Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: Jake Virtanen In the Driver's Seat for an NHL Job A great start and an excellent finish to the Young Stars tournament by Jake Virtanen gives him the inside track on an NHL job as the Vancouver Canucks gather for training camp.

great write-up carol.

While I believe Zalewski/Gaunce/Subban got the night off as a "reward" for their great play, I don't think the same can be said for Sautner..

JV will get his 9 games, but I hope we give him another year to dominate in junior. No point in rushing him now. Would rather see Gaunce get his shot.

JV will get his 9 games, but I hope we give him another year to dominate in junior. No point in rushing him now. Would rather see Gaunce get his shot.
- we_are_all_canucks

Im 50/50 on this. If Virtanen has 9 solid games, then keep him up, if he looks lost defensively then Gaunce should get a look.

Im 50/50 on this. If Virtanen has 9 solid games, then keep him up, if he looks lost defensively then Gaunce should get a look.
- Codes1087

If Benning is really using the "Detroit model" as he often refers to, he would allow a high quality asset like Virtanen the time to develop. Perhaps there is nothing more for him to learn in junior, but he should do his time in the AHL first. That wouldn't happen until next season. We aren't a contender this year, so why not be patient. Bring the younger players that have done their time at the pro level up to the big club.

Horvat was the exception, because of his defensive responsibility. Virtanen could make it a difficult choice, but playing against men is different than playing against juniors.

Anyone have a link for Travis Green's post game comments?

hey BB, our guy is really good with numbers and stuff too.

maybe not,

"While we don’t know what data the Canucks are looking at to inform their decision-making, their moves this summer suggest the organization doesn’t trust in the most popular publicly-available metrics like shot attempt differential."



http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...ucks-young-stars-classic/

Gaunce blows - maybe he'll cut it one day as a 4th liner

love the promise of Virtanen, seeing it come to fruition like it appears to be really makes last season look like waste for the nucks

A bottom 5 finish and netting a Strome/Hanafin/Marner would have the Canucks so much more ahead in the long term than a 1st round exit did

Time will tell

Im 50/50 on this. If Virtanen has 9 solid games, then keep him up, if he looks lost defensively then Gaunce should get a look.
- Codes1087

This...will be the key.

Gaunce blows - maybe he'll cut it one day as a 4th liner
love the promise of Virtanen, seeing it come to fruition like it appears to be really makes last season look like waste for the nucks

A bottom 5 finish and netting a Strome/Hanafin/Marner would have the Canucks so much more ahead in the long term than a 1st round exit did

Time will tell
- TheGame316

Is this strictly off of your own observations?

Gaunce blows - maybe he'll cut it one day as a 4th liner

love the promise of Virtanen, seeing it come to fruition like it appears to be really makes last season look like waste for the nucks

A bottom 5 finish and netting a Strome/Hanafin/Marner would have the Canucks so much more ahead in the long term than a 2nd round exit did

Time will tell
- TheGame316

Fixed!!

this is a test.

Anyone have a link for Travis Green's post game comments?

hey BB, our guy is really good with numbers and stuff too.

maybe not,

"While we don’t know what data the Canucks are looking at to inform their decision-making, their moves this summer suggest the organization doesn’t trust in the most popular publicly-available metrics like shot attempt differential."

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...ucks-young-stars-classic/
- hillbillydeluxe

"McCann can do it all

When asked if there were any players other than Virtanen who could realistically push for a roster spot at next weekend’s main camp, Benning named two: Cole Cassels and Jared McCann. Both centreman.

Look out, Linden Vey."

Gaunce blows - maybe he'll cut it one day as a 4th liner

love the promise of Virtanen, seeing it come to fruition like it appears to be really makes last season look like waste for the nucks

A bottom 5 finish and netting a Strome/Hanafin/Marner would have the Canucks so much more ahead in the long term than a 1st round exit did

Time will tell
- TheGame316

Wrong forum.
I think the Oilers welcome that stuff in their threads.

this is a test.
- Marwood

Apparently, it has all been decided.

Gaunce blows - maybe he'll cut it one day as a 4th liner

love the promise of Virtanen, seeing it come to fruition like it appears to be really makes last season look like waste for the nucks

A bottom 5 finish and netting a Strome/Hanafin/Marner would have the Canucks so much more ahead in the long term than a 1st round exit did

Time will tell
- TheGame316

Thank you Captain Obvious.

Thank you Captain Obvious.
- bloatedmosquito

I could have sworn he was a Leaf fan. Forget the Detroit model, it is the MB model.

Gaunce blows - maybe he'll cut it one day as a 4th liner

love the promise of Virtanen, seeing it come to fruition like it appears to be really makes last season look like waste for the nucks

A bottom 5 finish and netting a Strome/Hanafin/Marner would have the Canucks so much more ahead in the long term than a 1st round exit did

Time will tell
- TheGame316

Glad you wanted to share your opinion, last season was a surprise and playoffs a disappointment. But this team wasn't drafting that low regardless, well if Torts was still coach then yea, but the team had to much talent to draft 3rd 4th overall

Gaunce blows - maybe he'll cut it one day as a 4th liner

love the promise of Virtanen, seeing it come to fruition like it appears to be really makes last season look like waste for the nucks

A bottom 5 finish and netting a Strome/Hanafin/Marner would have the Canucks so much more ahead in the long term than a 1st round exit did

Time will tell
- TheGame316

Coming from a team that is rated the worst prospect pool in the NHL.

Coming from a team that is rated the worst prospect pool in the NHL.
- Codes1087

Who needs prospects when Grimace plays for your team.

NHL.com has Sbisa making team Europe and Edler not making Team Sweden.

Which is more surprising?

NHL.com has Sbisa making team Europe and Edler not making Team Sweden.

Which is more surprising?
- belcherbd

8 spots on Swedens blueline, I dont see him top 8....

Hedmen
Karlsson
Ekman-Larsson
Kronwall
Enstrom
Straalman
Lindholm
Brodin
Hjalmarsson
Larsson
Ericsson
Edler

8 spots on Swedens blueline, I dont see him top 8....

Hedmen
Karlsson
Ekman-Larsson
Kronwall
Enstrom
Straalman
Lindholm
Brodin
Hjalmarsson
Larsson
Ericsson
Edler
- Codes1087

Ya I'm certainly not that surprised but I would have him before Ericsson, Larsson, Brodin and Lindholm for sure. Enstrom and Hjarlmarsson maybe not.

They had Hedman, OEL, Kronwall, Hjarlmarsson, Karlsson, Stralman and Klingberg. Pretty hard to argue with that list, I thought Klingberg was the best rookie let alone rookie D last year so I can understand why he would be there.

NHL.com has Sbisa making team Europe and Edler not making Team Sweden.

Which is more surprising?
- belcherbd

I can't even remember that last season Edler was an impact player. And when I say impact I mean in a positive way. Lots of examples of him impacting the game in a negative way.

NHL.com has Sbisa making team Europe and Edler not making Team Sweden.

Which is more surprising?
- belcherbd

Edler used to be a fairly punishing hitter with a touch of meaness...now he's a creampuff once the country club in Van got ahold of him.

Sbizza well...is Sbizza.

Ya I'm certainly not that surprised but I would have him before Ericsson, Larsson, Brodin and Lindholm for sure. Enstrom and Hjarlmarsson maybe not.

They had Hedman, OEL, Kronwall, Hjarlmarsson, Karlsson, Stralman and Klingberg. Pretty hard to argue with that list, I thought Klingberg was the best rookie let alone rookie D last year so I can understand why he would be there.
- belcherbd

Brodin is a VERY under-rated defenseman though.