Every major sports writer (including Bob McKenzie) had Virtanen ranked at 7OA. When he 'fell' to us at 6OA how was that not BPA according to the rankings? Or was it really an Aquilini pick as many here suggest. Don't think it was need.
- LordHumungous

Does it have to an either/or situation? Could it be a combination of perceived need, perceived BPA, and perceived pressure from ownership to secure a local boy for marketing purposes?

I think these situations are a bit more complex then we sometimes believe. When millions and millions of dollars are on the line, decision-makers have to look at every possible angle before choosing a direction.

I know you’re from Alberta, which explains your math skills, *winky face*, however, when you’re ranked 7th overall you don’t fall to the team picking 6th overall. You fall to the teams picking after 7th overall.

It was widely reported at the time they wanted a big goal scoring winger, which Virtanen was in junior, but like I said, he wasn’t on many teams BPA list at 6th overall. I have no interest in going to look it up, but go ahead and fill your boots.

FYI

“It’s clear that during his first draft in 2014, they didn’t pick the best player available. There was a lot of information out there that pointed to players such as William Nylander and Nikolaj Ehlers being superior to Jake Virtanen. Regardless, Benning chose a player that he believed could fill an organizational need. Virtanen’s blend of size, speed and scoring prowess was supposed to insulate the ‘soft’ Canucks.”
- Pacificgem

I still think JV could be a 20+ goal guy for us. And after we trade for Willy Ny, we will have 1 or the 2 guys people wanted.

Does it have to an either/or situation? Could it be a combination of perceived need, perceived BPA, and perceived pressure from ownership to secure a local boy for marketing purposes?

I think these situations are a bit more complex then we sometimes believe. When millions and millions of dollars are on the line, decision-makers have to look at every possible angle before choosing a direction.
- bloatedmosquito

Also it's not like the 2014 draft has worked out for much of the top 10. Sam Bennett is not worthy of 4OA, MDC is not worth of 5OA, hayden fleury at 7, ritchie at 10. The top 10 that year is full of busts. Even Ehlers had a MEH year, followed by a pathetic playoffs.

Does it have to an either/or situation? Could it be a combination of perceived need, perceived BPA, and perceived pressure from ownership to secure a local boy for marketing purposes?

I think these situations are a bit more complex then we sometimes believe. When millions and millions of dollars are on the line, decision-makers have to look at every possible angle before choosing a direction.
- bloatedmosquito

100%. But, you know, arm-chair GM's have all the answers...

If memory serves me, JB was trying to move up to grab Reinhart. I believe I read in the Province that the Canucks wanted to bring on a BC boy....either skill or a big body that could bang....supposedly what the though that JV would bring.

Remember, in consecutive years, the Canucks were out-muscled in the playoffs by San Jose and LA. I do remember our boy, Vantel, being veryvocal about it. Not saying his pick was JV, that I dont remember, but there was pressure to add a big body....

Sven is not a "need". He's filler. Totally expendable.

This team has lots of filler.
- bloatedmosquito

Agreed other than while we build up assets we have not enough scoring.

Does it have to an either/or situation? Could it be a combination of perceived need, perceived BPA, and perceived pressure from ownership to secure a local boy for marketing purposes?

I think these situations are a bit more complex then we sometimes believe. When millions and millions of dollars are on the line, decision-makers have to look at every possible angle before choosing a direction.
- bloatedmosquito

Reminds me of drafting Nedved. JV appears to be a FA PR move when Nedved was the fans pick. Both had better other players in their draft years. I’m not a consensus type of person for those very reasons. The majority is often wrong. Local boy feel good stories are rare.

Also it's not like the 2014 draft has worked out for much of the top 10. Sam Bennett is not worthy of 4OA, MDC is not worth of 5OA, hayden fleury at 7, ritchie at 10. The top 10 that year is full of busts. Even Ehlers had a MEH year, followed by a pathetic playoffs.
- Retinalz

Ehlers’ playoff performance last year was more disappointing.

This year I can understand a guy like him who relies on speed, struggling in the playoffs since he played through a broken foot and fractured leg lol.

I know you’re from Alberta, which explains your math skills, *winky face*, however, when you’re ranked 7th overall you don’t fall to the team picking 6th overall. You fall to the teams picking after 7th overall.

It was widely reported at the time they wanted a big goal scoring winger, which Virtanen was in junior, but like I said, he wasn’t on many teams BPA list at 6th overall. I have no interest in going to look it up, but go ahead and fill your boots.

FYI

“It’s clear that during his first draft in 2014, they didn’t pick the best player available. There was a lot of information out there that pointed to players such as William Nylander and Nikolaj Ehlers being superior to Jake Virtanen. Regardless, Benning chose a player that he believed could fill an organizational need. Virtanen’s blend of size, speed and scoring prowess was supposed to insulate the ‘soft’ Canucks.”
- Pacificgem

lol it is what it is. Horvat was a 'need fill' Gillis said so himself. Other than yourself I haven't heard anyone else claim JV was a 'need pick'. People around here say it more more of an Aquilini pick other than Benning himself but no real way to prove that.

Regardless of 'team BPA rankings' lol JV was ranked 7th. Information 'pointed' teams to different players but the draft is a crap shoot outside of the top 5 for the most part. No one knew that Ehlers or Nylander had the potential to be better at the time. But in hind sight people will point fingers saying 'I told you so'. I could be wrong but never did I hear Benning say he was picking JV to fill a need. At a #7 ranking the math pretty much says BPA at the time but again it is what it is.

lol it is what it is. Horvat was a 'need fill' Gillis said so himself. Other than yourself I haven't heard anyone else claim JV was a 'need pick'. People around here say it more more of an Aquilini pick other than Benning himself but no real way to prove that.

Regardless of 'team BPA rankings' lol JV was ranked 7th. Information 'pointed' teams to different players but the draft is a crap shoot outside of the top 5 for the most part. No one knew that Ehlers or Nylander had the potential to be better at the time. But in hind sight people will point fingers saying 'I told you so'. I could be wrong but never did I hear Benning say he was picking JV to fill a need. At a #7 ranking the math pretty much says BPA at the time but again it is what it is.
- LordHumungous

I was an Ehlers guy at the time for speed & scoring but he joined a much deeper team & has plateaued imo. In the end i like JV better given he is better cost control & is cheaper. We need his type of style & size. I leave it to our top players to excel to make us better. Our D is where we need to improve greatly while the forwards grow & prospects hone their game.

I was an Ehlers guy at the time for speed & scoring but he joined a much deeper team & has plateaued imo. In the end i like JV better given he is better cost control & is cheaper. We need his type of style & size. I leave it to our top players to excel to make us better. Our D is where we need to improve greatly while the forwards grow & prospects hone their game.
- Nighthawk

Production will drop off when you’re buried by depth. JV’s production is what it is.

Production will drop off when you’re buried by depth. JV’s production is what it is.
- DrChristianTroy

All true but JV has yet to fully realize his potential. Time is ticking & i expect next year he arrives & proves himself. If not then he will become expendable once the prospect pool pushes him or he is traded.

JV is a Kreider type of player who tantalizes at times but never seems to be consistent. He has to be a very good top 9 winger if we are to be very good. Top 6 if he breaks out but that isn’t looking realistic.

All true but JV has yet to fully realize his potential. Time is ticking & i expect next year he arrives & proves himself. If not then he will become expendable once the prospect pool pushes him or he is traded.
- Nighthawk

Smart GMs acquire buy-low targets like Ehlers who no longer hold a primary role on their team... as opposed to mentally devaluing them based on their reduced stats in a reduced role & act like they’re suddenly on par with lesser skillset players because of it.

JV’s potential (& the likelihood he’ll reach it) is crystal clear IMO. The hockey IQ required for a statistical breakout isn’t there. He, at best, will be a detrimental passenger on a top 6 line. Most likely a role guy in the bottom 6 who doesn’t quite like or fit his role. To say you’d rather that than a proven top 6 cog is... interesting.

All things considered, neither are someone I really value for the current state of our build.

lol it is what it is. Horvat was a 'need fill' Gillis said so himself. Other than yourself I haven't heard anyone else claim JV was a 'need pick'. People around here say it more more of an Aquilini pick other than Benning himself but no real way to prove that.

Regardless of 'team BPA rankings' lol JV was ranked 7th. Information 'pointed' teams to different players but the draft is a crap shoot outside of the top 5 for the most part. No one knew that Ehlers or Nylander had the potential to be better at the time. But in hind sight people will point fingers saying 'I told you so'. I could be wrong but never did I hear Benning say he was picking JV to fill a need. At a #7 ranking the math pretty much says BPA at the time but again it is what it is.
- LordHumungous

i have to disagree. as bloated pointed out, it doesn't have to be an either/or proposition.

while, the rumours have been ripe that FA wanted JV, the pick did fit an organizational need. specifically, a power forward with size and skill.

i go back to benning's initial, "meat and potatoes," statement. that was a signal that the team wanted to add toughness, grit and size. those elements were seen as lacking or put another way a player with jake's profile fit an organizational need.

i have to disagree. as bloated pointed out, it doesn't have to be an either/or proposition.

while, the rumours have been ripe that FA wanted JV, the pick did fit an organizational need. specifically, a power forward with size and skill.

i go back to benning's initial, "meat and potatoes," statement. that was a signal that the team wanted to add toughness, grit and size. those elements were seen as lacking or put another way a player with jake's profile fit an organizational need.
- RealityChecker

Ya, this is how I look at it as well. really just wish JB drafted BPA instead. They would have been better off....

Smart GMs acquire buy-low targets like Ehlers who no longer hold a primary role on their team... as opposed to mentally devaluing them based on their reduced stats in a reduced role & act like they’re suddenly on par with lesser skillset players because of it.

JV’s potential (& the likelihood he’ll reach it) is crystal clear IMO. The hockey IQ required for a statistical breakout isn’t there. He, at best, will be a detrimental passenger on a top 6 line. Most likely a role guy in the bottom 6 who doesn’t quite like or fit his role. To say you’d rather that than a proven top 6 cog is... interesting.

All things considered, neither are someone I really value for the current state of our build.
- DrChristianTroy

JV is a 3rd wheel winger. Not good enough for top 6 & ill-suited on the 3rd line. I say this since he is more of skating forechecking banger who hasn’t figured out the NHL. He needs endless prodding hence his low hockey IQ. As for Ehlers his contract pays him as a top 6 & his production indicates that but still not a PO player imo. That’s not a knock as much as many regular season players fail in the PO’s.

JV is a 3rd wheel winger. Not good enough for top 6 & ill-suited on the 3rd line. I say this since he is more of skating forechecking banger who hasn’t figured out the NHL. He needs endless prodding hence his low hockey IQ. As for Ehlers his contract pays him as a top 6 & his production indicates that but still not a PO player imo. That’s not a knock as much as many regular season players fail in the PO’s.
- Nighthawk

People keep worrying about Pettersson & Hughes but from what I’ve seen of them, they’re both competitors/warriors. Their statures won’t have any bearing on their PO performances when we get there.

Also it's not like the 2014 draft has worked out for much of the top 10. Sam Bennett is not worthy of 4OA, MDC is not worth of 5OA, hayden fleury at 7, ritchie at 10. The top 10 that year is full of busts. Even Ehlers had a MEH year, followed by a pathetic playoffs.
- Retinalz

Agree. My expectations are set by paycheck and not draft position. Don't get me wrong, I still put a tremendous amount of value on top 5 picks. It's just that after they are picked, my focus is on solid player development (or lack of).

Why aren’t we talking about Gaunce?

People keep worrying about Pettersson & Hughes but from what I’ve seen of them, they’re both competitors/warriors. Their statures won’t have any bearing on their PO performances when we get there.
- DrChristianTroy

Agile edge skaters with their heads up. I’m not worried about size it’s overrated. Bigger players are not tougher just easier targets. Those thinking size means durability & pain is less & injuries less likely are not realistic.

100%. But, you know, arm-chair GM's have all the answers...

If memory serves me, JB was trying to move up to grab Reinhart. I believe I read in the Province that the Canucks wanted to bring on a BC boy....either skill or a big body that could bang....supposedly what the though that JV would bring.

Remember, in consecutive years, the Canucks were out-muscled in the playoffs by San Jose and LA. I do remember our boy, Vantel, being veryvocal about it. Not saying his pick was JV, that I dont remember, but there was pressure to add a big body....
- chompsey

Agree, the pick didn't seem out of place to me. Still not that upset about it. I like Virt and have no problem with canucks keeping him.

But I understand the perspective that Virt has some value and could be used to find a solution for a more pressing roster issue.

Why aren’t we talking about Gaunce?
- thundachunk

Statute of Limitations

Reminds me of drafting Nedved. JV appears to be a FA PR move when Nedved was the fans pick. Both had better other players in their draft years. I’m not a consensus type of person for those very reasons. The majority is often wrong. Local boy feel good stories are rare.
- Nighthawk

So true.

Agree. My expectations are set by paycheck and not draft position. Don't get me wrong, I still put a tremendous amount of value on top 5 picks. It's just that after they are picked, my focus is on solid player development (or lack of).
- bloatedmosquito

Utica wasn’t in great shape for our prospects to develop. The MG era went deeper than the Canucks he left being old & saddled with contracts leaving the cupboard bare. It still is a big work in progress.

So true.
- bloatedmosquito

Just for Vancouver, we don't deserve to have good local home grown talent.