Alexandre Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 This is what intrigues me about Jake. I know I am getting way ahead of myself, but I think he will become a leader and dynamic top line winger for us. I think some of you are thinking the same thing but know that a lot of things have to go right for this to happen. Some here, no doubt, see the possibilities of Jake becoming a first line winger, but are not sure if he can reach it. I mean, Etem for example, has great speed, is slightly bigger, and has also scored 45 goals in the WHL in his draft year, but nobody is predicting first line winger for him. What then, separates Jake from Etem? There is something special about Jake but you can't quite put your finger on it. I think what is special is Jake has all the right mental aptitudes for hockey. He has the passion, drive, toughness and mindset to excel in the NHL. Sure he has natural gifts like size and speed but his passion, drive and toughness has enabled him to reach elite level skating and hitting in the best league in the world. He has the mindset to become a leader. You are starting to see leadership from Jake. Not only on the ice, or the dressing room but with his interaction with the people around him. These abilities will help take his talent to elite levels. "The topic of greatness is one of the most fascinating in all of psychology and has relevance for every single human being on this planet. As it turns out, the truth is far more nuanced, complex, and fascinating than any one viewpoint or paradigm can possibly reveal. It’s time to go beyond talent or practice. Greatness is much, much more." http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/the-complexity-of-greatness-beyond-talent-or-practice/ I know it is too early and my expectations are probably too high but I think I am not the only one to be intrigued by Jake Virtanen's possibilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
messier's_elbow Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 He really is one of a kind. This kind of size and speed is rare. I don't remember anyone besides Lindros to throw so many hard hits at this young of an age. His closest comparable is Krieder though. I think Jake might end up a tad better but they will be similar players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toni Zamboni Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Sky is the limit......could be a music star one day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexandre Posted March 4, 2016 Author Share Posted March 4, 2016 5 minutes ago, Toni Zamboni said: Sky is the limit......could be a music star one day! Ha ha ha....maybe. He did well here. Showed some leadership too. Nobody else wanted to go first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklehead44 Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 I think he will be a player who will typically give you 15-30 goals, with 30 goals being his ceiling. 1st line player is probably his ceiling, but I don't see him being a "star", more of a below average first liner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexandre Posted March 4, 2016 Author Share Posted March 4, 2016 7 minutes ago, canucklehead44 said: I think he will be a player who will typically give you 15-30 goals, with 30 goals being his ceiling. 1st line player is probably his ceiling, but I don't see him being a "star", more of a below average first liner. I'll take that any day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyLuciano Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 20-30 goals a year would be my guess, just need to find him a play making center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeeBee51 Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Big sky is the big limit for big country. Top line power forward in the right situation. I honestly could see him getting 40 goals on the right line, especially if goalie equipment gets shrunk a bit and scoring get at least back up to the Nazzy era. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexandre Posted March 4, 2016 Author Share Posted March 4, 2016 ^ You think big. I like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklehead44 Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 46 minutes ago, Alexandre said: I'll take that any day. Me too! If we can get two big pieces to build around in the next two drafts, Virtanen will be a perfect complimentary player like Lucic or Sharp. If we draft a defenseman this year, and get a top 5 pick next year and go with a forward, we could compete in 18/19: 1. If the Sedins can pot 50 points each at 3.5 million when the re-sign 2. The defenseman we draft this year has become productive. Hutton, Tanev (no decline), and the money saved to spend on a UFA - solid top 4. Edler would be our salty vet, and hopefully one of Tyramkin / Pedan / Subban will be playing at top 4 calibre. 3. Our young forwards of today - Virtanen / Horvat / Baertschi / McCann / Gaunce are playing near prime levels, Boeser is in the lineup providing some secondary scoring 4. We pick-up another productive young rookie in the next draft in the top 5 who can contribute right away 5. Markstrom / Demko provides us elite level goaltending Downside : 1. Horvat RFA next year 2. Hansen UFA 3. Virtanen and McCann will be RFA The stars might not align, and there is ALOT of "what-ifs", but there is hope! If we can somehow get our young guys to hit peak productivity while still on affordable contracts while having our vets still productive we have a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexandre Posted March 4, 2016 Author Share Posted March 4, 2016 9 minutes ago, canucklehead44 said: Me too! If we can get two big pieces to build around in the next two drafts, Virtanen will be a perfect complimentary player like Lucic or Sharp. If we draft a defenseman this year, and get a top 5 pick next year and go with a forward, we could compete in 18/19: 1. If the Sedins can pot 50 points each at 3.5 million when the re-sign 2. The defenseman we draft this year has become productive. Hutton, Tanev (no decline), and the money saved to spend on a UFA - solid top 4. Edler would be our salty vet, and hopefully one of Tyramkin / Pedan / Subban will be playing at top 4 calibre. 3. Our young forwards of today - Virtanen / Horvat / Baertschi / McCann / Gaunce are playing near prime levels, Boeser is in the lineup providing some secondary scoring 4. We pick-up another productive young rookie in the next draft in the top 5 who can contribute right away Downside : 1. Horvat RFA next year 2. Hansen UFA 3. Virtanen and McCann will be RFA The stars might not align, but there is hope! Your assumption of course is that all these young guys develop. So far their trajectories point to this. You have to give a lot of credit to Linden, Benning, and Desjardins. Especially Desjardins. He has a good track record of development. This is another factor in my confidence in Virtanen reaching his ceiling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeeBee51 Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 The Canucks have not had too much trouble with RFA's...... lets hope it continues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timberz21 Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Almost every top 10 picks have the potential to be top line and top 2 D....otherwise they would get pick much later. The more important question should be how probable Jake reaches this potential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Balboa Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Unless we draft Matthews, trade for St. Louis or end up with some star player, he'd be on the #1 line on this team in the future. If he played with Patrick Kane he'd probably get like 60 pts a year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryanstorm Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Hoping 1st liner, kid hasn't reached his potential yet. At worst a decent 3rd/4th liner. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Money Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 3 minutes ago, Ryanstorm said: Hoping 1st liner, kid hasn't reached his potential yet. At worst a decent 3rd/4th liner. lol He's already that, and he's only 19. And that is including missing a whole offseason to injury rehab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrinceGeorgeGoon Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 When the canucks are good enough to have a Sedin line second line I'd like to see virtanen on it. First line being horvat, baertschi and Etem. I hope we trade elder, I like him but trade or buy out burrows. If hammer will take 3 mill or less give him a 2 year. Virtanen is very much a lid still his ceiling is not going to limited by his body (barring injury ) it's going to be limited by his attitude. Let's not forget the best hockey player had brilliant hockey minds . I would not compare athletes like Gretzky and gudreau against Ovechkin. The latter two being far superior in strength proving the altheticism and mental aspect of NHL success. Even Patrick Kane is a strong athlete compared to Gretzky and Gudreau. Virtanen is strong but he's still figuring things out and u don't see the tenacity and single-minded focus and grit he's going to need to progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bad alice french Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 He's a monster with a little baby fat. He's going to trim out into man muscle this off season and get even more confident. Him and Horvat are huge bright spots for us right now. These guys are so fast and they take it to the net every time. We're in transition but I'm pumped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexandre Posted March 4, 2016 Author Share Posted March 4, 2016 55 minutes ago, timberz21 said: Almost every top 10 picks have the potential to be top line and top 2 D....otherwise they would get pick much later. The more important question should be how probable Jake reaches this potential. Yes, you do have a point. In my opinion he is a future first line winger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC2 Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 Realistically, a 2nd line power forward who can consistently put up 45 - 50 points, 20 - 30 goals and hit like a truck is what I'm hoping for. He definitely has the potential to be better but he has a long way to go and will need the right line mates to compliment him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.