So basically you did what I did when they took Virtanen over Ehlers?
- Nucker101

Cheered.....?

Good to see Jimbo came out and said today that Virtanen isn't skilled enough for the NHL. That's what you want from your 6th overall pick.

I said before management said they would send Virtanen to the WJC that it was a bad idea. Players are either coming off a big high or a big low and in this case Virtanen is coming off a huge low. Different ice different level. Not a good situation to sending players currently learning (<--key word) a system in the NHL and sending them to venue that imo is only going to hinder them under their current system. Focus shifting is not a good situation.
- thundachunk

Curtis Lazer touched on this before the tourny started. Said he was lost till McDavid got hot

Good to see Jimbo came out and said today that Virtanen isn't skilled enough for the NHL. That's what you want from your 6th overall pick.
- Lindenis#1

fill me in....what happened and where can I see it

you must be kidding..... but I didnt watch the game so I wouldnt know
- SMBDragon

I was being facteous, ( because of the flack from entire social media universe) but he did have a lousey tournament overall

Good to see Jimbo came out and said today that Virtanen isn't skilled enough for the NHL. That's what you want from your 6th overall pick.
- Lindenis#1

lol



but seriously, way too soon to call him a bust. I still think he has a 2nd line powerforward ceiling, we'll see if he reaches it. He should definitely be back in the CHL.

Good to see Jimbo came out and said today that Virtanen isn't skilled enough for the NHL. That's what you want from your 6th overall pick.
- Lindenis#1

Could you provide the link?

Virtanen isn't big.

Ehlers also has 30~ more shots than McCann in the same amount of games on top of being an offensive dynamo at the WJC and Junior level.

And the argument of McCann vs Ehlers just further proves what a nothing Virtanen is and has been since his draft.

Its bad drafting and process to draft based on need since generally a teams situation 2-5 years from now changes so much. And if Jimbo was really drafting for need then he's blind if he did so and didn't think of taking a defenceman before the third round each year since taking the helm.
- Lindenis#1

For starters,

While i too have been unimpressed with Virts current play, he is 19. To expect zero development or progress on his part can also be described as "blind".

"Virtanen isn't big". Well he is isn't small. Have you watched him play in the NHL, he brings consistent physical play that includes quite successful and forceful hits against much older and "bigger" opponents. On top of that, he can skate and shoot the puck.

Drafting based on need is not a bad concept when you realize that theres absolutely nothing in the cupboards. Yes, the team will be different in 2-5 years, but if we aren't drafting our supposed needs of the time, where are they eventually going to come from? UFA market, trades? How many quality, relatively young assets hit the market nowadays? How many big name trades have happened in the last 2-5 years?

Oh and edit: Ehlers might have more shots on goal but McCann has more goals....so...

Of course. In Daigle's case it seemed to be a lack of giving a (frank) and relying on skill alone, he's the anomoly really... the biggest problem with drafting high at times is valuing the wrong attributes (strength, toughness, grit etc) when you should be going for skill.
- lumlums

Anomaly? There's lots...Patrick Stefan , pat falloon, almost every first round pick Vancouver had from late 70s to Trevor linden . Being a lil dramatic there but anomaly ? I bet there's more washed out first rounders then success stories.

lol



but seriously, way too soon to call him a bust. I still think he has a 2nd line powerforward ceiling, we'll see if he reaches it. He should definitely be back in the CHL.
- Nucker101

I don't think he's a bust. I just think it was a bad pick when there were better players available.

He could be something, but I feel that something is a lot more Brett Connolly than Shane Doan.

fill me in....what happened and where can I see it
- SMBDragon

The fact that the team lets this idiot GM speak out loud is embarassing. I did work in PR before and we actively muzzled people at a company because they were too stupid. Stunning that the team doesn't have an assistant that is a better orator do these things.

Anomaly? There's lots...Patrick Stefan , pat falloon, almost every first round pick Vancouver had from late 70s to Trevor linden . Being a lil dramatic there but anomaly ? I bet there's more washed out first rounders then success stories.
- Bullfrog77

Sorry, I should restate... Many are taken ahead of where they should be due to size, "grit" or "intangibles"... there's very few who have all the tools and just don't give a poop like Daigle did.

For starters,

While i too have been unimpressed with Virts current play, he is 19. To expect zero development or progress on his part can also be described as "blind".

"Virtanen isn't big". Well he is isn't small. Have you watched him play in the NHL, he brings consistent physical play that includes quite successful and forceful hits against much older and "bigger" opponents. On top of that, he can skate and shoot the puck.

Drafting based on need is not a bad concept when you realize that theres absolutely nothing in the cupboards. Yes, the team will be different in 2-5 years, but if we aren't drafting our supposed needs of the time, where are they eventually going to come from? UFA market, trades? How many quality, relatively young assets hit the market nowadays? How many big name trades have happened in the last 2-5 years?

Oh and edit: Ehlers might have more shots on goal but McCann has more goals....so...
- Delta-Bravo

Matt Hendricks hits a lot of people. Still doesn't overpower a lot of people or really play a "big game" when he has the puck

Shots lead to goals. Shots means you have the puck. Having the puck means it isn't in your net. Shots also means you're getting more chances and potential rebounds for secondary scoring options.

Drafting for need is a dumbass concept. There is no way to justify it. "Well this player may be good but we need a different kind of player" is saying "We can't have too many good players and should take one of lower quality because why would we want to have a bunch of good players"

The fact that the team lets this idiot GM speak out loud is embarassing. I did work in PR before and we actively muzzled people at a company because they were too stupid. Stunning that the team doesn't have an assistant that is a better orator do these things.
- Lindenis#1

Good lord, talk about taking things out of context

Good lord, talk about taking things out of context

- Delta-Bravo

Whiskey Tango indeed

The fact that the team lets this idiot GM speak out loud is embarassing. I did work in PR before and we actively muzzled people at a company because they were too stupid. Stunning that the team doesn't have an assistant that is a better orator do these things.
- Lindenis#1

That's the source?

Talk about selective interpretation.

That's the source?

Talk about selective interpretation.
- Makita

wow no kidding

Why is B doing better than A?

Because B has better skills and is smarter.

That's the source?

Talk about selective interpretation.
- Makita

I agree that he's not saying JV has no skill or is a stupid player but with the 6th overall pick in a 200+ pick draft, you probably want to draft a player who isn't weak in those areas. It's much harder to develop skill and hockey sense than speed or strength.

Matt Hendricks hits a lot of people. Still doesn't overpower a lot of people or really play a "big game" when he has the puck

Shots lead to goals. Shots means you have the puck. Having the puck means it isn't in your net. Shots also means you're getting more chances and potential rebounds for secondary scoring options.

Drafting for need is a dumbass concept. There is no way to justify it. "Well this player may be good but we need a different kind of player" is saying "We can't have too many good players and should take one of lower quality because why would we want to have a bunch of good players"
- Lindenis#1

1. "Still doesn't overpower a lot of people or really play a "big game" when he has the puck". Virtanen has already demonstrated that ability on numerous occasions.

2. Shots that don't go into the net can generally be considered turn-overs as the opposing team has the opportunity to regain possession due to a missed opportunity to score (something McCann has to date, done better than Ehlers).

3. When used in an elementary narrative such as that, it does indeed seem like a "dumbass" concept. However, when looking at a board of the top ten "good" players, knowing that we can draft what we want at 24 (skill) and still take what we need at 6 (quick, intimating, fierce) its not a bad idea when the opposite might not be available.

I agree that he's not saying JV has no skill or is a stupid player but with the 6th overall pick in a 200+ pick draft, you probably want to draft a player who isn't weak in those areas. It's much harder to develop skill and hockey sense than speed or strength.
- Nucker101

"The player we selected high doesn't have the requisite skills in a high enough capacity to make a good transition to pro hockey than a player we drafted much later.

Thank you for my huge salary and complete autonomy over your 500 million dollar value asset."

1. "Still doesn't overpower a lot of people or really play a "big game" when he has the puck". Virtanen has already demonstrated that ability on numerous occasions.

2. Shots that don't go into the net can generally be considered turn-overs as the opposing team has the opportunity to regain possession due to a missed opportunity to score (something McCann has to date, done better than Ehlers).

3. When used in an elementary narrative such as that, it does indeed seem like a "dumbass" concept. However, when looking at a board of the top ten "good" players, knowing that we can draft what we want at 24 (skill) and still take what we need at 6 (quick, intimating, fierce) its not a bad idea when the opposite might not be available.
- Delta-Bravo

So generating shots is now a bad thing?

I agree that he's not saying JV has no skill or is a stupid player but with the 6th overall pick in a 200+ pick draft, you probably want to draft a player who isn't weak in those areas. It's much harder to develop skill and hockey sense than speed or strength.
- Nucker101

While i agree that Jake's hockey I.Q is lacking, he does posses skill in regards to stick handling, skating (not just speed and acceleration but also moving and protecting the puck) and shooting.

It's as if the Anti-Benning brigade is painting Virtanen as a neanderthal on skates when in actuality, he was coveted by most scouts and described as a safe top 10 pick precisely due to his goal scoring ability...

1. "Still doesn't overpower a lot of people or really play a "big game" when he has the puck". Virtanen has already demonstrated that ability on numerous occasions.

2. Shots that don't go into the net can generally be considered turn-overs as the opposing team has the opportunity to regain possession due to a missed opportunity to score (something McCann has to date, done better than Ehlers).

3. When used in an elementary narrative such as that, it does indeed seem like a "dumbass" concept. However, when looking at a board of the top ten "good" players, knowing that we can draft what we want at 24 (skill) and still take what we need at 6 (quick, intimating, fierce) its not a bad idea when the opposite might not be available.
- Delta-Bravo

1. eeehh... marginally at best. Kassian's rookie season he was hitting people and winning puck battles too.

2. assuming there are no other players of your team on the ice to help recover the puck. and i'll take the guy generating more opportunities over the guy who generates less. Ovechkin is great because he's a volume shooter even though he only scores 12% of the time over a guy like Pavelski who shoots 18-19%

3. If all things are equal, but not when you're giving up things like skill so you can have an 18 year old with "talents" that are even less likely to translate to the NHL than puck skills. Brayden Schenn was a junior player with those attributes and they sure haven't manifested into him being anything more than a middle 6 forward

While i agree that Jake's hockey I.Q is lacking, he does posses skill in regards to stick handling, skating (not just speed and acceleration but also moving and protecting the puck) and shooting.

It's as if the Anti-Benning brigade is painting Virtanen as a neanderthal on skates when in actuality, he was coveted by most scouts and described as a safe top 10 pick precisely due to his goal scoring ability...
- Delta-Bravo

I agree here. JB has done a good job. I think some contracts are a bit inflated but otherwise Im happy with him.

Coaches on the other hand....