Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Jake Virtanen Shows His Spicy Side to Connor McDavid The Vancouver Canucks kicked off their 2015 Young Stars tournament with an 8-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers but the big storyline was the physical play of Jake Virtanen, especially his big first-period hit on Connor McDavid.

Thanks CS, was looking for the coach's post game.

Draisitl>virtanen

I think too much is being made of that one hit. JV was hitting anything that moved last night. He is developing in to exactly what we hoped Kassian would be less the antics.

Clearly Oilers had the better team. It was nice to see Gaunce step up. I also liked the few minutes we saw of Stewart.

Aside from that there was little to talk about. Players like Fox , that Latvian , Brisboise probably won't be on the Comets so why worry.

Shink was a disappointment. It is game one of preseason but I didn't see much of a skill level and even less of a determination level.

Draisitl>virtanen
- Thunder_daddy

Well he was drafted higher and has outproduced him.


McDavid > Marner

Draisitl>virtanen
- Thunder_daddy

I mean Virtanen is a PPG player in the WHL and Draisaitl was over 1.6 PPG and was the MVP of the WHL playoffs and the memorial cup.. So yeah

I mean Virtanen is a PPG player in the WHL and Draisaitl was over 1.6 PPG and was the MVP of the WHL playoffs and the memorial cup.. So yeah
- Oil_Addict

The sky is blue

Well he was drafted higher and has outproduced him.


McDavid > Marner
- Nucker101

Give it a few years, they are still prospects.

Jake Virtanen reminds me of a Ryan Callahan lite. Look forward to seeing his game on the big stage in the next decade.
Best hockey fight I saw last year was @ Penticton. Some professional-try-out kid Wilson (canuck) cleaned someone's clock pretty good.

Jake Virtanen reminds me of a Ryan Callahan lite. Look forward to seeing his game on the big stage in the next decade.
Best hockey fight I saw last year was @ Penticton. Some professional-try-out kid Wilson (canuck) cleaned someone's clock pretty good.
- jeffgouldonfire

Right now, or is that what you project him to be? He's definitely bigger than Callahan. But if he turned out to be a lite version in terms of how good he ends up being, that's basically a 3rd liner.

Great read, Carol!! Thanks!
It must be nice to have something tangible to write about after a long, trying summer.

Great read, Carol!1 Thanks!
It must be nice to have something tangible to write about after a long, trying summer.
- Marwood

Flagged

What time is the Flames game today?never mind , I just discovered the Internet.

Flagged
- Nucker101

The Oilers are sure treating McDavid with golden gloves. Carol brought up an interesting point last night . She asked who will protect him when he plays on the Oilers? He will probably be playing with Hall and Eberle.

Sending out Gazdic the next shift to retaliate will lead to number of instigators

'I worry a bit that Jake Virtanen's fearless playing style could come back to bite him once he starts playing against NHL regulars'

I hear you on this Carol but unlike Burrows and even the tool Kesler to some extent from what I've seen of Virtanen so far, he will be able to back up his antics on the ice.

I like Vantels' previous analogy where he said Virtanen has a touch of Burrows and Lucic to his game...a fair assessment.

'I worry a bit that Jake Virtanen's fearless playing style could come back to bite him once he starts playing against NHL regulars'

I hear you on this Carol but unlike Burrows and even the tool Kesler to some extent from what I've seen of Virtanen so far, he will be able to back up his antics on the ice.

I like Vantels' previous analogy where he said Virtanen has a touch of Burrows and Lucic to his game...a fair assessment.
- LordHumungous

Last time I checked body checking is still part of the game and he shouldn't have to go up against a thug for a clean check.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...015-16-vancouver-canucks/

team profile

Last time I checked body checking is still part of the game and he shouldn't have to go up against a thug for a clean check.
- VANTEL

That would be nice, but in todays hockey it seems all clean hits are retaliated against.

Last time I checked body checking is still part of the game and he shouldn't have to go up against a thug for a clean check.
- VANTEL

If he makes it all business, and not too yappy, he should be okay. Refs don't really like the pests and stirring it up.

Draisitl>virtanen
- Thunder_daddy

Canucks > leafs.

Now don't you feel stupid...

Last time I checked body checking is still part of the game and he shouldn't have to go up against a thug for a clean check.
- VANTEL

Exactly, you don't have to throw down after a clean hit. I don't even mind a dirty player that will atleast back it up. (Messier Type)

That would be nice, but in todays hockey it seems all clean hits are retaliated against.
- Makita

Yeah, but that's up to the player. No one will call him a Richard if it's clean.

Gaunce - McCan - virtanen

First line at practice

Shinkaruk - cassels - fox

line 2