That was my original impression as well.




I love that guy.
- Nucker101

I hope they take him. We need more grit and skill.

I hope they take him. We need more grit and skill.
- VANTEL

I'm torn between him and Ehlers, would be fine with either. Not sold on Ritchie, Nylander so I hope it's not them.

I hope they take him. We need more grit and skill.
- VANTEL

We need more skill - where is the skill coming from?

I'm torn between him and Ehlers, would be fine with either. Not sold on Ritchie, Nylander so I hope it's not them.
- Nucker101

I've recently read that Virtanen can play right or left wing - I'm in

We need more skill - where is the skill coming from?
- chompsey

The goals he scores? He's one of the best pure goal scorers in this draft. Not the best passer, but if he he keeps scoring while playing physical then as a winger it's not a big deal at all.

He's also one of the youngest players in this draft so he has a little more room for growth(physically and skill-wise) than most others.


His shot is pretty damn good, even his backhand is pretty deadly.

We need more skill - where is the skill coming from?
- chompsey

He had 45 goals last year . That sounds decent enough

The goals he scores? He's one of the best pure goal scorers in this draft. Not the best passer, but if he he keeps scoring while playing physical then as a winger it's not a big deal at all.

He's also one of the youngest players in this draft so he has a little more room for growth(physically and skill-wise) than most others.


His shot is pretty damn good, even his backhand is pretty deadly.
- Nucker101

He is listed at 6 th overall at NHL.com

The goals he scores? He's one of the best pure goal scorers in this draft. Not the best passer, but if he he keeps scoring while playing physical then as a winger it's not a big deal at all.

He's also one of the youngest players in this draft so he has a little more room for growth(physically and skill-wise) than most others.


His shot is pretty damn good, even his backhand is pretty deadly.
- Nucker101

Two word sfor you - Pavel Brendl......

He had 45 goals last year . That sounds decent enough
- VANTEL

Doesn't always translate to the NHL man.....

How is he gonna score with no one to set him up? His assist totals aint too high either.....

Doesn't always translate to the NHL man.....

How is he gonna score with no one to set him up? His assist totals aint too high either.....
- chompsey

That's the knock on him that scares me and has me preferring Ehlers.

Two word sfor you - Pavel Brendl......
- chompsey

No

No
- LeftCoaster

You get the point man.......

That's the knock on him that scares me and has me preferring Ehlers.
- Nucker101

He's so young and he's got all the size and skills you want, name a player in junior that doesn't need to improve on something. He doesn't even turn 18 until late august.

You get the point man.......
- chompsey

Yes - but I can do that for every player in the top ten.

You get the point man.......
- chompsey

4 players in that draft had a decent NHL career. Players 15 years ago were no where near as talented as kids today.

If his assists are down , I hear Canucks have two guys who know how to pass.

He's so young and he's got all the skills you want, name a player in junior that doesn't need to improve on something. He doesn't even turn 18 until late august.
- LeftCoaster

Yeah, for sure. I like him, but he seems more high-risk to me than Ehlers while both have very high upside. He's my #2 guy behind Ehlers. I still really want Ottawa's 1st from the Ducks, then use that to draft whoever is left from Virtanen/McCann/Fleury.

Yes - but I can do that for every player in the top ten.
- LeftCoaster

exactly.....

so lets pick a player who will satisfy a need - high-end skill....

Gritty players are a dime a dozen....I put money on Virtanen never being anything more than a 3rd liner.....

4 players in that draft had a decent NHL career. Players 15 years ago were no where near as talented as kids today.

If his assists are down , I hear Canucks have two guys who know how to pass.
- VANTEL

By the time Virtanen has a f/t role on the Canucks, theyll be gone....

exactly.....

so lets pick a player who will satisfy a need - high-end skill....

Gritty players are a dime a dozen....I put money on Virtanen never being anything more than a 3rd liner.....
- chompsey

He's no Hodgson, that's for sure.

exactly.....

so lets pick a player who will satisfy a need - high-end skill....

Gritty players are a dime a dozen....I put money on Virtanen never being anything more than a 3rd liner.....
- chompsey

Your wrong gritty top 6 players are rare. Bottom 6 gritty players are a dime a dozen.

Your wrong gritty top 6 players are rare. Bottom 6 gritty players are a dime a dozen.
- VANTEL

Kesler and Kassian are pretty gritty if you ask me.....

By the time Virtanen has a f/t role on the Canucks, theyll be gone....
- chompsey

That's the sad part . Booth Hansen and Higgens have a lock on those spots

Kesler and Kassian are pretty gritty if you ask me.....
- chompsey

Two of our best players IMO

we will leave that discussion alone though

Throw in a few Pens firsts. Crosby has done sh*t in his last few games, he's on the decline.
- Nucker101

On the ice for more goals against than goals for recently.

An absolute fcuk-show of a year. But it all boils down to Mike Gillis not turning enough of the lineup over. It's like the Canucks franchise is afraid of youth - pisses me off beyond belief.
- LeftCoaster

Sometimes change for the sake of change is required. Gillis just didn't get it. Or maybe he did, but just didn't have the nuts to make a move that had a hint of risk to it. Paralysis by analysis.