Jump to content
The Official Site of the Vancouver Canucks
Canucks Community

Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW


avelanch

Recommended Posts

You can't blame a coach for wanting to win games, and the fact that the Hitmen were dominant down the stretch shows that at least he knows how to do that. On the other hand, we don't care what the Hitmen do as a franchise in the end, we want what's best for Virtanen.

I've only been able to watch him in the Super Series and at the World Juniors. He improved mightily from the SSS to the WJC and after that I thought he was going to light the Dub on fire.

That didn't happen and while I'm very excited for what he brings, I was a little disappointed, especially with his goal scoring. In the end, I still think he is our best prospect, the things he does are amazing, it just kind of confuses me how he just doesn't dominate.

I think it's the line juggling that messes with Virtanen. He always has to adjust his play on a game-to-game basis and he can't work on certain things at a higher level consistently enough to show on his stat sheet.

Once he gets out of the dub, he's going to have mountains of improvement since he'll be given a consistent role to focus on with a broad, solid foundation to start from.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it's the line juggling that messes with Virtanen. He always has to adjust his play on a game-to-game basis and he can't work on certain things at a higher level consistently enough to show on his stat sheet.

Once he gets out of the dub, he's going to have mountains of improvement since he'll be given a consistent role to focus on with a broad, solid foundation to start from.

That will definitely help and that's why I think he makes the team next year if he has a great camp.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The two times I seen him recently Jake still looks like a fast man among boys out there.

He hit a post and had 2 or 3 self developed "breakaways" each game, it is amazing how effortlessly he goes around D men.

It looks like they are going the same speed and then Jake just cruises past without looking like he is trying any harder then he was when they were going the same speed.

Jake could have gotten some points in each of those games with some luck or some linemate that could keep up and clean up.

There is no doubt in my mind that his game will translate to the NHL way better than any player I have seen in junior this year except CMD of course.

Just being able to skate and hit will get him a long look next year, if he pots a few and drives the net as well as or better then Matthias or Kassian...and he may do that...how could Willie say no?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Hitmen's coaching has been headscratching for years. I would bet Jake is going a bit mad on that team. His positioning is wildly different than last year when he scored more goals.

It seems as though he's being actively discouraged from driving the play and is left to cover defensively for Fazleev and co as they bumble into the zone. Definitely appears to be a "the tallest nail gets hammered down" sort of situation for Jake and I imagine he's just killing time until the end of the season.

It's to the point where I'm surprised the Hitmen don't trade him. They could pick up some good futures and a player that fills the role Jake's been shoehorned into.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Hitmen's coaching has been headscratching for years. I would bet Jake is going a bit mad on that team. His positioning is wildly different than last year when he scored more goals.

It seems as though he's being actively discouraged from driving the play and is left to cover defensively for Fazleev and co as they bumble into the zone. Definitely appears to be a "the tallest nail gets hammered down" sort of situation for Jake and I imagine he's just killing time until the end of the season.

It's to the point where I'm surprised the Hitmen don't trade him. They could pick up some good futures and a player that fills the role Jake's been shoehorned into.

I totally agree that the Hitmen arent doing an amazing job handling him, but your being a wee bit dramatic.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I totally agree that the Hitmen arent doing an amazing job handling him, but your being a wee bit dramatic.

No you! :P

But seriously, Jake gets benched for scoring goals all the time. Watch a few Hitmen games and you will see him magically not get a single shift for long stretches for no good reason, often when he's making the most impact. It is a truly bizarre thing to watch. And if I'm that confused watching this happen, I can't imagine what it's like to play through that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I cant believe some of you guys still dont like the pick. He is just so physically dominant and so fast its impossible to hate on this guy. The only thing that might not translate is big time point totals. I think he has 60/70 point potential for sure though.

He's basically Jeff Carter. We don't have another player like him in our system. I love the pick, especially given the young players we've picked up since - he's a great complement to pure skill prospects (Shink, Sven) and will learn to play the right way from Horvat and elder Sedins.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A more athletic Evander Kane

That's far too lofty for ComptonCanuck's critical eye lol

I'm just glad he's taken a break from all of his "scouting tapes" to enlighten the rest of us here at CDC with his unparalleled knowledge and player evaluations.

Edited by Wild Sean Monahan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

You're back! Who's your player comp for Virtanen?

David Booth comes to mind.

I think you need to spend more time by the camp fire with Sean after he fetches firewood. Comparing Booth to Virtanen is like comparing Monahan to Stamkos. Both a bit far fetched.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I think you need to spend more time by the camp fire with Sean after he fetches firewood. Comparing Booth to Virtanen is like comparing Monahan to Stamkos. Both a bit far fetched.

Clearly you haven't seen ComptonCanuck much before.

That was almost clever, though.

Edited by Wild Sean Monahan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I think you need to spend more time by the camp fire with Sean after he fetches firewood. Comparing Booth to Virtanen is like comparing Monahan to Stamkos. Both a bit far fetched.

Booth, however, athletic he may be, seems to have regressed. It's unfair to use Monahan in your example in that manner.

Monahan and Stamkos both are really good players - though obviously, Stamkos is superstar material.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Dasein

I'll be going to a couple of the Hitmen v Ice games. I'm hoping Kootenay wins the series so that Virtanen can go to the Comets for the rest of the year.

Damn they're playing Kootenay again?

Sam Reinhart singlehandedly destroyed them last year in the series where Virtanen underperformed (playing through a shoulder injury). I think it will be a different story this year

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Damn they're playing Kootenay again?

Sam Reinhart singlehandedly destroyed them last year in the series where Virtanen underperformed (playing through a shoulder injury). I think it will be a different story this year

whats odd about that is that Virtanen played a good u18 tournament after that.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • -Vintage Canuck- changed the title to Jake Virtanen | #18 | RW
  • -SN- locked this topic
  • b3. unlocked this topic

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...