Henrik Kesler Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Keep in mind, that QoT calculation uses ice time not production. So it says he played with 2nd liners on his team but you have to also realize that a second liner on the Hitmen is like a 4th liner on a lot of CHL teams. They flat out sucked. It's not often that you can pin a team making the playoffs on one guy, but with Calgary Virtanen was that guy.I understand this, and thus was the point I was making. I didn't care for the Virtanen pick at the time...now that I do some digging into QoT compared to the guys who had 'higher offensive upside' than him, I feel good. His 5 on 5 production was pretty gaudy given his QoT, and the fact that his teammates were below average 2nd liners in the CHL. His points/60 given his TOI and teammate quality is quite impressive actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.53 Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 I don't think people are looking at the hometown factor as much as they should. Ever since he was a kid, he, like most of us, dreamed of playing for the Canucks. Now that he is so close, you can bet he is going to push himself in every which way to make that dream become a reality. Getting drafted isn't making it. It's only the beginning. The hard work is about to start and you can bet your bottom dollar this kid wants it, and wants it bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesy_shoes Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Does anyone think playing in your hometown is a drawback? It's a lot easier to have a life outside of the rink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herberts Vasiljevs Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I normally say he's a grittier Kreider, but seriously, Owen Nolan is pretty bang on now that you mention it. Nolan in his days with the Sharks was an unbelievable player. I'll never forget his game 7 goal vs. Turek. LOL!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keslerific Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I like this comparison more than the others Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerEpic5 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 (edited) Thanks for this and good read. I think you have a point. Owen Nolan= physical/speed/size/goal scorer/shot Jake Virtanen= physical/speed/size/goal scorer/shot Both lacked hockey sense in their junior years and Owen Nolan's hockey sense really set him back a little. Both put up more goals than assists Both have skill Both were big hitters and known for there skating Both are really fast with those skates on and have tremendously good agility. I see you're point. Edited July 28, 2014 by RogerEpic5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnews Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 (edited) A lot of interesting convergences there, right down to the shoulder injury. Hopefully the 10 x 20 goal seasons, 5 x 30+ and 2 x 40+ also stands up. A young Owen Nolan is a hell of an exciting comparable - although those are giant shoes to grow into. Edited July 28, 2014 by oldnews Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GM PLACE ROCKS Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Best comparison to date... I had kinda forgotten that Nolan an awesome skater as well... The physicality aspect is 100% bang on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeanBeef Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I like this comparison just as much as the Kreider comparison that the guy above posted (except jake has a better shot) now that you mention it. Kinda forgot about Nolan's play back then, especially since he looked like a slug with the Canucks in the 2011 preseason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombieksa Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Ugh.. Remember how we could have had have jägr? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRussianRocket. Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Thanks for this and good read. I think you have a point. Owen Nolan= physical/speed/size/goal scorer/shot Jake Virtanen= physical/speed/size/goal scorer/shot Both lacked hockey sense in their junior years and Owen Nolan's hockey sense really set him back a little. Both put up more goals than assists Both have skill Both were big hitters and known for there skating Both are really fast with those skates on and have tremendously good agility. I see you're point. Yep. Funny because I forgot about Nolan for a few years now but now that OP made this, I see a very solid comparison between the 2 and I'd say it's the best one yet. Only thing is have to hope Virtanen develops properly and pans out otherwise he'll be a bust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks1219 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 (edited) Here's hoping Virtanen will at least have a better rookie season than Owen Nolan (53GP | 3G | 10A | 13PTS). (EDIT: I should probably mention he had a spectacular sophomore season though.) Edited July 28, 2014 by Canucks1219 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amish Rake Fighter Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 My favourite memory of Nolan was when he was playing in Quebec, he headed up the welcoming committee for Lindros when he came to town for the first time after "the trade". Suffice it to say that Nolan didn't think much of Lindros refusing to play in Quebec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
messier's_elbow Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I think it is realistic that out of Horvat virtanen, shinkarurk, Mcann, Kassian, Jensen, gaunce, fox, Cassels that 4 of them become really solid top 6 guys, but I suspect we will get 5 These are all really good pickups and the Canucks have their own farm te and more resources now, I think with one elite centerman we would have the best forward prospect pool in the league The only longshots I see out of those guys are Fox and Cassels. Any of the others wont surprise me if they are top 6 guys eventually. Mccann and Shinkaruk need to add some size and strength but I see them being 2nd liners. I see Gaunce as a top line 3rd liner though. I agree we went from perhaps the worst, to top 10 in league wide teams prospects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2SKATES1STICK Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I hope Virtanen heals up well and gets another strong season, hopefully he has a chance to make a bigger impact in the playoffs this year in the WHL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEON.KNEE Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 great post by the Owen Nolan guy. Watched Virtanen's highlight reel again, and can't help but feel really excited about this prospect. This kid is going to be amazing, and so much fun to watch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N4ZZY Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 great post by the Owen Nolan guy. Watched Virtanen's highlight reel again, and can't help but feel really excited about this prospect. This kid is going to be amazing, and so much fun to watch! I'm excited about Virtanen as well. I'm cautious too, cause don't want to be disappointed. But if Virtanen can improve on using his linemates better, this kid's going to be a very good player for the Canucks for years to come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEON.KNEE Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I'm excited about Virtanen as well. I'm cautious too, cause don't want to be disappointed. But if Virtanen can improve on using his linemates better, this kid's going to be a very good player for the Canucks for years to come. if his Jr. game can translate to the NHL and Jake can continue that type of play against NHl'ers, I don't care if he developed and learns to use his teammates or not...He will be the player they will have to get the puck to. He looks like he could be a real force. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avelanch Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 I'm excited about Virtanen as well. I'm cautious too, cause don't want to be disappointed. But if Virtanen can improve on using his linemates better, this kid's going to be a very good player for the Canucks for years to come. he'd have to get quasi-decent linemates before he could use them better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N4ZZY Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 if his Jr. game can translate to the NHL and Jake can continue that type of play against NHl'ers, I don't care if he developed and learns to use his teammates or not...He will be the player they will have to get the puck to. He looks like he could be a real force. let's hope so. if he develops properly, i can see him being at least a 30 goal scorer. at the very least. hoping for more in the 40 goal scorer range. but if he can use his line mates better, he'd be a beast of a player in the NHL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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