mathonwy
Positively #toxic
- Jan 21, 2008
- 19,440
- 10,419
Why does it matter if people get behind him or not?
Isn't cheering for him on your own enough?
Player Discussion Jake "Big Tuna" Virtanen | XVII Nikolaj Who...?
- Thread starter ProstheticConscience
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Why does it matter if people get behind him or not?
Isn't cheering for him on your own enough?
rune74
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2008
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I'm just wondering that's all...we have a tenancy to pile on players in vancouver once they are in the dog house.
I have no issues either. But it's 3 games. And not against NHL competition. I'm encouraged but it's only a start. He's coming back from a real steep dip in his progression.
Biggest difference with Jake I can see is he is moving his feet more and gliding around the ice less. He's challenging for pucks more and getting into open spaces a lot better than the last couple of years. His speed and size makes him a handful when he actually keeps his feet moving. Still see a potential Chris Kreider if he can play this way consistently.
rune74
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2008
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He had a nice break in the final bit of the game there...his speed was great. I think we will see more of that as his confidence goes up.
Now, the coaches have to build him up, reward him for playing well...lets not willie the poor guy.
BROCK HUGHES
Registered User
Shareefruck
Registered User
Definitely doing about as well as can be expected to reverse his fortunes.
I thought he might have been slowly tracking in that direction with the work that Green did on him in the minors, but I didn't think it could happen this quickly.
I thought he might have been slowly tracking in that direction with the work that Green did on him in the minors, but I didn't think it could happen this quickly.
I’m excited about a potential future top 6 with Horvat, Boeser and Virtanen making up half of it. It might be best to play Virtanen in the NHL, he’s looking ready as long as we don’t press box him and play him on the 4 line. Green has done a great job with Jake.
Bad News Benning
Fallin for Dahlin?
Jake has always been capable of playing well for short stretches of time. Consistency (on and off the ice) is really the biggest question and will determine if he will be a bust/4th liner that bounces around the league or an effective 2nd/3rd liner.
I think it's important to track his development over a longer stretch than 3 games before we get too excited. Let's see how he responds to Utica in the event he doesn't make the team.
I think it's important to track his development over a longer stretch than 3 games before we get too excited. Let's see how he responds to Utica in the event he doesn't make the team.
I said it in the game day thread, but I'll put this here, as well:
Consistency in terms of his attitude has always been Virtanen's greatest pitfall - it, more than any perceived or real concerns about his ability to process the game, will determine his ceiling.
I really hope this stretch is the start of him figuring it out for good, and not just a February 2016-esque blip. Would be a massive swing if he can track even as a top-nine forward from here out.
Consistency in terms of his attitude has always been Virtanen's greatest pitfall - it, more than any perceived or real concerns about his ability to process the game, will determine his ceiling.
I really hope this stretch is the start of him figuring it out for good, and not just a February 2016-esque blip. Would be a massive swing if he can track even as a top-nine forward from here out.
I'm beginning to think that way too. It may be important to have Green keep on helping him become a consistent NHLer.
Shareefruck
Registered User
I think he's showing some things during this stretch that he didn't show in past years even when he did play well for short stretches, though.
I've seen him play well on adrenaline and physicality alone before, but I haven't seen this kind of polish in his fundamentals until now.
rune74
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2008
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Thing is, going off unholy goalie that wasn't the case in the A last year, his attitude and play was pretty consistent after an adjustment period. Goals just weren't there though.
BenningHurtsMySoul
Unfair Huggy Bear
Gonna have to keep being patient with this guy. He's slowly but surely figuring his game out. We need him to become an impact player.
If Jake keeps this play up when he has to face more NHL type rosters, he should make the team. He’s got the skill, speed, size, shot for the NHL, he’s seems to be reading plays much better and not a problem defensively, actually he’s been decent here. If he’s ready give him the ice time and a spot, Green has a great relationship with Jake so I do see this helping a lot. We can’t **** up his development anymore Willie did enough damage to this kid.
PG Canuck
Registered User
- Mar 29, 2010
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BeardyCanuck03
@BeardyCanuck03
Virtanen playing spot duty and working his way into an everyday lineup spot is what I'm hoping for. Green really seems to get it and I want him to be in control of Virtanen's development.
I would say at this point, Virtanen has put himself in serious contention for a 4th line spot on the team. With Gaunce out until November, the competition is probably Dorsett, Upshall, White, Boucher, Burmistrov, Megna, Chaput, Laplant. I can't see both White and Upshall on PTOs making the roster - probably only Upshall. Burmistrov is a C. Dorsett is probably still a lock - until he's not. So if it comes down to Boucher, Megna, Chaput, Laplant or Virtanen.
No brainer.
No brainer.
GetFocht
Indestructible
- Jun 11, 2013
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Baertschi-Horvat-Boeser
Sedin-Sedin-Gagner
Eriksson-Sutter-Vanek
Rodin-Burmistrov-Virtanen
Dorsett
This is how I am starting to see the final line-up is going look like. Virtanen is a different player this year and I would want him developing under Green
Sedin-Sedin-Gagner
Eriksson-Sutter-Vanek
Rodin-Burmistrov-Virtanen
Dorsett
This is how I am starting to see the final line-up is going look like. Virtanen is a different player this year and I would want him developing under Green
canuckfromtoronto
Hutton Chops
FOurteenS inCisOr
FOS COrp CEO
Virtanen should still start in the AHL.
He's played well in pre-season, but it's a few games against mediocre competition.
Let him earn a call-up with some consistent play.
The Canucks have better options for depth roles.
He's played well in pre-season, but it's a few games against mediocre competition.
Let him earn a call-up with some consistent play.
The Canucks have better options for depth roles.
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