Player Discussion Jake "Big Tuna" Virtanen | XVII Nikolaj Who...?

[Orca Smash]

He does look like a different player, much more engaged and not waiting for someone or a lucky bounce to get him the puck.

He needs to keep attacking and hopefully he can turn into a good player with a unique skill set.

 

[Tom sestito]

I'd like to see a few lines throughout the course of the season:

Sedin - Sedin - Boeser
Sedin - Sedin - Virtanen
Baertschi - Horvat - Boeser
Baertschi - Horvat - Virtanen

Not really related but, I wonder how long Baertschi will be along for. To me, he's not consistent enough to play in the top 6 and not gritty enough to be in the bottom. He's kind of stuck in the middle.

 

[IComeInPeace]

I would previously have preferred for him to play another season in the AHL, but if he can continue to show well, and against better competition, maybe it's better for him to stay here under Greens watchful eye, rather than yet another new head coach.

It seems like him and Green are very much on the same page, and if his play warrants it, I'd really hesitate to take him away from Green at this point.

 

[VanJack]

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.

Really?.....who are the better options?.....Dorsett who's coming off neck surgery; Chaput or Megna?.....Virtanen is virtually the only forward the Canucks have with his combination of speed and physicality.

I urge posters to get up at the crack of dawn tomorrow (4:30 a.m.) and watch who Green uses on the fourth line for the pre-season game with Kings and then tell me again they're a better option than Virtanen.

 

[PG Canuck]

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.

I think you have to reward him. He's been good enough to get some NHL games, and to try and boost his confidence. It's time to see if he's for real, or if he's just playing well enough against lesser competition.

I think rewarding him after a good stretch, albeit small, will be good for his spirits too. We don't need to Willie D him and break his spirits/momentum after stringing together some good games and really, there is nothing to lose by playing him in the NHL to see if he can be consistent. If not, then to Utica he goes.

I'd rather see Virtanen than Chaput/Megna or whatever other garbage is tossed out there.

 

[FOurteenS inCisOr]

Really?.....who are the better options?.....Dorsett who's coming off neck surgery; Chaput or Megna?.....Virtanen is virtually the only forward the Canucks have with his combination of speed and physicality.

I urge posters to get up at the crack of dawn tomorrow (4:30 a.m.) and watch who Green uses on the fourth line for the pre-season game with Kings and then tell me again they're a better option than Virtanen.

Yes. I would absolutely rather see those players play 4th line duty on the Canucks while Virtanen gets top-6 minutes in Utica.

It's not about what's best for the Canucks this season (although I'm not even sure having Virtanen there instead of the above would accomplish that). It's about what's better for the next decade.

 

[PG Canuck]

I would previously have preferred for him to play another season in the AHL, but if he can continue to show well, and against better competition, maybe it's better for him to stay here under Greens watchful eye, rather than yet another new head coach.

It seems like him and Green are very much on the same page, and if his play warrants it, I'd really hesitate to take him away from Green at this point.

I can't remember if it was during one of the prospects games or whatever, but it was where Virtanen had a good game and he was involved all night and then in OT, Green started Virtanen. Green said he liked Virtanen's game and thought he deserved to be rewarded with starting OT.

That would never happen under Desjardins and that is why I think Green will be beneficial for Virtanen's development. I think Green in general is beneficial for everyone, but small things like starting Virtanen in OT can go along way for a players confidence.

There's no mixed signals coming from Green...Virtanen played well enough and got rewarded - under Willie he would play well enough and get less icetime...that can be taxing on a player and have them thinking, "Really? I play well enough and yet I'm not goo enough for you still? What else do I have to do?".

 

[VanJack]

He does look like a different player, much more engaged and not waiting for someone or a lucky bounce to get him the puck.

He needs to keep attacking and hopefully he can turn into a good player with a unique skill set.

What a difference a coach can make....Jake seems to be playing with no fear out there...just letting his natural skill-set take over....Green has obviously given him a clear direction on what he has to do to make it in the NHL....only question is whether he can do it consistently.

 

[The Drop]

It's amazing what not showing up to camp looking like the Blob can do.

This seems to be more and more like something that has to do with the training regimen that they're putting prospects on.

Which is alarming

 

[PG Canuck]

This seems to be more and more like something that has to do with the training regimen that they're putting prospects on.

Which is alarming

Well it's now been an issue with two top picks, so it's obviously not them at this point. Maybe this will make them realize making them bigger and fatter isn't better.

 

[xtra]

Jake impressed me today vs Calgary, he seemed engaged quite a bit more than normal and made smarter plays than I've seen him make in the past. With that said he should be in the AHL plying on the top line because this team doesn't need him to be a bottom 9 forward in the NHL but a top 6 player, thus getting confidence and being a go to offensive player in the AHL is best for him and the franchise long term.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

What a difference a coach can make....Jake seems to be playing with no fear out there...just letting his natural skill-set take over....Green has obviously given him a clear direction on what he has to do to make it in the NHL....only question is whether he can do it consistently.

Playing Jake in the NHL so young was such a huge mistake. He looked so lost on where to go and what to do, I've never seen anyone hang back so far out of fear of being caught deep or go for a change at the most awkward times. Really good to see that it was just nerves and bad coaching that caused his apparent lack of hockey IQ.

 

[CherryToke]

Scoring from bad angles isn't very sustainable in the NHL or AHL and that seems to be his go to move. He needs to learn how to get into prime scoring areas and be more of a threat in the offensive zone.

 

[DownGoesMcDavid]

Jake is having a great camp. But it all boils down to this.

If you want him to be a bottom 6 grinder then play him w. The canucks this year which means 12 min ice time per game , limited pp time if any and playing w. Grinders.

If you want jake to have a chance at becoming that power forward scoring winger then you send him to UTica where he would play in every situation, top 6 minutes , top line PP and probably close to 19 min a night.

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

Not really related but, I wonder how long Baertschi will be along for. To me, he's not consistent enough to play in the top 6 and not gritty enough to be in the bottom. He's kind of stuck in the middle.

not to be a downer, but haven't we assembled an entire roster of just that?

 

[mathonwy]

Earn your minutes.

Be able to play up and down the line up.

If the coach puts you on the 4th line, be the best damn 4th liner on the team.

Bo did it. Burr did it. Honey badger did it.

 

[Bleach Clean]

Scoring from bad angles isn't very sustainable in the NHL or AHL and that seems to be his go to move. He needs to learn how to get into prime scoring areas and be more of a threat in the offensive zone.

I have put forth a similar critique in the GDT, but yes, the way he plays needs an adjustment. It's great that he's engaged. It's even better that his confidence is growing based off of his scoring, but he really needs to adjust the efficiency in his game. He still needs time. I think he ends up in the AHL by the end of camp.

 

[thepuckmonster]

I have put forth a similar critique in the GDT, but yes, the way he plays needs an adjustment. It's great that he's engaged. It's even better that his confidence is growing based off of his scoring, but he really needs to adjust the efficiency in his game. He still needs time. I think he ends up in the AHL by the end of camp.

Being a late cut may be the best for his confidence in Utica. I still can't believe that Desjardins spent next to no time telling Jake what he needed to improve on. Good riddance to bad garbage.

 

[Bleach Clean]

Being a late cut may be the best for his confidence in Utica. I still can't believe that Desjardins spent next to no time telling Jake what he needed to improve on. Good riddance to bad garbage.

WD's lack of communication is baffling, true.

Interested to see what Cull does with Jake. I don't want to get ahead of things, but I think he will be able to take Jakes game to the next level.

 

[Johnny Canucker]

Earn your minutes.

Be able to play up and down the line up.

If the coach puts you on the 4th line, be the best damn 4th liner on the team.

Bo did it. Burr did it. Honey badger did it.

None of those were #6 overall pick. Bo was close but he didn't play 4th line long we are hoping maybeeeee jake can be a 4th liner regularity and he's a #5.

That's brutal.

 

[Ace of Hades]

Not really related but, I wonder how long Baertschi will be along for. To me, he's not consistent enough to play in the top 6 and not gritty enough to be in the bottom. He's kind of stuck in the middle.

1) He has chemistry with Horvat. His offensive production is rising after every year. He's only 23/24, not even in his prime yet. Baertschi will be here as long he continues to improve. He was a on a second line scoring pace prior to his injury.

2) He may not be an ideal bottom 6 forward, but he's capable of being to score his goals infront of the net, work hard, and is improving defensively.

 

[Diamonddog01]

Jake is having a great camp. But it all boils down to this.

If you want him to be a bottom 6 grinder then play him w. The canucks this year which means 12 min ice time per game , limited pp time if any and playing w. Grinders.

If you want jake to have a chance at becoming that power forward scoring winger then you send him to UTica where he would play in every situation, top 6 minutes , top line PP and probably close to 19 min a night.

Yup. Needs to play first line minutes in the AHL, and if he doubles his ppg pace down there over the full course of a year (I think he needs to be at least 0.6 ppg if there's any hope of him turning into a top 6 forward), I'll be far more optimistic about this player.

 

[DL44]

Virtanen has played as well i had hoped and expected....

Every good play/shift we've seen out of him has been forshadowed in doses during his rookie season.

Just had to wait for him to put it all together for 60 mins.. and hes done just that in preseason. NHL is different beast.

Conditioning less significant of an issue.
Shot is back.

He will earn a roster spot and eventually move up the lineup this season... just like i predicted he would in game 1 this preseason when people were when he started on an AHL line.

Thats what we should of named this thread:

Jake Virtanen -

 

[CanaFan]

1) He has chemistry with Horvat. His offensive production is rising after every year. He's only 23/24, not even in his prime yet. Baertschi will be here as long he continues to improve. He was a on a second line scoring pace prior to his injury.

2) He may not be an ideal bottom 6 forward, but he's capable of being to score his goals infront of the net, work hard, and is improving defensively.

Baertschi will be 25 in less than a month. Not "23/24".

Players at 25 generally are what they are. He may not be at his absolute peak but he's likely very close already.

 

[Canucker]

Baertschi will be 25 in less than a month. Not "23/24".

Players at 25 generally are what they are. He may not be at his absolute peak but he's likely very close already.

Agreed. I don't think Baertschi's game has another level. He may rise a little bit due to Bo (or another high potential linemate) raising his game, but it's hard to imagine Baertschi elevating much higher, if at all.