Virtanen to the media today:

-Does not like the fact that he does not have consistent line mates.
-Understands coach wants to put players out there who he believes has the best chance at winning games but disagrees with his average ice time and deployment.
-Says shoulder is fine.
- Codes1087

Good...it's about time him or his agent stood up and said something!!

So here's a kid that was deemed good enough to draft 6th overall because he was top 5 in all of the CHL for goal scoring during draft year, the team desperately needs scoring, but there's ole idiot-stick Willie D feeding him 9 minutes of ice a night.

I wish someone would buy this club and clean house

I'm a big Tanev fan but yeah, I would for sure make that deal. Trouba is acting like a biatch but he's a pretty damn good young player.
- belcherbd

This is true.

Good...it's about time him or his agent stood up and said something!!

So here's a kid that was deemed good enough to draft 6th overall because he was top 10 in all of the CHL during draft year, the team desperately needs scoring, but there's ole idiot-stick Willie D feeding him 9 minutes of ice a night.

I wish someone would buy this club and clean house
- LeftCoaster

We should all pool our money together.

He sounded honest but very direct with his feelings about how he being handled. (this is what media is saying on twitter)
- Codes1087

Watching Skille and then Megna play ahead of him with Bo and Baer is taking its toll.
Injuries being what they are it's a head scratcher why they won't play him with linemates in a role to have his game come out.

If they send him down don't know what linemates there will help him really with his game but he could get more minutes. If that happens then whenever they do call him back up it should be with the right linemates and give him the opportunity to succeed or he'll be back to where we are now.

We should all pool our money together.
- golfingsince

Just a guess...but we'd come up short

Good...it's about time him or his agent stood up and said something!!

So here's a kid that was deemed good enough to draft 6th overall because he was top 10 in all of the CHL during draft year, the team desperately needs scoring, but there's ole idiot-stick Willie D feeding him 9 minutes of ice a night.

I wish someone would buy this club and clean house
- LeftCoaster

I don't think his draft pedigree or his 2013-14 WHL season are very relevant at this point. His scoring took a drop the following season and certainly didn't translate to the NHL well last season.

I agree with those who say he should be sent to Utica to play heavy minutes and develop. See if his offense can translate in the AHL, then maybe give him a solid opportunity in the top 9.

#backatitagainwiththemiddayzingers

I think at this point he knows he will eventually be sent down. I understand his frustration though.
- Codes1087

I would think at this point he wants to be sent down. Also doesn't matter how much he criticizes WD on the way down as WD will not be here when he gets called back up.

We should all pool our money together.
- golfingsince

I got $20 towards a fair share

Watching Skille and then Megna play ahead of him with Bo and Baer is taking its toll.
Injuries being what they are it's a head scratcher why they won't play him with linemates in a role to have his game come out.

If they send him down don't know what linemates there will help him really with his game but he could get more minutes. If that happens then whenever they do call him back up it should be with the right linemates and give him the opportunity to succeed or he'll be back to where we are now.
- Nuck4U

He would also play top 6, possibly top 3 in the AHL. Figure his new body out(a lot of weight added, and i doubt much of it comes off) and then come back when WD is fired mid season.

I haven't seen Virtanen do anything this year to get his ice time up. He's pretty unremarkable out there most shifts. Throw the body, make a pass or a play and you'll get rewarded. It's up to him to become invaluable not WD.

I would think at this point he wants to be sent down. Also doesn't matter how much he criticizes WD on the way down as WD will not be here when he gets called back up.
- Retinalz

Good Point . The next time Virtanen gets recalled, it could very well be under a different coach.

I don't think his draft pedigree or his 2013-14 WHL season are very relevant at this point. His offensive production took a drop the following season and certainly didn't translate to the NHL well last season.

I agree with those who say he should be sent to Utica to play heavy minutes and develop. See if his offense can translate in the AHL, then maybe give him a solid opportunity in the top 9.
- RonPielep

I think it absolutely is relevant, the following year he was asked to play more of a complete game, so he did, it cut down on his numbers but he did what was asked of him.

The way WD is treating him is wrong IMO.

I haven't seen Virtanen do anything this year to get his ice time up. He's pretty unremarkable out there most shifts. Throw the body, make a pass or a play and you'll get rewarded. It's up to him to become invaluable not WD.
- micah555

This is correct.

Good...it's about time him or his agent stood up and said something!!

So here's a kid that was deemed good enough to draft 6th overall because he was top 5 in all of the CHL for goal scoring during draft year, the team desperately needs scoring, but there's ole idiot-stick Willie D feeding him 9 minutes of ice a night.

I wish someone would buy this club and clean house
- LeftCoaster

I agree, play him, the kid can fly and shoot better than most on this team and he's good defensively, 9 minutes a night with different players does nothing but kill his confidence.

You need that on a hot key.

I do understand his frustration, hell we get frustrated too.

However, he comes across as somewhat entitled IMO.
- golfingsince

I've kinda gotten that vibe as long as he has been on the team.. Too much money and fame too young I think. Some, like Bo, handle it extremely well. Sometimes attitudes like JVs happen though.

I haven't seen Virtanen do anything this year to get his ice time up. He's pretty unremarkable out there most shifts. Throw the body, make a pass or a play and you'll get rewarded. It's up to him to become invaluable not WD.
- micah555

I haven't seen Virtanen do anything this year to get his ice time up. He's pretty unremarkable out there most shifts. Throw the body, make a pass or a play and you'll get rewarded. It's up to him to become invaluable not WD.
- micah555

To a certain degree I'm with you on that, he needs to play better, that said, why is everyone else gifted icetime? There's opportunity for him there but they refuse to give it to him....why?

Why don't they live with his defensive mistakes and see if they can grow his offensive game? Did you see Hitchcock's interview about his plans with Yakupov....now there's an experienced coach who knows what he's doing.

https://www.nhl.com/news/...-nail-yakupov/c-282493998

I've kinda gotten that vibe as long as he has been on the team.. Too much money and fame too young I think. Some, like Bo, handle it extremely well. Sometimes attitudes like JVs happen though.
- NorthNuck

Yeah, I think that is one of the cautions against bringing players along too quickly.

#backatitagainwiththemiddayzingers

I think at this point he knows he will eventually be sent down. I understand his frustration though.
- Codes1087

Tell us how he feels.

I think it absolutely is relevant, the following year he was asked to play more of a complete game, so he did, it cut down on his numbers but he did what was asked of him.

The way WD is treating him is wrong IMO.
- LeftCoaster

Sure that could explain why his scoring dropped and his points stagnated in his post-draft season.

I don't see why that's an argument for him to be gifted 13-16 minutes a night on the big club tho.

I do agree he seems to be getting handled improperly (although it is pretty early so far this season). I think JV needs more of the William Nylander type of development/treatment and less of the Nail Yakupov type development/treatment.

Yeah, I think that is one of the cautions against bringing players along too quickly.
- golfingsince

Its important to give the benefit of the doubt though, we don't know the guy, but if that is the type of attitude he has developed there's no reason he couldn't grow out of it. A stint in Utica would help speed that along IMO.

I think it absolutely is relevant, the following year he was asked to play more of a complete game, so he did, it cut down on his numbers but he did what was asked of him.

The way WD is treating him is wrong IMO.
- LeftCoaster

Keeping him in the NHL last year was better for him than WHL, but he still doesnt have a complete game. His hockey IQ is questionable, he isnt trusted to be on the powerplay or penalty kill (both of which he could be useful with his size, shot and speed). You preach draft and develop, they need to invest in him like you said yesterday and get him to learn to be the go-to guy in the AHL than role player in the NHL

Also I dont think WD is treating him wrong, I think this is on management. WD cant bench a player that isnt on his roster

Sure that could explain why his scoring dropped and his points stagnated in his post-draft season.

I don't see why that's an argument for him to be gifted 13-16 minutes a night on the big club tho.

I do agree he seems to be getting handled improperly (although it is pretty early so far this season). I think JV needs more of the William Nylander type of development/treatment and less of the Nail Yakupov type development/treatment.
- RonPielep

Agreed

I haven't seen Virtanen do anything this year to get his ice time up. He's pretty unremarkable out there most shifts. Throw the body, make a pass or a play and you'll get rewarded. It's up to him to become invaluable not WD.
- micah555

Sure he needs to show but has he been given a real opportunity ...? WD gave Baer lots of games to develop and he finally came through last season when most thought he was a bust. Baer is being given the same opoorintiy this season and not producing. WD tried to bury Horvat as well but the whole hockey world just booed hat and he changed gears. Canucks need a young face for them broadcasts too.

JV has shown flashes just hasn't been dominant out there and that may take time with the right line. But hey if it's better we play Skille and Megna ahead of him cause they do so much more and are the future core of the club then fine let it be so.

To a certain degree I'm with you on that, he needs to play better, that said, why is everyone else gifted icetime? There's opportunity for him there but they refuse to give it to him....why?

Why don't they live with his defensive mistakes and see if they can grow his offensive game? Did you see Hitchcock's interview about his plans with Yakupov....now there's an experienced coach who knows what he's doing.
- LeftCoaster

Lol, guess I wasn't the only one thinking of that.

If the Nucks are trying to win right now they probably can't afford to be giving Jake too much ice time to make defensive mistakes and grow his offensive game. That's why the AHL is for development. Why not send him there to see if he can translate his junior offense while trying to limit his defensive mistakes? Then if he proves he can be productive at that level, he can be given a longer look for consistent offensive deployment on the Nucks.