Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Game Review: Radim Vrbata Resurfaces for Win in Minnesota The Vancouver Canucks started off their latest road trip on a positive note with a 3-2 win against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night.

How many of you thought Min would tie it last night? I'm glad they got the W!!!

McCan clearly earning the ice time he is getting.

Time to send Virtanen back to JR? I can't say that his being here is helping his development, unless we're looking for the next Jim Sandlak.

Time to send Virtanen back to JR? I can't say that his being here is helping his development, unless we're looking for the next Jim Sandlak.
- we_are_all_canucks

Is he hurting the team being in the line up? I'm not seeing it.

Is he hurting the team being in the line up? I'm not seeing it.
- thundachunk

He's making mistakes, not picking up players coming back on defence, more giveaways lately, not scoring. He hits a lot though. I guess I worry about his confidence level. I don't think WD has a lot of confidence in him right now either. He has a long career ahead of him, and IMHO it would help him to go back and dominate in the juniors, and make the Canadian squad next month.

McCann and Hutton have earned their spot on the team. Just don't see it with JV yet.

Time to send Virtanen back to JR? I can't say that his being here is helping his development, unless we're looking for the next Jim Sandlak.
- we_are_all_canucks

I wouldn't be against sending him back. Wouldn't mind seeing a trade to move a winger and get him in the lineup more, but wouldn't be surprised if we see an injury or two create some opportunity.

If JV sits in the press box too much, that can't be very good. If Sutter had remained healthy, wondering who would be in the lineup?

I still don't understand how refs call games. It is like they want to let the chippy and cheap stuff go, especially away from the puck.

He's making mistakes, not picking up players coming back on defence, more giveaways lately, not scoring. He hits a lot though. I guess I worry about his confidence level. I don't think WD has a lot of confidence in him right now either. He has a long career ahead of him, and IMHO it would help him to go back and dominate in the juniors, and make the Canadian squad next month.

McCann and Hutton have earned their spot on the team. Just don't see it with JV yet.
- we_are_all_canucks

I have had similar concerns. I know he needs to pick up his defensive game, but I also want him to work and learn at being a scorer. Sometimes dealing with these power forward types they focus too much on hitting and grinding and less time on refining their offense. He has had some good chances and is shooting but I am going back and forth whether I want him to stay in a bottom-6 role or go back to junior to be the offensive guy we want in the Canucks top 6

I have had similar concerns. I know he needs to pick up his defensive game, but I also want him to work and learn at being a scorer. Sometimes dealing with these power forward types they focus too much on hitting and grinding and less time on refining their offense. He has had some good chances and is shooting but I am going back and forth whether I want him to stay in a bottom-6 role or go back to junior to be the offensive guy we want in the Canucks top 6
- WhiteLie

If he plays 10 minutes a game, or ends up playing 10 mins per at the end of the year, regardless of line, is that enough?

If he could be sent down to the ahl, would the Canucks send him down? If the answer is yes, he should prolly go back to jr.

McCan clearly earning the ice time he is getting.
- Codes1087

He is. Can't see him going to the WJHC if he keeps up the good play.

Time to send Virtanen back to JR? I can't say that his being here is helping his development, unless we're looking for the next Jim Sandlak.
- we_are_all_canucks

Nothing more can Virtanen do in junior. Keep him here...manage his minutes. and there will be more injuries. He will need to fill in. Some big games vs some big heavy clubs coming up and we need all the crashing and banging we can get.

He is. Can't see him going to the WJHC if he keeps up the good play.
- LordHumungous

Hopefully he continues to have chemistry with Vrbata, they looked good together and I wouldn't like to see McCann go from producing with him to having Prust and Dorsett as wingers when Sutter comes back

This Malkin trade is (frank)ing brutal

Yup

If he plays 10 minutes a game, or ends up playing 10 mins per at the end of the year, regardless of line, is that enough?

If he could be sent down to the ahl, would the Canucks send him down? If the answer is yes, he should prolly go back to jr.
- hillbillydeluxe

I think that if he could go to the AHL, they probably would send him down there to increase his role. I dont mind him getting 10 minutes a game, I just want them to contain some quality minutes. Maybe mix in a shift with the Sedins after the PK on occasion

I wouldn't be against sending him back. Wouldn't mind seeing a trade to move a winger and get him in the lineup more, but wouldn't be surprised if we see an injury or two create some opportunity.

If JV sits in the press box too much, that can't be very good. If Sutter had remained healthy, wondering who would be in the lineup?

I still don't understand how refs call games. It is like they want to let the chippy and cheap stuff go, especially away from the puck.
- hillbillydeluxe

This is what needs to happen. Bolster the D a little bit. If it costs us Edler and Hamhuis so be it. Tanev as well. Moves can be made without sacrificing the development of the kids.

Nothing more can Virtanen do in junior. Keep him here...manage his minutes. and there will be more injuries. He will need to fill in. Some big games vs some big heavy clubs coming up and we need all the crashing and banging we can get.


Yup

There are 5-6 other players I would send back to Jr, AHL, or Switzerland.

Nothing more can Virtanen do in junior. Keep him here...manage his minutes. and there will be more injuries. He will need to fill in. Some big games vs some big heavy clubs coming up and we need all the crashing and banging we can get.
- LordHumungous

I feel like he's shying away from getting in on the play on defence. He hasn't really been throwing the body around either.

It's harder to be physically dominant against grown men, and I think it is getting to him a little bit.

This Malkin trade is (frank)ing brutal
- Gullzy

Take it up with the commissioner.

This Malkin trade is (frank)ing brutal
- Gullzy

+1

I think that if he could go to the AHL, they probably would send him down there to increase his role. I dont mind him getting 10 minutes a game, I just want them to contain some quality minutes. Maybe a shift after the PK with the Sedins mixed in there on occasion
- WhiteLie

Sounds like he is playing his safe game, just like Horvat often did for the first half of last season.

That giveaway JV had when he reversed the puck in our end last game was a little disappointing, he had a little time and another option, but I've seen vets do similar when they are tired at the end of a shift.

Wondering what WD is thinking? If he minds having JV on the roster or if JV is progressing as scheduled?

Our lineup is in flux, I expect we will see more injuries and slumps resulting in the lines being shuffled. If JV wasn't here, I guess we would be seeing more of Gaunce and Grenier, which wouldn't be so bad either...

I wouldn't be against sending him back. Wouldn't mind seeing a trade to move a winger and get him in the lineup more, but wouldn't be surprised if we see an injury or two create some opportunity.

If JV sits in the press box too much, that can't be very good. If Sutter had remained healthy, wondering who would be in the lineup?

I still don't understand how refs call games. It is like they want to let the chippy and cheap stuff go, especially away from the puck.
- hillbillydeluxe

It's like we talked about before with the whole game management thing. The leagues new thing this year is pushing the 3/3 OT and they are doing whatever they can to get games to the OT frame. Last night's game was a prime example. You just knew Minny was going to get the opportunity to get the 2nd and tying goal. Sure the Edler trip late in the 3rd was an actual penalty but the thing is it shouldn't have gotten to that point. On another night that puck off the crossbar with a few min left goes in and we're all tied up. Just look at the amount of phantom calls all around the league teams are up by two or more going into the third.

+1
- WhiteLie

I'm looking to make a big trade. I need a stud d man and a stud goalie. I've got the best forward group in the pool, make me offers!!!

PS: I'm looking to bend someone over

It's like we talked about before with the whole game management thing. The leagues new thing this year is pushing the 3/3 OT and they are doing whatever they can to get games to the OT frame. Last night's game was a prime example. You just knew Minny was going to get the opportunity to get the 2nd and tying goal. Sure the Edler trip late in the 3rd was an actual penalty but the thing is it shouldn't have gotten to that point. On another night that puck off the crossbar with a few min left goes in and we're all tied up. Just look at the amount of phantom calls all around the league teams are up by two or more going into the third.
- LordHumungous

I missed the Weber cross check, was it bad?

I'm looking to make a big trade. I need a stud d man and a stud goalie. I've got the best forward group in the pool, make me offers!!!

PS: I'm looking to bend someone over
- Scooby_Doo

Don't look at me, I'm in the process of returning the team to Vancity. That league is brutally difficult to compete with all the keepers and roster spots when you come in midseason

If anyone is looking to start a fresh one though...