Popular Post LaBamba Posted December 8, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted December 8, 2016 (edited) 22 minutes ago, Harvey Spector said: Not to mention we could very much use his 225 pound frame to lay out some big hits on the opposition. Naw man, if you're drafted 6th overall you need to score. Use your size to get to the net and protect the puck. He has shoulder issues as well. I want him to score like he did in Jr. l saw him play twice in Calgary and man could he rip a wrist shot while skating really fast. He was so big and so fast that he only had sticks and scared faces between him and the net. I really don't like him in any type of checking role. People have forgot how much skill he had before we ruined him. Travis Green will hopefully pull out that confidence buried deep inside. Edited December 8, 2016 by LaBamba 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoneypuckOverlord Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 3 hours ago, J.R. said: Power forwards usually start to make a jump in their play/development around 22-24. IMO he's got too many tools and has the right attitude to not be at the very least a solid middle 6 guy. Top 6 if he reaches his ceiling. People just shouldn't be surprised/disappointed not to see it for another 2-4 years. Patience. Unfortunately, that likely means a LOT more Nylander/Ehlers bitching for the next few years the worst he can be is a 3rd line checking winger, who plays with speed hits, and has a decent shot. He can make the most of what he has, which is a devastating hitter. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crabcakes Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 I really believe that Virtanen's improvement (and success) will be up to him alone. It's a matter of attitude not being gifted an "opportunity" to play. Jake's improvement will come when he realizes that he needs to work his butt off both on and off the ice. He may also have to learn different tactics like give and go's to be successful at the highest level. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mozymozy Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 19 hours ago, JamesB said: That what the AHL is for (at least that is one thing it is for). And that in one reason why Jake is better off there this year than he was with the big team. Still hate the decision to keep him with the Canucks last year instead of sending him back to junior. I'm certainly happy Jake's in Utica working on his game but feel like him spending last year with the Canucks will ultimately be a blessing for him because he'll be able to use the experience as a barometer to where he needs to be as an NHLer, and what he'll be up against when he finally gets back to that level. The NHL is a mans league physically. The expectations of Jake are to play a physical game against men, when he's not yet a man himself. I think 2 years in Utica and Jake'll be a very important player for us. We just need to be patient with him. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caknuckle Puck Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 yeee virts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stierlitz Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJDDawg Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 18 minutes ago, Stierlitz said: Really hope they don't bring him back just because of a handful of good games. He really needs to stay down there this season and then determine if he's ready. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiDeN Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 I watched their game last night. Virtanen looked hungry on the PP. Demko was great, especially in the 1st. Pedan laid some big hits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phat Fingers Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 On December 8, 2016 at 4:07 AM, Harvey Spector said: Another goal on the left side. His first shot on the right side was saved but he came around the net and got that quick release off on the left side and top shelf. Jake is a left winger. Looks so much more comfortable on the left side. I hope he stays down in Utica all year long and plays predominately on the left side. He has so much potential and raw ability. Not to mention we could very much use his 225 pound frame to lay out some big hits on the opposition. Many of us have been advocating this. Jake is the bruising Left Winger we need. Now the team needs to be patient with him, until he makes it impossible to deny him NHL minutes. What Jake was missing was hunger in his play. Hopefully he finds it. Gotta wonder on another note how hard it would be to jump to the NHL as a 19 y/o playing on his weak side, the eye test and his offense seems to indicate that he is way more comfortable on the left side. EW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firestorm238 Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Yeah I agree - I feel like Willie has been keeping him at RW to help him feel more comfortable not realizing that he's actually way more comfortable at LW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tre Mac Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 2 hours ago, firestorm238 said: Yeah I agree - I feel like Willie has been keeping him at RW to help him feel more comfortable not realizing that he's actually way more comfortable at LW. Think WD used the 'it's harder to backcheck on your offwing' bit as to why he likes him at RW but I can't confirm that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Barzal Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 I think its entirely possible Jake suffers from Yakupov-itis. Just a kid who's gotten by on raw talent and physical characteristics alone and has never actually had to conform to systemic approaches. The Blues are literally trying to rewire the way Yak thinks the game right now to help him out. That's probably the mission Travis Green's beem given as well. If so we need Virtanen down there for at least 2 years. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b3. Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 1 hour ago, Mathew Barzal said: I think its entirely possible Jake suffers from Yakupov-itis. Just a kid who's gotten by on raw talent and physical characteristics alone and has never actually had to conform to systemic approaches. The Blues are literally trying to rewire the way Yak thinks the game right now to help him out. That's probably the mission Travis Green's beem given as well. If so we need Virtanen down there for at least 2 years. You can say that, he was a king as a teenager, especially going 1st overall in the bantam draft. My brother from another mother played with him pre-WHL, and against him in the WHL. He had some interesting things to say, but hopefully Jake can grow up and put in a honest and serious effort. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saucypass Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Yeah have to agree that left wing might be best for him. Much better angles for his shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
messier's_elbow Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Like I've been saying all along... might take him till 23 or so but he will figure it out and be our version of Krieder. Green seems to be working well with him just like Baer a few seasons ago. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJDDawg Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 2 hours ago, b3. said: You can say that, he was a king as a teenager, especially going 1st overall in the bantam draft. My brother from another mother played with him pre-WHL, and against him in the WHL. He had some interesting things to say, but hopefully Jake can grow up and put in a honest and serious effort. Any tidbits you can share? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 3 hours ago, b3. said: You can say that, he was a king as a teenager, especially going 1st overall in the bantam draft. My brother from another mother played with him pre-WHL, and against him in the WHL. He had some interesting things to say, but hopefully Jake can grow up and put in a honest and serious effort. Well, my brother from another planet knows someone who played with JV, and he says... come on, seriously? You CLEARLY have it in for our prospect, and I actually take offence to your post, suggesting negative things like that about Jake without any SUBSTANTIATION. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Monahan Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 1 hour ago, MJDDawg said: Any tidbits you can share? My old man's friend is a WHL ref and said in his roughly 12 years there's been two players that were far and away the biggest a-holes he's dealt with. Number one was none other than Evander Kane with Virt a somewhat distant second. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beary Sweet Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 He's far better on his off wing and I agree with most of you that he should play on the left wing if Willie lets him play there and figure it out. He's been doing well as of late and honestly it's only a matter of time till he's back in the big club. Probably next season. He needs to consistently post some points so JB can think about calling him back up again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hortankin Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Trade him they said... He's a bust they said... Virtanen Horvat Boeser = future 1st line 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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