I still stand by the fact that Virtanen (IMO) is not a bust. 20 years old, its WAY to early to call him that. Same with McCann. I think they can still be good players.

Shinkaruk on the other hand...
- Codes1087

If Virtanen is a 3rd liner...that is pretty close to being a bust. You should be drafting a top 6 forward at 6 overall.

I still stand by the fact that Virtanen (IMO) is not a bust. 20 years old, its WAY to early to call him that. Same with McCann. I think they can still be good players.

Shinkaruk on the other hand...
- Codes1087

I agree, im guessing/hoping he has a productive summer and wouldnt be suprised to see him on the roster next season.

If Virtanen is a 3rd liner...that is pretty close to being a bust. You should be drafting a top 6 forward at 6 overall.
- CanuckDon

Becoming a top 9, even for a 6oa, is not a bust. Someone like Skille who could only crack a horrible canucks 4th line as a 7OA is a bust. He has been an AHL player his whole career.

If Virtanen is a 3rd liner...that is pretty close to being a bust. You should be drafting a top 6 forward at 6 overall.
- CanuckDon

That's the idea, but far more often than not never the outcome. You can get top line players in the late 1st round like Tarasenko, or you can get late 1st rounders to play on the 3rd or 4th line like Tom Wilson. I think more often than not, your 1st round pick is almost a sure-bet to play in the NHL, and you want them to be productive and score and be top 6 players, but I think its a stretch to ever assume you are going to get a top 6 player in the top 6 of the draft. Hope, but never assume.

I was called out for sure when it happened. I understand why it happened, giving the fragile fan base a bone to chew on while management figured out what was going on, but they both never looked ready, and in all fairness, it wasn't fair to them to have them play up. Either way, I just see it as a reason for where they are now, not to say they would be playing in the NHL if they hadn't played their first year up, but I think it definitely hurt them as far as development.
- Codes1087

I dont agree that was the reason. I think it was a combination of things but dont think the fan base was a consideration.

I do think they earned their 9 game looks, but the whole group overestimated the team and thought they could manage the minutes and integrate the two of them while pushing for the playoffs. While injuries piled up with the losses, they needed to play more and couldnt/didnt pick up players to play the meaningless minutes

If Virtanen is a 3rd liner...that is pretty close to being a bust. You should be drafting a top 6 forward at 6 overall.
- CanuckDon

It is early in his career. He could develop into that in time around his prime. He's not there now but because he has a low ceiling he can play a role in the NHL which is a good thing for a pick.

Unlike other picks taken high who bust out because it's one role (top 6) or out.

If Virtanen is a 3rd liner...that is pretty close to being a bust. You should be drafting a top 6 forward at 6 overall.
- CanuckDon

(for once)

If Virtanen is a 3rd liner...that is pretty close to being a bust. You should be drafting a top 6 forward at 6 overall.
- CanuckDon

Raffi Torres isnt a bust geez.

Raffi Torres isnt a bust geez.
- SRam19

Torres had three straight 20+ goal seasons playing in Edmonton's top six, he's wasn't a bottom six forward. There's still lot's of time for Jake though, it's up to him to make the best of his chances now.

I dont agree that was the reason. I think it was a combination of things but dont think the fan base was a consideration.

I do think they earned their 9 game looks, but the whole group overestimated the team and thought they could manage the minutes and integrate the two of them while pushing for the playoffs. While injuries piled up with the losses, they needed to play more and couldnt/didnt pick up players to play the meaningless minutes
- WhiteLie

That's the fair take. I agree with where you are going with this point.

Florida got into injury problems this season and Mcann didn't fair better with another year playing with better talent.

JV was kept down no matter what to reshape what they discovered was missing from junior. This would have happened even if he was kept in junior that season. Often, transition problem's for players aren't realized until they are tested in the NHL. That's just something that can't be solved in junior and why the AHL exists.

If they don't get it later then they don't. It's not a rush that ruined them. It was that they didn't have what it takes to be a pro and play consistently in the NHL. A punishing league, that chews up talent and youthful swagger, if a player can't make the mental and physical adjustments to play.

For anyone interesting in a Seattle update, further pursuit of Key Arena renovation:
http://www.king5.com/news...rena-renovation/435434771

MUST. TANK. HARDER.

MUST. TANK. HARDER.
- bloatedmosquito

#allinfordahlin

McCann and Virtanen are where they are now because of the Canucks stupidity IMO. Those two should have never played their first season in the show.
- Codes1087

Funny thing is some people are still penciling in OJ/Dahlen next year as if the NHL roster spots are theirs to lose. No, they should earn it and show that they're physically and mentally mature enough to handle a 82 game season.

I know everyone's sick of the fringe boring NHL vets, but rushing shiny new toys has already cost this team once before, so why do it again? Canucks are going to suck next year no matter what anyway.

McCann and Virtanen are where they are now because of the Canucks stupidity IMO. Those two should have never played their first season in the show.
- Codes1087

I remember 95% of the posters in here saying neither had anything left to prove in Junior.

#allinfordahlin
- LordHumungous

It's too bad he and Juolevi both play left side

I remember 95% of the posters in here saying neither had anything left to prove in Junior.



- classic321

Yup I remember that also.

It's too bad he and Juolevi both play left side
- NorthNuck

We trade juolevi for a better defenseman because he will become Bustevi once he makes the team.

I remember 95% of the posters in here saying neither had anything left to prove in Junior.



- classic321

Savage profile pic

It's too bad he and Juolevi both play left side
- NorthNuck

Another reason to keep Tanev/Gudbranson around then.

Bye bye Eddie

I remember 95% of the posters in here saying neither had anything left to prove in Junior.



- classic321

Same people are now acting like OJ just dominated the OHL this year. There's young dmen putting up similar numbers in the AHL this year and/or last year that haven't cracked NHL rosters yet.


Let's wait and see before anointing this kid as NHL-ready and trading out players to gift him a roster spot.

Savage profile pic
- NorthNuck

Law of averages says we are going to get lucky sometime

Another reason to keep Tanev/Gudbranson around then.

Bye bye Eddie
- Nucker101

#allinfordahlin
- LordHumungous

It will never happen but if this team wants to even get a sniff of a first overall pick then it needs to finish dead last.

After I calmed down (swore I'd never watch the NHL again ) I forced myself to find any silver lining. I could think of two:

1. Picking second in rounds 2 through 7. I think JB will find a few gems in there. He's going to be motivated. I guess he has to be...

2. I've seen a 100 different draft rankings and read other team threads on HB, and one thing is clear, nobody can agree on ranking the top 10. That suggests to me that a few good players will "fall" and that will benefit the canucks.

But this team definitely has bad luck so they need to make there own. I hope JB lets the offer sheets rain over the next three seasons. (frank) being nice guys any more.

It's too bad he and Juolevi both play left side
- NorthNuck

Like we couldn't use two of them.