Utica Comets ‏@UticaComets 2h2 hours ago
Update to the Mall Kiosk schedule. Jake Virtanen will be there tonight from 6-7 p.m.!

Schedule: http://www.uticacomets.com/fanzone/mall-kiosk …
- hillbillydeluxe

Did you have a chance to see the interview between Virtanen and Hockey News?

Kid seems like a diva

I just like pushing your buttons....game on good man


Edit: and for the record, you just lost, 9-0, to a non-playoff poster.
- LeftCoaster

I tanked on purpose...wasn't going to show up Pastor Lemming

Interesting read...Friedman claims that the Gudbranson trade was the beginning of the end for Gallant in Florida.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...d-split-gallant-panthers/

Did you have a chance to see the interview between Virtanen and Hockey News?

Kid seems like a diva
- Codes1087

What part of that interview made him seem like a diva?

" As for getting "his stuff", Virtanen, Vancouver's 2014 first-round selection, has no idea what his coach was talking about.

"I honestly have no idea, to be honest," he said. "I actually still don’t understand that really." "

Great. He forgot his stuff again

I tanked on purpose...wasn't going to show up Pastor Lemming

Interesting read...Friedman claims that the Gudbranson trade was the beginning of the end for Gallant in Florida.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...d-split-gallant-panthers/
- CanuckDon

I thought this is a tactic you're not onboard with?

What part of that interview made him seem like a diva?
- nucks_94

He just can't be a pro, he can't be mature about it. We all know him being sent back home to "gather his stuff" was a bit puzzling but regardless, he was re-sent to Utica. Virtanen saying that there is a lack of communication between management and him on his future plans is irrelevant. He needs to just stay tight lipped and play hockey. He isn't doing himself any favours by constantly going to the media about how unhappy he is with management/coaching decisions.

I tanked on purpose...wasn't going to show up Pastor Lemming

Interesting read...Friedman claims that the Gudbranson trade was the beginning of the end for Gallant in Florida.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...d-split-gallant-panthers/
- CanuckDon

Weird that they bothered to extend him when it was clear he wanted different things for the team than they did. Could be due to that 2nd place in the Jack Adams running last year. Seems anyone who gets the votes for coach of the year is in trouble

He just can't be a pro, he can't be mature about it. We all know him being sent back home to "gather his stuff" was a bit puzzling but regardless, he was re-sent to Utica. Virtanen saying that there is a lack of communication between management and him on his future plans is irrelevant. He needs to just stay tight lipped and play hockey. He isn't doing himself any favours by constantly going to the media about how unhappy he is with management/coaching decisions.
- Codes1087

I wasn't aware that he's been constantly going to the media to complain about management/coaching decisions.

I wasn't aware that he's been constantly going to the media to complain about management/coaching decisions.
- nucks_94

He complained about minutes and deployment regarding Willy D.

Now he is complaining about how management handled recalling him and sending him back and the lack of communication (which I fully understand). I just think that for a guy who is trying to stick with the NHL, has 0 goals and 3 assists in 19 AHL games, he should just zip it and play hockey.

He complained about minutes and deployment regarding Willy D.

Now he is complaining about how management handled recalling him and sending him back and the lack of communication (which I fully understand). I just think that for a guy who is trying to stick with the NHL, has 0 goals and 3 assists in 19 AHL games, he should just zip it and play hockey.
- Codes1087

Gotcha. Old school mentality.

I'm of the opinion that he is a kid learning to be a pro and not necessarily a "diva"

Gotcha. Old school mentality.

I'm of the opinion that he is a kid learning to be a pro and not necessarily a "diva"
- nucks_94

He said the game feels faster and guys work harder in the AHL, kinda looks like he bought in to the "country club" approach in Van

He complained about minutes and deployment regarding Willy D.

Now he is complaining about how management handled recalling him and sending him back and the lack of communication (which I fully understand). I just think that for a guy who is trying to stick with the NHL, has 0 goals and 3 assists in 19 AHL games, he should just zip it and play hockey.
- Codes1087

He's not going to the media, as a pro player it's part of his responsibility to do interviews. They're going to the team asking if he can be interviewed. He's just a kid giving honest answers because he probably doesn't know a whole bunch about managements plans. He's correct in saying at his point it's just his responsibility to simply play.

He's not going to the media, as a pro player it's part of his responsibility to do interviews. They're going to the team asking if he can be interviewed. He's just a kid giving honest answers because he probably doesn't know a whole bunch about managements plans. He's correct in saying at his point it's just his responsibility to simply play.
- LeftCoaster

As a pro, you should know that the media is always going to try and pry information, stir the pot, create drama all for the story. I understand Jake is frustrated and I totally understand his answers were honest, but to me, he isn't saying anything that everybody already doesn't know. We know Jake was thrown a bit of a curve ball by being recalled and then sent down again. We know he isn't happy with constantly being given new line mates. We know he wasn't happy with his minutes and we know he wasn't happy being a healthy scratch. I think it would be in his best interest to just play hockey at this point. Media in Vancouver are hungry for drama, and he is just feeding them.

As a pro, you should know that the media is always going to try and pry information, stir the pot, create drama all for the story. I understand Jake is frustrated and I totally understand his answers were honest, but to me, he isn't saying anything that everybody already doesn't know. We know Jake was thrown a bit of a curve ball by being recalled and then sent down again. We know he isn't happy with constantly being given new line mates. We know he wasn't happy with his minutes and we know he wasn't happy being a healthy scratch. I think it would be in his best interest to just play hockey at this point. Media in Vancouver are hungry for drama, and he is just feeding them.
- Codes1087

He'll learn to deal with the media better when he matures as a person and a player/

Did you have a chance to see the interview between Virtanen and Hockey News?

Kid seems like a diva
- Codes1087

So did Seguin in Boston. So do a lot of 19/20 y/o players.

He'll learn to deal with the media better when he matures as a person and a player/
- LeftCoaster

absolutely. I think Jake has a ton of maturing and learning ahead of him. He has to know that he isn't being interviewed for his stellar stats in Utica lol.

He just can't be a pro, he can't be mature about it. We all know him being sent back home to "gather his stuff" was a bit puzzling but regardless, he was re-sent to Utica. Virtanen saying that there is a lack of communication between management and him on his future plans is irrelevant. He needs to just stay tight lipped and play hockey. He isn't doing himself any favours by constantly going to the media about how unhappy he is with management/coaching decisions.
- Codes1087

Pushing the situation for a trade?

I tanked on purpose...wasn't going to show up Pastor Lemming

Interesting read...Friedman claims that the Gudbranson trade was the beginning of the end for Gallant in Florida.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...d-split-gallant-panthers/
- CanuckDon

I would be willing to fire WD and hire Gallant before some other team does. Even if it ruins a bottom finish.

So did Seguin in Boston. So do a lot of 19/20 y/o players.
- Retinalz

Whining and complaining don't seem to get you very far. It certainly, to me, doesn't seem like it wins you over with your management and coach either. I don't want to make this into anything bigger than what it is (which really isn't anything big) but I just think Jake needs to focus on the things that will make him succeed and make him a better player.

Pushing the situation for a trade?
- LordHumungous

I hope not. I think he certainly COULD BE a huge asset for our future.

I would be willing to fire WD and hire Gallant before some other team does. Even if it ruins a bottom finish.
- Retinalz

Sure, why not. We can't be any worse with Gallant

I hope not. I think he certainly COULD BE a huge asset for our future.
- Codes1087

The Canucks should bury him in Utica for the year and reassess in the summer. No point trading him when his value is so low. Hopefully he learns to be a pro the next few months. the most puzzling thing about Jake's year is he doesn't hit anymore. He added 15 pounds, aged a year and he has completely abandoned all physicality. Is he injured? scared? What is going on with this kid mentally is the real question.

As a pro, you should know that the media is always going to try and pry information, stir the pot, create drama all for the story. I understand Jake is frustrated and I totally understand his answers were honest, but to me, he isn't saying anything that everybody already doesn't know. We know Jake was thrown a bit of a curve ball by being recalled and then sent down again. We know he isn't happy with constantly being given new line mates. We know he wasn't happy with his minutes and we know he wasn't happy being a healthy scratch. I think it would be in his best interest to just play hockey at this point. Media in Vancouver are hungry for drama, and he is just feeding them.
- Codes1087

YUP!

Jake needs a sit down with someone he grew up idolizing (Nazzy was his favorite player)- One would hope that Naslund could maybe impart some knowledge about talking to the media, and respecting management/coaches IRREGARDLESS of your opinion inside.

The Canucks should burry him in Utica for the year and reassess in the summer. No point trading him when his value is so low. Hopefully he learns to be a pro the next few months. the most puzzling thing about Jake's year is he doesn't hit anymore. He added 15 pounds, aged a year and he has completely abandoned all physicality. Is he injured? scared? What is going on with this kid mentally is the real question.
- CanuckDon

I was saying it a lot while he was in van, don't know if he ever fully recovered from the shoulder injury or whatever else he had wrong with him early in the season. Seemed tentative at best

I would be willing to fire WD and hire Gallant before some other team does. Even if it ruins a bottom finish.
- Retinalz