SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I'm a little worried about him to be honest, not exactly dominating right now. He has the raw tools but there is no gaurentee he can put them all together. While nylander is leading the SHL in points per game at the age of 18 and looking to be a bonafide superstar in the making. I know virtanen is coming off surgery but has to find a way to get going or he might not even be on the world junior team. There was an excellent post recently over at HFBoards where someone showed the estimated time on ice numbers for Virtanen and McCann this season (eTOI because the CHL doesn't track TOI--I believe the numbers used extraskater's old formula). What was very clear is that both players are being carefully eased back into action and their teams are managing their minutes. This is welcome news as it's far more in the Canucks' interest than in the junior teams to take things slowly and be extremely careful with bringing these guys back (simply because the junior shelf life is quite short while Vancouver is hoping to build around these players for the next decade or more). Even more encouraging than the care being taken by these CHL clubs (while they "babysit" our young players for a year or two) is the fact that both Virtanen and McCann are actually among their leagues' leaders in points/60, so they are producing well in limited minutes and there's no reason not to expect them to carry their high rates into higher minutes and more front line roles, once they are ready to take that step. For now, we know that they are producing better points per minute played than most of the first round picks of the past couple years, and doing so from second line roles and second unit PP. Basically, things are going as planned. Nothing to worry about. And I'll see if I can get a link up to that post or to the full stats, once I'm home and off mobile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Virtanen with two assists in a row to put the Hitmen on top 3-2 Still a period to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangerines Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Virtanen with two assists in a row to put the Hitmen on top 3-2 Still a period to go. Are you watching the game deniro? If so how is he playing overall? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks1219 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Virtanen with two assists in a row to put the Hitmen on top 3-2 Still a period to go. 12GP 3g 9a 12pts on the year with the one period to go in this one. These two assists tonight are primary assists too, so it confirms the fact that Jake Virtanen now has elite level hockey IQ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks1219 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 By the way, I just found out about the Greg Chase trade. For anyone else who isn't aware... Hitmen acquire Kanzig from Royals Nov 19, 2014 - 21:54 MST The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club today announced they have acquired 19-year-old Calgary Flames prospect Keegan Kanzig and a second-round pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft from the Victoria Royals in exchange for 19-year-old forward Greg Chase, a fifth-round pick in 2015 and an eighth-round selection in 2016. “Keegan is a stay-at-home defenceman who will immediately make us a stronger team,” said Hitmen General Manager and Vice President of Business Operations Mike Moore. “We have a young blueline that will benefit from his experience, leadership and on-ice presence. We have had interest in acquiring him for some time and feel fortunate that he is now a Calgary Hitmen.” Kanzig, a 6-6, 242-pound left-handed defenceman, is in his fourth WHL season. He has appeared in 217 regular season games, collecting 23 points (three goals, 20 assists) along with 375 penalty minutes. Kanzig has also played in 17 playoff games, adding two points (one goal, one assist) and 35 penalty minutes. The product of Athabasca, Alberta was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the third round, 67th overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the organization in December 2013. Kanzig is expected to make his Hitmen debut when Calgary returns to action on Friday at home against the Moose Jaw Warriors. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome for the CrossIron Mills Black Friday game. The Hitmen will then round out a busy weekend with a home-and-home series against the Red Deer Rebels, travelling to Red Deer Saturday night before hosting the Rebels for the return meeting Sunday, Nov. 23 at 6:00 p.m. Sunday’s game, originally scheduled for 4:00 p.m., has been pushed back two hours to give fans the opportunity to support the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL Western Final at McMahon Stadium. FWIW, that's one less top-6 forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks1219 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I hate to triple post but... Virtanen just scored. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absent Canuck Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I am glad he is rounding into form after that unfortunate injury. Good for Jake ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Sure he may be healthy, but he won`t be as fit or as strong as he would have been with a full summer of training. Add rust to that, and that may equal a slow start. Just be patient with him was the whole point. I`ve seen enough fans on here expect way too much out of young players, only to rip on them when they struggle. Like I said before he came back, it was likely he was going to have a slow start. I knew fans would start to question the pick when that happened too. Some people don't seem to understand that he missed a summer of training and was bound to be rusty. With 7 points in his last 5 games, it would seem like he's starting to round back into form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks1219 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Calgary Hitmen @WHLHitmen Three stars: 3. Ryan Gardiner 2. Jake Virtanen and 1. Kenton HelgesenCalgary Hitmen @WHLHitmen That's a wrap! #WHLHitmen collect points in seven straight game, beat Warriors 5-2, outshooting their opponent 35-17! On the night... 1G 2A 3PTS +2 2SOG Brings his point totals to... 12GP 4g 9a 13pts +1 16PIM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Chase gets traded and the next game Virtanen has a 3 point game...Coincidence? This should definitely mean more opportunity for him, especially on the powerplay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derp... Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 He's doing well! Hopefully he keeps racking up the points as they get ready for the WJC. Everyone will see how valuable VIrtanen is at that Tourny. Hopefully he can play with Bo, or with McDavid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 On the night... 1G 2A 3PTS +2 2SOG Brings his point totals to... 12GP 4g 9a 13pts +1 16PIM No skill talentless bum. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSnipeshow91 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 It's his decision making with and without the puck that needs work. Now that Chase is gone, Virtanen will get more offensive minutes, and that decision making will get better through more experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Does Calgary trade Virtanen for futures? They don't have alot of young talent on the team as in '98s or '99s. I think Virtanen gets traded from Calgary before he finishes his junior career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2SKATES1STICK Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 12GP 3g 9a 12pts on the year with the one period to go in this one. These two assists tonight are primary assists too, so it confirms the fact that Jake Virtanen now has elite level hockey IQ. haha oh craig button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger-Hearted Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Does Calgary trade Virtanen for futures? They don't have alot of young talent on the team as in '98s or '99s. I think Virtanen gets traded from Calgary before he finishes his junior career. It won't happen but how cool would it be if JV got traded to the Giants. Okay, better stop while I'm ahead. Dare to dream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derp... Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Virtanen for Benson? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaudette Celly Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 It won't happen but how cool would it be if JV got traded to the Giants. Would surely get more butts in the seats. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks1219 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 It won't happen but how cool would it be if JV got traded to the Giants. Okay, better stop while I'm ahead. Dare to dream. They're not a contending team so I doubt they would trade their young talent and picks (which CGY would want) for one year of Virtanen. I wouldn't want him to play on a subpar team anyways. Sorry Giants fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derp... Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Goal yesterday was Vintage Virtanen, got the puck at the blue line went wide around the defender to the net and tucked it in far side. I don't think he could have made that look any easier to be honest. it;s on the Hitmen website. http://www.hitmenhockey.com/video/44462 Assists were nothing special, but they all count! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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