Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Comets Headed to Game 7, McLellan Staying in Pacific As the Vancouver Canucks' farm team heads into Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers' farm team, the big club in Northern Alberta is preparing to announce the signing of newly anointed gold medal-winning Team Canada coach Todd McLellan as its new bench boss.

First! Also, glad to hear Virtanen doing well. Hopefully he can net one in the next game

Good to hear that JV played well enough to be noticed out there. Hope he can turn it up for Game 7.

SJS need RW and a goalie.
We need D.

Zack Kassian/Ryan Miller/Corrado for Brent Burns

Good to hear that JV played well enough to be noticed out there. Hope he can turn it up for Game 7.

SJS need RW and a goalie.
We need D.

Zack Kassian/Ryan Miller/Corrado for Brent Burns
- dbot

Burns does his best work as a winger. I still wouldn't overpay for him though.

Good to hear that JV played well enough to be noticed out there. Hope he can turn it up for Game 7.

SJS need RW and a goalie.
We need D.

Zack Kassian/Ryan Miller/Corrado for Brent Burns
- dbot

Interesting. Add a third to that so we can recoup our third Rd pick

Virtanen barely played and it was also his first pro game so it was hard to really evaluate him. He's definitely not afraid to throw a big hit. His biggest flaw is probably how much he struggles with the cycle game, but for a guy with his speed, size and strength, it can be improved. In the WHL he got away with it, but in the pros he'll need to learn how to cycle the puck or he's going to struggle since scoring off of the rush only will limit his upside.

Virtanen barely played and it was also his first pro game so it was hard to really evaluate him. He's definitely not afraid to throw a big hit. His biggest flaw is probably how much he struggles with the cycle game, but for a guy with his speed, size and strength, it can be improved. In the WHL he got away with it, but in the pros he'll need to learn how to cycle the puck or he's going to struggle since scoring off of the rush only will limit his upside.
- Nucker101

He has alot to learn from 18 year old Sam Bennett.

He has alot to learn from 18 year old Sam Bennett.
- rugdnit

Virtanen barely played and it was also his first pro game so it was hard to really evaluate him. He's definitely not afraid to throw a big hit. His biggest flaw is probably how much he struggles with the cycle game, but for a guy with his speed, size and strength, it can be improved. In the WHL he got away with it, but in the pros he'll need to learn how to cycle the puck or he's going to struggle since scoring off of the rush only will limit his upside.
- Nucker101

I watched JV play all year vs the Rebels here in the WHL. I would say effort level is an issue also. Looks very lazy at times. Has the big shot and is a decent skater but he relaxes into comfort zones...hopefully that can be coached out of him in Utica.

Good to hear that JV played well enough to be noticed out there. Hope he can turn it up for Game 7.

SJS need RW and a goalie.
We need D.

Zack Kassian/Ryan Miller/Corrado for Brent Burns
- dbot

Lack/Higgins/Burrows/Bieksa/Hansen/Edler/ for Burns/Thornton/Marleau.

Tuesday!

I watched JV play all year vs the Rebels here in the WHL. I would say effort level is an issue also. Looks very lazy at times. Has the big shot and is a decent skater but he relaxes into comfort zones...hopefully that can be coached out of him in Utica.
- LordHumungous

Yeah, I've read about this before from people who watch him.


I'm not extremely worried about that. The one thing the Canucks core definitely doesn't lack is in their work ethic. It would be hard for Virtanen to get away with being lazy or taking a shift off and just floating during some shifts when the vets like Henrik, Daniel, Hamhuis, Burrows, Higgins, Hansen, Dorsett etc and even the young guys like Horvat/Tanev are going at 100% every shift. Plus some guys are just like that in junior, they think they're took good for it, especially after being drafted highly.

Obviously it's not great to hear that he does lose interest in the WHL at times, you'd prefer to have every prospect play like Bo Horvat did in junior but I bet he'll show more hunger/motivation in the pros once he makes it because he'll have something to prove again like he did during his draft year.

It's a mild concern at this point.

"If McLellan can find a way to help Edmonton's typically hapless defence not "do too much wrong" next season, we could be looking at a very different team when the Canucks face the Oilers."


With Nurse getting a legitimate shot to make the team, and probable offseason deals for additional D and goaltending. I would concur with this.

Lack/Higgins/Burrows/Bieksa/Hansen/Edler/ for Burns/Thornton/Marleau.

Tuesday!


- LordHumungous

Think they are in wait and see mode until the draft.

"If McLellan can find a way to help Edmonton's typically hapless defence not "do too much wrong" next season, we could be looking at a very different team when the Canucks face the Oilers."


With Nurse getting a legitimate shot to make the team, and probable offseason deals for additional D and goaltending. I would concur with this.
- VanHockeyGuy

Wonder if they try and trade for jimmy howard

The one game I watched when he was in PG he was almost non existent.

The Oilers have done a remarkable job with their hires this spring, they finally got some very capable NHL people in charge and now they have a legit NHL coach. If they can find two or three players to complement those kids, and get some goaltending....look out!!!

The Oilers have done a remarkable job with their hires this spring, they finally got some very capable NHL people in charge and now they have a legit NHL coach. If they can find two or three players to complement those kids, and get some goaltending....look out!!!
- LeftCoaster

Meanwhile...

The Oilers have done a remarkable job with their hires this spring, they finally got some very capable NHL people in charge and now they have a legit NHL coach. If they can find two or three players to complement those kids, and get some goaltending....look out!!!
- LeftCoaster

Normally when people talk like this about the Oilers it sarcasm but If they get some capable D and goaltending you're right.

Meanwhile...



- Nucker101

facepalm.

facepalm.
- thundachunk

that poop happens...again making a big deal outta nothing because it happened once. We all know Sbisa's not a great defenceman, let's just give it up all ready.

Ryan Suter and Brian Boyle have both shot the puck into their own nets, just to name a few...let it go.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/...top-10-own-goals-1.896479

that poop happens...again making a big deal outta nothing because it happened once. We all know Sbisa's not a great defenceman, let's just give it up all ready.

Ryan Suter and Brian Boyle have both shot the puck into their own nets, just to name a few...let it go.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/...top-10-own-goals-1.896479
- LeftCoaster

But do they also suck?

"If McLellan can find a way to help Edmonton's typically hapless defence not "do too much wrong" next season, we could be looking at a very different team when the Canucks face the Oilers."


With Nurse getting a legitimate shot to make the team, and probable offseason deals for additional D and goaltending. I would concur with this.
- VanHockeyGuy

A lot can still happen in the off season, but I think the Canucks just became the fourth best team in the division. New blood might help in SJ, but unless they sign Babcock their coaching is going to be worse.

But do they also suck?
- Nucker101

Apparently yes

The Oilers have done a remarkable job with their hires this spring, they finally got some very capable NHL people in charge and now they have a legit NHL coach. If they can find two or three players to complement those kids, and get some goaltending....look out!!!
- LeftCoaster

Vancouver.

A lot can still happen in the off season, but I think the Canucks just became the fourth best team in the division. New blood might help in SJ, but unless they sign Babcock their coaching is going to be worse.
- 1970vintage

As the team stands today, yes they have dropped to fourth. Is that a good thing? I think so. EDM prospects are scary, and they will only improve. Time for the other weak links to rebuild.