completely stupid to have him to redo the grade 12 again next year just because there may be a fear that university will be overwhelming.

The conditioning programs and meal preparations in the WHL still cannot be compared to what can be provided by the Canucks.

Going the Bo Horvat route might be the best option for him as he cannot be assigned to Utica. Allowing him to play in a sheltered and simple role, without the added burden of being forced into a franchise player immediately. The twins, along with Vrbata, Bonino and Burrows will be there to provide the main offense, and the added bonus of training with them day in and day out will help him to develop as a professional.

This makes a lot of sense to me, especially given JB's desire to fast-track our kids so that they're ready by the time the twins contract's are done in 3 seasons.

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The talk of him needing to work on his defense more than any other prospect is fantasy. His defense and positioning is fine, just as his hockey iq was fine last season. I always luld at that complaint, which now of course has vanished. But he's not perfect and will still work on these aspects to his game to become a complete player. Some other prospects prefer not to.

Im one of Jakes biggest supporters but his positioning is probably his worst quality. He sometimes seems confused, kind of like Kassian. I think Jake will become a good two way player though. He seems willing to learn and do what the coach wants. His compete level is very high.

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I doubt Jake makes it next year. Not enough space and he'd have to be head and shoulders better than Hansen IMO to steal his spot. As I said in the Jensen thread:

Sedin, Sedin, Kassian

Baertschi, Bonino, Vrbata

Burrows, Mathias, Dorsett

Kenins, Horvat, Hansen

Vey

The bottom two lines can swap 3rd/4th line minutes depending on who's going and there's plenty of flexibility to move wingers up and down depending on injuries, slumps etc. Vey gives us a 5th C for depth/injuries and can also fill in on RW.

That's a deep @#$%'ing lineup with plenty of quality call-ups in Utica as well. If Virtanen or Jensen also make it, that likely means moving Hansen as well as Higgins (who I've assumed already will be gone). Personally I think that's a stretch. Benning isn't likely to move 2 of Higgins, Hansen or Burrows. One, sure but not two.

Edited by J.R.
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His goal yesterday was off a rebound put it too cheese from 15 feet out. Also got denied on a chance to tie the game. I think his shot was blocked, announcer called goalie made a save, but the net was almost empty. Would have been nice to see him get that one.

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I think a player like Jake needs to be developed throughly for him to have a successful career in the NHL. He isn't the most skilled guy but he does the basics of hockey very well. Jake needs to come into the lineup and absolutely ready to go or else he might be rushed into a wrong situation. He would look lost in the NHL.

Another year in the dub, and probably atleast 1-2 years in Utica.

Really?!?!? You clearly don't know what your talking about.. or have never played. He will be in the nucks roster either next year, or the year after. No way he spends 1 more year in the dub and AT LEAST 1-2 years in the ahl? Not for a prospect of his stature and skills. And he is very skilled. Comon man
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Really?!?!? You clearly don't know what your talking about.. or have never played. He will be in the nucks roster either next year, or the year after. No way he spends 1 more year in the dub and AT LEAST 1-2 years in the ahl? Not for a prospect of his stature and skills. And he is very skilled. Comon man

I wouldn't surprised at all to see him back in Jr. next season but more than 1 season in the AHL is unlikely. If he even gets to the AHL it may even be less than one season. But we'll see...

Edited by J.R.
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The problem with remaining in junior is that it can become too easy. Being a man among boys doesn't help him to improve his skill sets. Running over 16 years olds and shooting at young goaltenders won't be challenging to him either. It will be more likely that he will develop some bad habits. Unless he will be traded to a Memorial Cup contender next season in junior, it might just be waste of time for him.

While the NHL isn't the best next step for him, it's certainly better than just staying in the WHL. As of now, he's the equivalent of a gr12 in highschool and getting straight A's.... it's completely stupid to have him to redo the grade 12 again next year just because there may be a fear that university will be overwhelming.

The conditioning programs and meal preparations in the WHL still cannot be compared to what can be provided by the Canucks.

Going the Bo Horvat route might be the best option for him as he cannot be assigned to Utica. Allowing him to play in a sheltered and simple role, without the added burden of being forced into a franchise player immediately. The twins, along with Vrbata, Bonino and Burrows will be there to provide the main offense, and the added bonus of training with them day in and day out will help him to develop as a professional.

That's a poor analogy. A better analogy is if a player was getting straight A+'s in grade 11 that they should get to bypass grade 12 with a test in the fall and then go straight to university if they do well enough on that.

But Jake isn't getting straight A's even in your analogy. If you look at someone like Ehlers in his draft +1 year (or even Marner in his draft year) he's definitely getting an A++ in points production. Virtanen is more of an A-/B+ by comparison. Of course there is a lot more to that report card (physical play, defensive awareness, etc.) where Virtanen may be ahead of Ehlers but it points out that Virtanen isn't necessarily a slam dunk to skip a grade and jump right to uni.

The value in another year of Junior is reduced, but there's still value there - particularly if he's on a competitive team - so if he doesn't fit in the NHL I'd rather he goes back. That becomes even more true with our potential log jam next year as we have more young players become waivers eligible (i.e. Baertschi, Corrado and Clendening) as well as others who have already grabbed a spot or could challenge as well next year (i.e. Kenins or Jensen).

But common sense tells us to watch what offseason moves are made (trades, signings) and then who does what at camp to deserve that spot.

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But common sense tells us to watch what offseason moves are made (trades, signings) and then who does what at camp to deserve that spot.

 

One comment Benning made and maybe passed un-noticed was he said " I hope to get the second round pick back ( Baerstchi pick ) before the draft" So some one is chnaging area codes.

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I remain of the wish that Jake, who has citizenship by birthright in Europe (Denmark if I remember right) could play a pro year in Europe.

Someone, pretty sure Elvis, suggested there are transfer agreements where his CHL team would be owed a transfer fee is in the way. But if Jake were to make a reasonable salary, or the Canucks were willing to front part, I am sure there is a way?

He could play against men in a highly competitive league, possibly the SEL. Learn alternate playing styles. And living in Europe would be a GREAT experience for any 19 year old. How many kids do a gap year traveling before buckling at uni? Jake could make a couple hundred grand, and gain a better hockey experience.

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  • -Vintage Canuck- changed the title to Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW
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