Zack's Teeth Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I know there has been a ton of talk around our prospects now that we have something to watch/comment on over the last week, but surprisingly not much has been said regarding Virtanen's direction. A few have said they're worried about injury with him (again) which is valid, I just want to expand on that. No doubt we knew he had a mean streak in him on draft day but it seemed to be a compliment to his main dish (offense), if you will. But as I see him progress, its more and more about getting a big hit in each shift rather than using his offensive talent. Not to say that he doesn't, just making a point that his focus is changing. I leave this not up to the player to fix, but the coach's, to identify and correct bad habits. Crucial years of development are at this age for a prospect, further it need to come from the top down that "Hey, Do we want this Kid to be a grinder who produces on the 3rd line or an offensive force with an edge?". Its clearly because I'm too invested in our team but god damn this scares me!! For reference, watch the mic'd up video on CDC where our assistant his telling Jake to get his feet moving more so he can run at nurse... that's our top prospect your telling to go run another play like WTF! Let me know what you guys think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monteeun Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I don't know. What's the full context? Is there more? maybe this is just my impression, but i get the sense that he may be saying that because nurse is a shifty fella and that if you want to hit him, you gotta move your feet more. Gotta get in there with speed not just with size. I know Benning had talked about how Virtanen was moving his feet more to drive to the net and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejazz97 Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Jake Virtnanen, you say? Jake Virtnanenanenanenanenanenanenanen Batman!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanTSN Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack's Teeth Posted September 17, 2015 Author Share Posted September 17, 2015 Jake Virtnanen, you say? Jake Virtnanenanenanenanenanenanenanen Batman!!!! Ahah crap. Can't change it now. Your comment will be the first of many Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amish Rake Fighter Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Can't change it now. yes you can, press the 'Edit' button and then press the 'Use Full Editor' button Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monteeun Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 yes you can, press the 'Edit' button and then press the 'Use Full Editor' button No, don't tell him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amish Rake Fighter Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 d'oh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CANUCK-EXPRESS Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!Can't say the word 'direction' without seeing these guys these days.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeremyCuddles Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Well if he doesn't have the puck I'd like for him to be hitting folks. Can't score if Nurse or some other opposing player has the puck. What do you want him to do when the opposing team has the puck, not hit them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Not much has been said? Really? There's been lots said - especially in the Jake Virtanen Talk thread - after his performance at the Young Stars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack's Teeth Posted September 17, 2015 Author Share Posted September 17, 2015 Not much has been said? Really? There's been lots said - especially in the Jake Virtanen Talk thread - after his performance at the Young Stars. You're right, a few comments here and there but I thought it deserved its own post to see what nuckleheads had to say lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hearditall Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 No matter what Jake ends up being, he brings a broader prospect upside than any power forward we've had in many years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkyard Dog Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Pointless thread when you already have a prospect thread. http://forum.canucks.com/topic/361459-jake-virtanen-talk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BananaMash Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Pointless thread when you already have a prospect thread. http://forum.canucks.com/topic/361459-jake-virtanen-talk/ Pointless post when we already have a master of vigilante forum moderation. http://forum.canucks.com/user/36372-elvis15/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack's Teeth Posted September 17, 2015 Author Share Posted September 17, 2015 Man, this thread is salty as &^@#!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollieo Del Fuego Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 You are right in that his direction is usually North-South...but his playing style dictates a lot of up and down as players try to hit him as well he will be picking himself up off the ice more then a star should... May not be to healthy for his long term survival Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 .... But as I see him progress, its more and more about getting a big hit in each shift rather than using his offensive talent. Not to say that he doesn't, just making a point that his focus is changing. I leave this not up to the player to fix, but the coach's, to identify and correct bad habits. Crucial years of development are at this age for a prospect, further it need to come from the top down that "Hey, Do we want this Kid to be a grinder who produces on the 3rd line or an offensive force with an edge?". ... Good question. I have been thinking the same thing. It looks like Jake is focusing on trying to make the team this year. If that happens it is likely to be as a bottom 6 grinder who provides toughness and plays a fast north-south game. Maybe he can develop from there into into a top 6 winger down the road with more offensive creativity. The alternative is to go back to junior and focus more on offensive creativity and try to make the team next year as a top 6 RW (when Vrby will be gone and Burrows might move to the 3rd line). The problem is that Jake might be very successful playing a "junior game" and score a lot but he might pick up bad habits and have to change his game when he gets to the NHL. It is not obvious which route is best as we have seen successes and failures on both paths. But I think it is clear Benning and Linden favor the first path -- show he can do something at the NHL level (bottom 6 winger) and then work on moving up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckylager Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I took the "move your feet" more as "if you coast you'll miss him". For sure I'd rather see him as a top 6 with an edge than a pin cushion grinder, but he likes to hit and he's really good at it. In his prospects thread you can watch some huge hits the guy delivers on bigger dudes, that's what he's all about, keeps everyone on their toes and can burry the puck, a real beauty Canadian PWF. I get not wanting him to be injured or be steered the wrong way in his focus, but I doubt TL and JB will want him to stifle his offensive talents for a few hits, if anything they'll be tempering him to be that top 6 PW he should be. I wouldn't worry man. Edit- but even if he turns out to be a Raffi Torres, he'll be a Canuck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crabcakes Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Man, this thread is salty as frack!! Welcome to CDC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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