ButterBean Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 So with the addition of Eriksson I assume he'll play on the top line with the Sedins. And with Baertschi/Horvat taking their spot at LW/C for the 2nd line that leaves a void at RW. I'm hoping Benning can work out a trade for a top 6 forward but he doesn't have too many expendable assets to work with outside of Tanev/Sbisa. If so I think Jake Virtanen is a perfect fit on the ice and development wise for the 3rd line along with Sutter and Hansen. If I'm not mistaken he was drafted as a LW and he can play a crash and bang game while chipping in some goals. Sutter can work as our best shutdown center and Hansen is a good forechecker/two-way player who brings speed as well. All the qualities you want in a 3rd line. Although I could see Virtanen playing some 2nd line with Baertschi/Horvat depending on the forwards we roll with next year and who can make the leap. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyWalton Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I dont think it would hurt him to go to Utica and play under Green to start the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCNate Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I'm a big fan of Virtanen, and feel he will be a big part of the future here. My hope for next year is that he gets the minutes that he needs to develop properly. I think it is best for him to get 1st line minutes in Utica to start the season and get called up at the 30-50 game mark with some confidence. He showed flashed of being a hard driving power forward (his goal against the flyers was a perfect example), I just think he needs to develop that side of his game in the AHL a bit more. Physically he is ready for the NHl for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuck-Shot Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Depends who we pick up. If he gets a top 6 look and fails we may get a bandaid while he's in utica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanuck Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 In order to reach his full potential Virt needs to play, and play a lot - in every situation including 5on5, PK, PP, overtime and shootout. And he needs to be able to do this in a situation where there's not necessarily no pressure, but perhaps less pressure. The only place he does this is in Utica imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklehead44 Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Virtanen isn't NHL ready for the role & type of player we want him to become. He is good enough to play on the fourth line but still needs more development before moving up into a top six role. He had a few good moments but when you also look at his 1 assist in 12 AHL games I would not say he is too good for the AHL and time there would be beneficial. I hope he is top line in Utica, and the second in line for call-up behind Gaunce. Probably gets in 20-30 NHL games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigOldOrca Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 For all the reasons in the above comments I agree send him to Utica for at least the first half of the season and then do a look see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocksterh8 Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Give him all kinds of minutes in Utica, he's not ready for the NHL yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naslund.is.king Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 To be determined..his role will all depend on himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IbanezRG Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Bottom six or Utica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boudrias Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I wouldn't be upset if Virtanen played in Utica next year. In fact it might be an option for him to go down and Desjardon takes a long look at Guance. Since both can be moved without waivers I suspect they will be. Rodin cannot be waived and I suspect he gets a serious look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off_The_Schneid! Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 26 minutes ago, canucklehead44 said: Virtanen isn't NHL ready for the role & type of player we want him to become. He is good enough to play on the fourth line but still needs more development before moving up into a top six role. He had a few good moments but when you also look at his 1 assist in 12 AHL games I would not say he is too good for the AHL and time there would be beneficial. I hope he is top line in Utica, and the second in line for call-up behind Gaunce. Probably gets in 20-30 NHL games. That one assist in 12 games was two seasons ago when he made the transition from juniors to the ahl for the playoffs shouldnt really be mentioned his game has come a long way since then and he has become even more physically mature the kids a beast, his backcheck was one of the best on the team, dynamic speed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higgyfan Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Top 6 Utica. Greene has ++ to teach him in the upcoming season. Returns to Canucks at trade deadline; possibly replacing Hansen who is traded to a contender for a promising young prospect or late 1st rounder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Just now, Off_The_Schneid! said: That one assist in 12 games was two seasons ago when he made the transition from juniors to the ahl for the playoffs shouldnt really be mentioned his game has come a long way since then and he has become even more physically mature the kids a beast, his backcheck was one of the best on the team, dynamic speed Yeah, Virtanen's AHL stats should probably be filed with Horvat's zero points in his games played in Utica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KelownaCanucksFan Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Where Virt will play next year will be decided by his training camp and maturity, if he comes into camp in great shape and plays like the beast he can then I can see him on the third line with bo and bear. If he comes into camp and doesn't impress or play well then it's off to Utica, neither scenario will be bad for his development, power forwards like defence men usually take a little more time to develop. I hate that chl rule, it's bad for the players development, Jake should have been in Utica last year, he had already outgrown the dub. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hero11 Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I really think that Vancouver needs to give Rodin a decent chance to thrive. Even if it means sending someone like Virtanen to Utica for the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Barzal Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Virtanen needs to learn the system so in a worst case scenario he bottoms out as a Torres. If his offensive instincts aren't here now they will never be. Defense can be taught and should be taught to him now to establish a work ethic and precedence. Green would do him a lot of good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maniwaki Canuck Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Could be anything from 2nd line to Utica. There were moments last year when he looked like a force and others when he was totally invisible. So as others have said above, it depends on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJDDawg Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Utica will be his role. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Crossbar Posted July 9, 2016 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Last week in that press conference Benning kinda briefly eluded to him having more of a role this season. He looks to be the type of guy who can handle the bar being raised and playing over his head. I'd even say he needs that to keep reaching for his best. Some guys don't need the bar lowered but instead need it raised. I kinda liken his trajectory to Bertuzzi's. He was largely developed at the NHL level from 19/20 onward. If you look at his physical play last season, he can already lay the body like a pro. We need that. The more situations he experiences at this level, the better he's going to be. Then again, roster spots may force to Utica anyway. Obviously we'll see how things play out in training camp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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