Who protected Tampa's guys? Calgary's? They had two midgets and not exactly a gritty player in Monahan as their top line.

A 4th liner or 3rd pairing dman isn't going to stop a dman from trying to hit Gaudreau or Tyler Johnson. And if they had a tough guy in their line for some reason, I'd actually try to do so I can draw a retaliation penalty from the "tough guy".


Boeser and McCann aren't much stronger or grittier than Ehlers or Merkley.
- Nucker101

Our first need was toughness. Virtanen done. Get over it.

Our first need was toughness. Virtanen done. Get over it.
- VANTEL

Ok

Our first need was toughness. Virtanen done. Get over it.
- VANTEL

The Vancouver Giants GM said just the other day that he is one his teams most hated players in the WHL.

The Vancouver Giants GM said just the other day that he is one his teams most hated players in the WHL.


- classic321

He is an instigator, he's tough and can score. Hard not to like this pick

The Vancouver Giants GM said just the other day that he is one his teams most hated players in the WHL.


- classic321

I love those types of players, I hope Virtanen turns out to be better than Ehlers but after their draft+1 seasons it's looking better for Ehlers than it was at the draft. He did come off of shoulder surgery so this year will be telling.

exactly, i agree 100%. take the BPA available especially if it's a top 10 pick. unless you value two players near equally then i can see you taking the position you covet most.

the nucks obviously thought virtanen was the BPA, and obviously liked the physical edge he could bring. as of now it's not looking like a good decision based on the development of nylander/ehlers, but it's still too early to say. virtanen could easily become the best of the trio.
- sensnucksnocups

Hard to say it wasnt a good decision just yet. JV has put up a bit lower P/G numbers in Jr's than Ehlers while battling injuries, Nylander had one good year in SEL before putting up solid points in the AHL. JV got into a few AHL playoff games and had an impact, so hard to say hes even behind any of them at this point as I dont think Ehlers has got into any AHL games yet. Once they get thier shot at the NHL, then everything can be considered equal for comparison

Our first need was toughness. Virtanen done. Get over it.
- VANTEL

That's Horse Pucky, our fist need for a long time has been skilled top 6 forwards and top 4 D.

Toughness can be found anywhere, drafting it at 6th overall is silly.

I don't think he drafted Virtanen for his toughness alone but for his shooting ability and because they wanted fans to get excited about him.

I am not sure if this is the same link CS posted, but it might be worth a listen if you want to hear some Canuck talk.

http://www.tsn.ca/radio/v...omplete-overhaul-1.345170

I think he is on there for 2 hours, but you can skip the commercials with the player.

Hard to say it wasnt a good decision just yet. JV has put up a bit lower P/G numbers in Jr's than Ehlers while battling injuries, Nylander had one good year in SEL before putting up solid points in the AHL. JV got into a few AHL playoff games and had an impact, so hard to say hes even behind any of them at this point as I dont think Ehlers has got into any AHL games yet. Once they get thier shot at the NHL, then everything can be considered equal for comparison
- WhiteLie

Ehlers is 1.80 ppg in the CHL 1.97 in playoffs
Virtanen is .84 and .58 in playoffs

There is a big gap between those two sets of numbers.

That's Horse Pucky, our fist need for a long time has been skilled top 6 forwards and top 4 D.

Toughness can be found anywhere, drafting it at 6th overall is silly.

I don't think he drafted Virtanen for his toughness alone but for his shooting ability and because they wanted fans to get excited about him.
- belcherbd

That's horse pucky back at you . Our first need was toughness.

it's not just footspeed you lose when you're older. even losing a second from the release of your shot can be detrimental to your totals. if what you're saying is true then the sedins would still be ppg+ players.

horvat is a 2nd liner at best. nothing wrong with that, but its doubtful he ever becomes a #1C. virtanen seems like a 3rd liner at best too...boeser is the guy i'd be most hopeful for. hopefully he isnt rushed and they let him develop until the nucks can finally get rid of the sedins/miller.
- sensnucksnocups

Good thing the sedins don't really shoot the pick much then? Right.
both of them where top 30 in points last year.
30 teams x 3 top line forwards per team = 90 top line players in the league
Which means that the twins could drop 30 to 40 places in the points race and still out produce any of the top line players on the leafs.

The Canucks have 2 cups. .... of the presidents order.
The leafs have never seen the 4th round.
I don't care one way or another what the leafs ate doing, I just know that you give me a bitter feeling which causes me to enjoy their failure as a team in the modern Era.
Please go upstairs, your dinner is ready and is time for bed.

Ps. Flagged

That's Horse Pucky, our fist need for a long time has been skilled top 6 forwards and top 4 D.

Toughness can be found anywhere, drafting it at 6th overall is silly.

I don't think he drafted Virtanen for his toughness alone but for his shooting ability and because they wanted fans to get excited about him.
- belcherbd

The toughness is great, good skater too, hope he develops into a top 6 forward though.

Ehlers is 1.80 ppg in the CHL 1.97 in playoffs
Virtanen is .84 and .58 in playoffs

There is a big gap between those two sets of numbers.
- belcherbd

I knew someone was going to call me out on it after I posted

I think I was just looking at their last two Jr regular seasons, Ehlers was something like 1.6 and 2.0 and JV was 1.4 and 1.65. Ehlers definitely produced better, but I dont think hitting 100 points in the WHL is any small feat either

I knew someone was going to call me out on it after I posted

I think I was just looking at their last two Jr regular seasons, Ehlers was something like 1.6 and 2.0 and JV was 1.4 and 1.65. Ehlers definitely produced better, but I dont think hitting 100 points in the WHL is any small feat either
- WhiteLie

All good, I just think what Ehlers has done is really rare, very few players put those types of points up as wingers and especially considering it was his first 2 years in NA. Everyone wanted to say it was because of Druin but he exploded this year again.

Still off by a bit on the stats tho...

Ehlers is 1.65 and 1.98
Virt is 1.04 and 1.00

All good, I just think what Ehlers has done is really rare, very few players put those types of points up as wingers and especially considering it was his first 2 years in NA. Everyone wanted to say it was because of Druin but he exploded this year again.

Still off by a bit on the stats tho...

Ehlers is 1.65 and 1.98
Virt is 1.04 and 1.00
- belcherbd

I went back and realized I was looking at the PIM column...

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...s/pdisplay.php?pid=149178

The toughness is great, good skater too, hope he develops into a top 6 forward though.

- hillbillydeluxe

Me too, although I think his skating leaves a lot to be desired, at straight lines he is a force but he doesn't move in other directions nearly as well.

I still think he will end up being a Brouwer/Ward type player which is still good but thought Benning was gifted an opportunity to draft someone who could be the one driving play on a top line.

Those players are few and far between and while Nylander/Ehlers very well may never develop into those players, I think they have a much better chance then Jake.

second post in a row you have mentioned my mom...at least try to be creative if you are trying to insult me since you clearly can't argue with the fact that no one but nucks fans think benning is doing a good job.

and why do you feel the need to ruin this thread? we were having a perfectly fine conversation before the trolls came out. there is nothing wrong with disagreeing with an opinion. you on the other hand, using insults? yea...that's trolling.
- sensnucksnocups

Man you really don't read well hey?

Many Nucks fans are on the fence on Benning. pay attention here and you'll see.

IMO Benning has done ok. Has improved this team in back to back years and even though some of the results haven't shown yet I think this season will bring some about.

Pay attention man

Our first need was toughness. Virtanen done. Get over it.
- VANTEL

And Prust!

That's horse pucky back at you . Our first need was toughness.
- VANTEL

Toughness to protect who? How about spending the high picks on the best talent and then just trading for a signing guys like Dorsett/Prust?

I have to believe they draft JV because they think he was BPA and not because he's good in scrums.

And Prust!


- LordHumungous

Irony about Prust addition is that he was brought in to protect "the kids" but he's holding down a roster spot that was going to one of them. Plus Horvat/JVare big boys(two of the heavier players on the team already), Vey will always get pushed around so I assume it's basically Sven and Corrado that they want "protected"?

Toughness to protect who? How about spending the high picks on the best talent and then just trading for a signing guys like Dorsett/Prust?

I have to believe they draft JV because they think he was BPA and not because he's good in scrums.
- Nucker101

Toughness to protect Prust who was brought in to protect Dorsett, who was brought in to protect everyone.

In all seriousness though I can't believe that toughness played much of a factor in drafting Virtanen either. Benning seems to rate players with great shots very high. Virtanen, McCann, Forsling, Boeserand Jasek all have excellent shots.

Me too, although I think his skating leaves a lot to be desired, at straight lines he is a force but he doesn't move in other directions nearly as well.

I still think he will end up being a Brouwer/Ward type player which is still good but thought Benning was gifted an opportunity to draft someone who could be the one driving play on a top line.

Those players are few and far between and while Nylander/Ehlers very well may never develop into those players, I think they have a much better chance then Jake.
- belcherbd

There is a good chance you are right on all accounts.

Tbh, I am just happy with our depth after so little depth for so long. I'm a homer I guess in that respect. What's done is done, no guarantees with any pick.

Virtanen is an interesting pick for Vancouver.

Toughness to protect Prust who was brought in to protect Dorsett, who was brought in to protect everyone.

In all seriousness though I can't believe that toughness played much of a factor in drafting Virtanen either. Benning seems to rate players with great shots very high. Virtanen, McCann, Forsling, Boeserand Jasek all have excellent shots.
- belcherbd

Yup.


Will be interesting to see how his drafting works out. I was actually encouraged by the Brisebois pick since I was afraid that he had a hard-on for size/speed on the blue line and ignored hockey sense(Sbisa/Bartkowski/Pedan all fit this description).

It would be fun actually if everyone posted who they would have taken with each pick in the draft.

Irony about Prust addition is that he was brought in to protect "the kids" but he's holding down a roster spot that was going to one of them. Plus Horvat/JVare big boys(two of the heavier players on the team already), Vey will always get pushed around so I assume it's basically Sven and Corrado that they want "protected"?
- Nucker101

And Sedins. Last year showed that Dorsett can't handle the load and Bieksa and Kassian were too chickens**t to take on the role. I'm not saying Prust will play with Sedins but having his presence out there will make players think twice about taking runs at them a'la Duncan Keith.

I'm not worried about Horvat, Virtanen in the least...Cassels and McCann however may need a linemate to create space for them...tough to say at this point but I hear what you are saying. A roster spot is tough to give away to Prust considering how many kids might make the jump but IMO it's a risk we have to take. Horvat is set for a big year and I think the Prust addition let's some of the teams in the west know that we won't tolerate cheap shots on out future stars...the message needs to be sent and I think we will like what Prust brings vs LA, ANA, SJ STL and some of the heavier clubs. I could care less what the refs think about him as well. Refs have had it in for us since that goof Bettman got in it's nothing new we have to battle against. Just on most nights we have to win and battle the refs as well. Part of being a Canuck.

I had a brief chat with Brandon Sutter today as the CANPRO camps are done at my Arena this week. He is stoked and looking good out there. He's a bit lean so that is a minor concern but he is flying out there and looking good. I think he is pumped to have better linemates.

And Sedins. Last year showed that Dorsett can't handle the load and Bieksa and Kassian were too chickens**t to take on the role. I'm not saying Prust will play with Sedins but having his presence out there will make players think twice about taking runs at them a'la Duncan Keith.

I'm not worried about Horvat, Virtanen in the least...Cassels and McCann however may need a linemate to create space for them...tough to say at this point but I hear what you are saying. A roster spot is tough to give away to Prust considering how many kids might make the jump but IMO it's a risk we have to take. Horvat is set for a big year and I think the Prust addition let's some of the teams in the west know that we won't tolerate cheap shots on out future stars...the message needs to be sent and I think we will like what Prust brings vs LA, ANA, SJ STL and some of the heavier clubs. I could care less what the refs think about him as well. Refs have had it in for us since that goof Bettman got in it's nothing new we have to battle against. Just on most nights we have to win and battle the refs as well. Part of being a Canuck.

I had a brief chat with Brandon Sutter today as the CANPRO camps are done at my Arena this week. He is stoked and looking good out there. He's a bit lean so that is a minor concern but he is flying out there and looking good. I think he is pumped to have better linemates.
- LordHumungous

Prust isn't a feared fighter, he's like 190-195 pounds and not the fighter he once was. I doubt the Sedins will be played any differently. When the Sharks had John Scott in the lineup, I didn't notice the Canucks being afraid of throwing a hit anymore than usual.

Sutter is too skinny, not sure why he hasn't tried to play at a weight more suited for his height for at least one season.