TOMapleLaughs Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 There are three narratives which I will be paying close attention to through Virtanen's first 9 games: Penalties: Virtanen has always been, and likely always will be, a guy who collects a lot of PIMs. At times he has been criticized for taking bad penalties. And these penalties are not always a product of his physicality. Oddly enough, as a fast winger with less defensive responsibility he does tend to take quite a few hooking and holding penalties. I think his penalty differential will be something to keep an eye on. If he is taking a lot more than he is drawing, I think it could hurt his chances of staying with the team passed 9 games. Neutral Zone Decisions: This relates to the ill-defined "hockey IQ" and Virtanen's defensive abilities. At times in the preseason Virtanen has made very nice, quick, moves and passes to advance the puck through the neutral zone (think with Horvat). However, at other times he has made suicide passes that have resulted in goals or bad turnovers (SJ game). These decisions can either really help or really hurt hurt his chances of staying longer. One other thing in this category which will be interesting to watch is how often Virtanen gets caught out of position on the back-check. During his junior career, I have often noticed that Virtanen might go for a big hit when fore-checking which puts him out of position on the back-check through the neutral zone. In junior, his speed advantage often allowed him to make up the gap, but in the faster NHL it will be interesting to see if he gets caught up ice. Physicality: One of the popular narratives on CDC (especially when comparing Virtanen to Ehlers or Nylander) is that Virtanen does other things (AKA plays physical) when he isn't creating offense. No doubt Virtanen is a very physical player, but from my experience he can disappear for shifts and periods. I've seen Virtanen play in about 25 live WHL games (and of course AHL playoffs, WJC, and NHL pre-season) and I have noticed sometimes he isn't physical or offensive or really involved in any way even when I was specifically watching out for him. Now this is often common for junior players (especially highly skilled ones who can afford to take a shift or two off) and I don't think it is cause for concern in the long run. But as for his first 9 games, I will be paying close attention to see if he can play that 4th line energy role where he is called upon after sitting for a while to supply energy through his physicality. Question: Why are some people spending this much effort to be a douche about this particular prospect? What is there to gain, exactly? I've always wondered. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Standing_Tall#37 Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Question: Why are some people spending this much effort to be a douche about this particular prospect? What is there to gain, exactly? I've always wondered. Their &^@#ed up self superiority complex...it's a general attitude of the lower mainland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckledraggin Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 ^ 1. Yep he takes too many penalties, but you don't want to stifle his physical play. We will have one of the best penalty kills in the league yet again and our PK may actually have gotten better this year. 2. He's still noticeably one of the fastest players on the ice and his backcheck is good. 3. He keeps his shifts short and doesn't get caught out there on rubber legs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amish Rake Fighter Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Their fracked up self superiority complex...it's a general attitude of the lower mainland so what's your excuse, mullet head? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amish Rake Fighter Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Jake just said on 1040 that he got angry watching last year's playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlphaHoneyBadger Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Their fracked up self superiority complex...it's a general attitude of the lower mainland Agreed. Everyone is a know it all and they want everyone to hear and read about it. People should just watch the game and enjoy what we have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nave Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Jake just said on 1040 that he got angry watching last year's playoffs. Hopefully he plays tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaudette Celly Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Question: Why are some people spending this much effort to be a douche about this particular prospect? What is there to gain, exactly? I've always wondered. Public expression of lingering butthurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McBackup Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Gaunce is soon behind as well. Shinkaruk and grenier next season possibly. You need to have some vets in the line up. Yes. But its not truly a "rebuild" until the old core is gone and the new one is competitive. The season hasn't even started yet and we've just added three rookies. Like I said, I'm excited too, but let's not get carried away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lock Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 (edited) There are three narratives which I will be paying close attention to through Virtanen's first 9 games: Penalties: Virtanen has always been, and likely always will be, a guy who collects a lot of PIMs. At times he has been criticized for taking bad penalties. And these penalties are not always a product of his physicality. Oddly enough, as a fast winger with less defensive responsibility he does tend to take quite a few hooking and holding penalties. I think his penalty differential will be something to keep an eye on. If he is taking a lot more than he is drawing, I think it could hurt his chances of staying with the team passed 9 games. Neutral Zone Decisions: This relates to the ill-defined "hockey IQ" and Virtanen's defensive abilities. At times in the preseason Virtanen has made very nice, quick, moves and passes to advance the puck through the neutral zone (think with Horvat). However, at other times he has made suicide passes that have resulted in goals or bad turnovers (SJ game). These decisions can either really help or really hurt hurt his chances of staying longer. One other thing in this category which will be interesting to watch is how often Virtanen gets caught out of position on the back-check. During his junior career, I have often noticed that Virtanen might go for a big hit when fore-checking which puts him out of position on the back-check through the neutral zone. In junior, his speed advantage often allowed him to make up the gap, but in the faster NHL it will be interesting to see if he gets caught up ice. Physicality: One of the popular narratives on CDC (especially when comparing Virtanen to Ehlers or Nylander) is that Virtanen does other things (AKA plays physical) when he isn't creating offense. No doubt Virtanen is a very physical player, but from my experience he can disappear for shifts and periods. I've seen Virtanen play in about 25 live WHL games (and of course AHL playoffs, WJC, and NHL pre-season) and I have noticed sometimes he isn't physical or offensive or really involved in any way even when I was specifically watching out for him. Now this is often common for junior players (especially highly skilled ones who can afford to take a shift or two off) and I don't think it is cause for concern in the long run. But as for his first 9 games, I will be paying close attention to see if he can play that 4th line energy role where he is called upon after sitting for a while to supply energy through his physicality. Good luck with that. I'll just watch the games and not be as expectant and critical.... I hope you're not expecting anyone to actually take your critique serious. Edited October 9, 2015 by The Lock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TU90 Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 There are three narratives which I will be paying close attention to through Virtanen's first 9 games: Penalties: Virtanen has always been, and likely always will be, a guy who collects a lot of PIMs. At times he has been criticized for taking bad penalties. And these penalties are not always a product of his physicality. Oddly enough, as a fast winger with less defensive responsibility he does tend to take quite a few hooking and holding penalties. I think his penalty differential will be something to keep an eye on. If he is taking a lot more than he is drawing, I think it could hurt his chances of staying with the team passed 9 games. Neutral Zone Decisions: This relates to the ill-defined "hockey IQ" and Virtanen's defensive abilities. At times in the preseason Virtanen has made very nice, quick, moves and passes to advance the puck through the neutral zone (think with Horvat). However, at other times he has made suicide passes that have resulted in goals or bad turnovers (SJ game). These decisions can either really help or really hurt hurt his chances of staying longer. One other thing in this category which will be interesting to watch is how often Virtanen gets caught out of position on the back-check. During his junior career, I have often noticed that Virtanen might go for a big hit when fore-checking which puts him out of position on the back-check through the neutral zone. In junior, his speed advantage often allowed him to make up the gap, but in the faster NHL it will be interesting to see if he gets caught up ice. Physicality: One of the popular narratives on CDC (especially when comparing Virtanen to Ehlers or Nylander) is that Virtanen does other things (AKA plays physical) when he isn't creating offense. No doubt Virtanen is a very physical player, but from my experience he can disappear for shifts and periods. I've seen Virtanen play in about 25 live WHL games (and of course AHL playoffs, WJC, and NHL pre-season) and I have noticed sometimes he isn't physical or offensive or really involved in any way even when I was specifically watching out for him. Now this is often common for junior players (especially highly skilled ones who can afford to take a shift or two off) and I don't think it is cause for concern in the long run. But as for his first 9 games, I will be paying close attention to see if he can play that 4th line energy role where he is called upon after sitting for a while to supply energy through his physicality. You put so much effort into criticising a 19 year old. Just sit back and enjoy the game instead of being a wannabe scout/talent evaluator. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Good luck with that. I'll just watch the games and not be as expectant and critical.... I hope you're not expecting anyone to actually take your critique serious. It's OK, he thought Sutter was a mistake too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 It's OK, he thought Sutter was a mistake too. I know we love to pretend we are all knowing hockey guys, but really we are just super fans with our own biased opinions. The poster in question is entitled to his judgements (even though they are completely WRONG) just the same as the rest of us. Jake was the best pick at six, and that's that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amish Rake Fighter Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 I know we love to pretend we are all knowing hockey guys, but really we are just super fans with our own biased opinions. The poster in question is entitled to his judgements (even though they are completely WRONG) just the same as the rest of us. Jake was the best pick at six, and that's that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 I break mirrors, when I look in them, but I do love deer jerky and popcorn! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tre Mac Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 It won't happen but i would love to see Vrbata traded and keep all three rooks for the whole year. Imagine if you could get a first for Vrbata right now lol.... Younger and Faster baby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd. Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 (edited) Right, if someone draws the critic points of a prospect, he's a troll, good riddance. If someone says good about a prospect, you're deemed non-troll and you'll be thought as the wise one. Sigh. Edited October 9, 2015 by Odd. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Right, if someone draws the critic points of a prospect, he's a troll, good riddance. If someone says good about a prospect, you're deemed non-troll and you'll be thought as the wise one. Sigh. It's a Canucks fan board. What do you expect? Plus, you're way off on Jake. He's a big, tough, skilled super skating power forward of which there is no other from his draft. We were lucky he fell to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nave Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 I'm excited too, but adding 3 rookies does not constitute a seamless rebuild. Yeah I know, I just meant there are more to come. 3 more may join next year. The presence of vets allows them some people they can learn from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guntrix Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Question: Why are some people spending this much effort to be a douche about this particular prospect? What is there to gain, exactly? I've always wondered. Likewise, what is there to gain from overhyping someone who simply hasn't played well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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