Interesting proposition.
If the Flames feel that Virtanen has high upside, they take this and run.
I am not sure that he does have high upside. He has a lot of really nice attributes - great speed, plays physical (when he isn't injured - is he really playing through an injury? If so, why???), and has a nice shot. He just doesn't seem to have a very high IQ at all.
Ferland is really coming around. As others have mentioned, he is off to a great start, and is looking like a much more consistent NHL'er. Plays a complete 200ft game, seems smart out there and much more mature.
I don't think I take this deal if I am Calgary. People also forget that Ferland scored 47 goals in his best year in the WHL (2 more than Virtanen's best year) and 96 points (25 more than Virtanen's best year), while beating up outright goons at times. It isn't a given that Virtanen exceeds Ferland, draft position be damned.
Flames will likely say no. Next month will be a definite no if Virtanen is still playing through a bad shoulder.
I loved Virtanen in his draft year for the first half, but the 2nd it kind of fell apart for me because he was just not very dynamic. I think he got too high, and if Vancouver wanted a PWF, Ritchie would have been the better pick (higher IQ and playmaking ability), but that is a discussion for another time.
It is easy for Vancouver fans to come back with a big "hell no" - understandably given Virtanen's pedigree. I just don't much like him as a prospect.
Now how much do we have to add to Ferland for Boeser? Now there is a prospect I love.
(and no, not being serious and please don't respond with actual proposals and derailing this thread - I know Boeser would be outrageously expensive to pry out of the Canucks. Just wanted to point out that I am not down on all Canucks prospects, and Boeser is going to be a gem of a player down the road. I think he is going to be a huge piece for Vancouver).
