So you're saying it was a bad pick?

I always thought of Kassian when I saw Virtanen. Pretty much identical player.
- Scooby_Doo

I am not saying it is a bad pick at all. I am saying that there are few players that can walk on to an NHL club and transition to the speed/skill/pace/system of the NHL from junior. Virtanen has all the tools to be a successful NHL player there is no doubt, but you can tell that he is not adjusting well. Junior and Pros are two completely different leagues. If he were sent down to the AHL, played top minutes, and could transition to the speed/skill properly from Junior to the Pro's, I think it would do wonders for his development. Apart from Horvat, who have the Canucks recently had has been able to walk on to the team flawlessly without having to spend some time on the farm? It is not easy, and that is not a knock on Virtanen, that is just the reality of how high the calibre is of players in the NHL

I am not saying it is a bad pick at all. I am saying that there are few players that can walk on to an NHL club and transition to the speed/skill/pace/system of the NHL from junior. Virtanen has all the tools to be a successful NHL player there is no doubt, but you can tell that he is not adjusting well. Junior and Pros are two completely different leagues. If he were sent down to the AHL, played top minutes, and could transition to the speed/skill properly from Junior to the Pro's, I think it would do wonders for his development. Apart from Horvat, who have the Canucks recently had has been able to walk on to the team flawlessly without having to spend some time on the farm? It is not easy, and that is not a knock on Virtanen, that is just the reality of how high the calibre is of players in the NHL
- Codes1087

Other than Hutton right?

Other than Hutton right?
- NorthNuck

You are right. Hutton was a freak and even more of an anomaly. To be a D-man out of college and to have that successful of a year, let alone make the NHL out of college is truly remarkable.

I'll chalk that one up to playing a lot of hockey in a short time. Mental mistakes and bad passes were abound in the 3rd.

Larsen has been just okay to me. He makes quite a few bad plays on the PP, which doesn't seem to really balance the number of good plays he makes. That said, when you are winning, it's nitpicking to really focus on a guy that has still had some hand in the success.

This week will be a good indicator if we are a team that can compete and win or just one that is good at staying close.

I'll chalk that one up to playing a lot of hockey in a short time. Mental mistakes and bad passes were abound in the 3rd.

Larsen has been just okay to me. He makes quite a few bad plays on the PP, which doesn't seem to really balance the number of good plays he makes. That said, when you are winning, it's nitpicking to really focus on a guy that has still had some hand in the success.

This week will be a good indicator if we are a team that can compete and win or just one that is good at staying close.
- micah555

Apart from his blunder against LA. I think he looks good on the PP. His accuracy in his slap shot is just ridiculous though. He never seems to hit the net.
His play during 5v5 is what scares me. Seems to be a good skater though.

I'll chalk that one up to playing a lot of hockey in a short time. Mental mistakes and bad passes were abound in the 3rd.

Larsen has been just okay to me. He makes quite a few bad plays on the PP, which doesn't seem to really balance the number of good plays he makes. That said, when you are winning, it's nitpicking to really focus on a guy that has still had some hand in the success.

This week will be a good indicator if we are a team that can compete and win or just one that is good at staying close.
- micah555

Weber 2.0? Maybe give it 5-6 more games.

Again not a fan of the 4 forwards + Larsen on PP1.

Edler?

Discuss.

Weber 2.0? Maybe give it 5-6 more games.

Again not a fan of the 4 forwards + Larsen on PP1.

Edler?

Discuss.
- LordHumungous

Edler on PP1 instead of Larsen is worth a shot. Edler has a heavier/accurate shot and is more sound defensively. I think it is worth a shot switching Larsen to PP2.

Edler on PP1 instead of Larsen is worth a shot. Edler has a heavier/accurate shot and is more sound defensively. I think it is worth a shot switching Larsen to PP2.
- Codes1087

Edler is so accurate he hits someones shin pads 90% of the time.

Edler is so accurate he hits someones shin pads 90% of the time.
- Retinalz

that is more or less a knock on the forwards screening or the defenseman blocking shots...

I would much rather Edler aim low and hope for a rebound and have it hit someones shin pads than 4 feet to the right/left/above the net from Larsen

Edler on PP1 instead of Larsen is worth a shot. Edler has a heavier/accurate shot and is more sound defensively. I think it is worth a shot switching Larsen to PP2.
- Codes1087

I disagree, Larsen has been much better on the PP than Edler has been in the years of being on it. The Sedin's are the primary puck distributors on the PP, they need mobile players darting in and out of openings, Edler is not that kind of skater, nor does he read offensive opportunities as well IMO.

The PP goal last night was because of Larsen getting across and pinching several times to keep possession, including the pass behind the net. He has missed a few good chances trying to pick corners, but hes hit a post or two and some of those backboard bounces have created a few chances too. That is much better than hitting a shinpad and having the puck bounce out of the zone

that is more or less a knock on the forwards screening or the defenseman blocking shots...

I would much rather Edler aim low and hope for a rebound and have it hit someones shin pads than 4 feet to the right/left/above the net from Larsen
- Codes1087

So you would rather the puck deflects outside the blue-line forcing us to lose valuable PP time, and leading to one of the worst SHG against in the league? Or were we the worst? I forget. But that is what led to most of those SHG, and you want more of that?

Back to reality...

I'm wondering if the Canucks need to get Nikita Tryamkin into the lineup to add some toughness against Ottawa on Tuesday, in the new blog:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...Loss-in-Anaheim/194/80156