Funny, I think it's his confidence that got him into trouble in the first place. Over confidence is more like it. He forgot about the "earning it" part of the NHL experience.

He's got 55 games, 7 goals, 13 points, and 45 pims. That's not bad for a rookie season. I think expectations were a bit too high; fans, management, and jake included.
- bloatedmosquito

Agreed, he demonstrated all the necessary tools (shooting, strength, skating) but his conditioning was piss poor then, and remains so now. It's pretty sad when a player that age has the entire 'package' yet can't play a 30 second shift.

Is that on him or management?
I don't know...

If he can't tear up Utica...what makes you think he can flip a switch in the fall and tear up the NHL?
- Bullfrog77

I think what they're having him do in Utica right now is not scoring focused. It's more about the process, learning to be a pro, etc. He scored before at the NHL level, I think he can do it more. I'm not saying he'll light up the NHL with tons of points, I said I want him to have a good training camp.

I got to a point where I need to see it before getting too excited.

I'm a bit of a pessimist if you haven't noticed.
- bloatedmosquito

There's much less disappointment that way, it's true

If he can't tear up Utica...what makes you think he can flip a switch in the fall and tear up the NHL?
- Bullfrog77

Because he has already.

And who said he was going to "tear it up" in the NHL? Holy crap that is a lot of pressure to put on a rookie.

Who on this poopty roster is tearing it up? Vets included.

apparently, but if a few of these smallish players develop, maybe you trade them for another forward with size or trade a dman for a fwd with size.

one problem at a time, just glad we were able to acquire some good skilled prospects.
- hillbillydeluxe

Yeah well 5'11" doesn't need to play small. Cal clutter buck and Dustin brown are only 5'11" but closer to 200 lbs. Older players are usually more into the physical part. Have to look for brouwer, Lucic, Backes types in Free agency in the future.

HB is such an enigma I never know if people are real or just playing a character.
- bloatedmosquito

none of this is real. you're actually on a tv show. i'm here to warn you. your life is actually the truman show. run!!!

I think what they're having him do in Utica right now is not scoring focused. It's more about the process, learning to be a pro, etc. He scored before at the NHL level, I think he can do it more. I'm not saying he'll light up the NHL with tons of points, I said I want him to have a good training camp.
- NorthNuck

Regardless if they are gifting him top offensive opportunities or not he's still on the ice about 15 mins a game. What he sitting on for the season ? 4-5 goals? He isn't ready for the NHL, I wouldn't even consider bringing him up next year if I was JB. Not until he becomes a difference maker in the AHL.

Because he has already.

And who said he was going to "tear it up" in the NHL? Holy crap that is a lot of pressure to put on a rookie.

Who on this poopty roster is tearing it up? Vets included.
- bloatedmosquito

Look up....you just did

Funny, I think it's his confidence that got him into trouble in the first place. Over confidence is more like it. He forgot about the "earning it" part of the NHL experience.

He's got 55 games, 7 goals, 13 points, and 45 pims. That's not bad for a rookie season. I think expectations were a bit too high; fans, management, and jake included.
- bloatedmosquito

Considering he had the same point totals in the NHL. It may take a couple more years before he breaks out.

I remember a time when Virtanen was vancouvers counter punch to edmonton's mcdavid.

Those were good times.

I remember a time when Virtanen was vancouvers counter punch to edmonton's mcdavid.

Those were good times.
- bloatedmosquito

I've still got faith he can be a player...but I bet it won't be for a couple more seasons

Not the way I saw it. Hamhuis said all season long he had no intention of waiving. Again, his right not to. He eventually caved in to the pressure and decided to waive, by then transaction were in full swing. I don't understand how management 'f*cked this up'. Clearly, Hamhuis was not willing to waive. I think you have been braiwashed by the local media.
- Marwood

It's complicated to convince a player to waive and then negotiate with the teams on their list. He didn't leave himself time. Whether that's because Hamhuis refused to waive until the last minute or because Benning approached him too late I can't say. If that's towing the 1040 line I'll have to take your word for it. I stopped listening to them when Bro Jake came onboard.

Regardless if they are gifting him top offensive opportunities or not he's still on the ice about 15 mins a game. What he sitting on for the season ? 4-5 goals? He isn't ready for the NHL, I wouldn't even consider bringing him up next year if I was JB. Not until he becomes a difference maker in the AHL.
- Bullfrog77

With respect, the leading scorers in Utica are Grenier and (frank)ing Archibald, both well below a ppg. Nobody is scoring all the much down there lol.

Utica has one of the worst Goals For ratio in the league.

Agreed, he demonstrated all the necessary tools (shooting, strength, skating) but his conditioning was piss poor then, and remains so now. It's pretty sad when a player that age has the entire 'package' yet can't play a 30 second shift.

Is that on him or management?
I don't know...
- Whiskey-Tango

conditioning has to be on the player. there may have been miscommunication as to weight but the player always knows if he has the "cardio" to compete at the level he should.

even if jake thought he had to be heavier, he still would have known that he couldn't sacrifice his conditioning for weight.

i think the off season will be more important than this season for him. i'd rather he wasn't called up for the rest of the season so he gets a fresh look at camp.

Look up....you just did
- Bullfrog77

You know what I meant. He has proven that he can produce at the NHL level at the power forward position. That's why he was drafted. To fill that need.

He just needs to learn how to be a pro and everything will be fine. I believe the Canucks development system is very underrated by everyone. They will get virt sorted.

That's if they don't trade him first.

I've still got faith he can be a player...but I bet it won't be for a couple more seasons
- Bullfrog77

That's ok. This poop train of a team ain't going anywhere. They can wait for him.

Anyone know if the shiny news toys Goldobin and Cramarossa draw in tonight?

I really have no interest in watching a game with the likes of Grenier, Rendulic and Labate on the line-up...

With respect, the leading scorers in Utica are Grenier and (frank)ing Archibald, both well below a ppg. Nobody is scoring all the much down there lol.

Utica has one of the worst Goals For ratio in the league.
- Whiskey-Tango

Yes, but what would Utica look like if the Canucks were healthy?

That's a serious question. I'm too lazy to figure it out.

Yeah well 5'11" doesn't need to play small. Cal clutter buck and Dustin brown are only 5'11" but closer to 200 lbs. Older players are usually more into the physical part. Have to look for brouwer, Lucic, Backes types in Free agency in the future.
- manvanfan

we have so many areas of need, it is good to see we are adding some prospects with offensive skill.

anybody acquired through free agency, multi year contract, to fill a need is often expensive.

I'm curious to see what the goals are heading into next season? To play the younger players, sign more ufa's and hope to make the playoffs?

Another season with the chance of a top 5 or 10 pick might be what we need, but unless we sign some ufa's to 1 year deals, I wouldn't expect much to happen at tdl next season.

With respect, the leading scorers in Utica are Grenier and (frank)ing Archibald, both well below a ppg. Nobody is scoring all the much down there lol.

Utica has one of the worst Goals For ratio in the league.
- Whiskey-Tango

Agreed...they are a talent wasteland....which makes it all the more concerning that he isn't scoring. He has a toolbox much like Bo. He can score without the benefit of his linemates, so why isn't he? I think he's still sulking about his embarrassing demotion. Normal reaction for a 19 yrs old kid. The question is...can he get past it and become a pro?

Anyone know if the shiny news toys Goldobin and Cramarossa draw in tonight?

I really have no interest in watching a game with the likes of Grenier, Rendulic and Labate on the line-up...
- Whiskey-Tango

Labate is kind of interesting. If for the hustle alone.

I got to a point where I need to see it before getting too excited.

I'm a bit of a pessimist if you haven't noticed.
- bloatedmosquito

Agreed, he demonstrated all the necessary tools (shooting, strength, skating) but his conditioning was piss poor then, and remains so now. It's pretty sad when a player that age has the entire 'package' yet can't play a 30 second shift.

Is that on him or management?
I don't know...
- Whiskey-Tango

wtf

we have so many areas of need, it is good to see we are adding some prospects with offensive skill.

anybody acquired through free agency, multi year contract, to fill a need is often expensive.

I'm curious to see what the goals are heading into next season? To play the younger players, sign more ufa's and hope to make the playoffs?

Another season with the chance of a top 5 or 10 pick might be what we need, but unless we sign some ufa's to 1 year deals, I wouldn't expect much to happen at tdl next season.
- hillbillydeluxe

Don't think you will see much of that. Eriksson will get another shot next year to prove his worth.

Yes he did!! Pull the f*cking Girl Guide Cookies out of your ears!!
- Marwood

I was agreeing with you....