JV is one of the softest players on the team. It’s bizarre when he is mentioned as a power forward. He is basically a Canadian version of Loui. Jake needs to figure out what kind of player he wants to be ASAP. I’m hopeful he is traded
- CanuckDon

Gross exaggeration

Maybe ferland will be good for jake, ferland had a life full of partying and quit and got married.

Maybe ferland will be good for jake, ferland had a life full of partying and quit and got married.
- Bettmanhatesus

Let’s be honest, Ferland probably had a tougher life growing up raised by a single mother who was living by the paycheque. He probably did some Booner-like poop on the streets while Jake just being “one of the boys” and partying every weekend/summer.



Not a shot at Jake, most of us would do the same in his shoes, especially as a teenager/young adult.

Let’s be honest, Ferland probably had a tougher life growing up raised by a single mother who was living by the paycheque. He probably did some Booner-like poop on the streets while Jake just being “one of the boys” and partying every weekend/summer.



Not a shot at Jake, most of us would do the same in his shoes, especially as a teenager/young adult.
- Nucker101

I agree, 2 different backgrounds but jake could maybe learn from him.

I don't think people ever really learn to play mean. They are or aren't. Jake isn't a mean physical type. He will never ever be a power forward in the nhl. Ever. Book that.

I don't think people ever really learn to play mean. They are or aren't. Jake isn't a mean physical type. He will never ever be a power forward in the nhl. Ever. Book that.
- anavar

Agreed, he's never going to be that guy that consistently plays on the edge. But people acting like he's not physical are way off, he averages about the same hits per game as Ferland during the past 2 years, keep in mind that that Ferland gets more minutes per game as well

Let’s be honest, Ferland probably had a tougher life growing up raised by a single mother who was living by the paycheque. He probably did some Booner-like poop on the streets while Jake just being “one of the boys” and partying every weekend/summer.

Not a shot at Jake, most of us would do the same in his shoes, especially as a teenager/young adult.
- Nucker101

I swear to god that Nucker101 is used by more than one person... or you suffer from multiple personality disorder. One of the two.

I swear to god that Nucker101 is used by more than one person... or you suffer from multiple personality disorder. One of the two.
- bloatedmosquito

Nah, I'm just open-minded. Thinking about that Sbisa contract still triggers me a little on the inside.

Let’s be honest, Ferland probably had a tougher life growing up raised by a single mother who was living by the paycheque. He probably did some Booner-like poop on the streets while Jake just being “one of the boys” and partying every weekend/summer.



Not a shot at Jake, most of us would do the same in his shoes, especially as a teenager/young adult.
- Nucker101

Ferland, being in recoveryf, has always held a special place in my heart.

Im really looking forward to what this kid can bring to this line up.

And yeah, if Jake could take some mental notes, that'd probably help..... But unfortunately, at this stage of the game.... Virtanens IQ is the part of his game that needs to most work (as well as physicality) ....However, I've hit my wall when it comes to patience with this kid.

I really want JV to show a big step forward this year, or else I'd rather see him moved.

His on ice intelligence more often than not makes me want to throw my remote control through my fukking TV.

Agreed, he's never going to be that guy that consistently plays on the edge. But people acting like he's not physical are way off, he averages more than 2 hits per game. Any players who averages 2 hits per game in today's NHL is considered to be pretty physical.
- Nucker101

The "people" you talk about acting like he's not physical run this team. JB doesn't want JV just to be physical, he wants him to play a bruising style like Ferland.

If it's unreasonable to think that way then isn't that another concern about this management group's ability to assess pro talent?

I'm not whining, just asking the question.

Nah, I'm just open-minded. Thinking about that Sbisa contract still triggers me a little on the inside.
- Nucker101

The bullying got to you didn't it?

It's okay, this is a safe place now...

The bullying got to you didn't it?

It's okay, this is a safe place now...
- belcherbd

Especially after you changed your avatar lol!

The "people" you talk about acting like he's not physical run this team. JB doesn't want JV just to be physical, he wants him to play a bruising style like Ferland.

If it's unreasonable to think that way then isn't that another concern about this management group's ability to assess pro talent?

I'm not whining, just asking the question.
- bloatedmosquito

Canes and Flames fans have both said that Ferland's playoff series vs the Canucks isn't the way he normally plays these days, maybe due to the injuries to his head/back.


He averaged 6.5 hits per game vs the Canucks in that series, but his recent season averages are 2.5 hits per game.

Jake averages 2 hits per game during his past 2 seasons, but with less ice time.


The difference is that Ferland's hits are probably harder and plus he's a much better and more willing fighter. I also believe that playing on more physical teams makes it easier for guys like Virtanen to be more physical. He gets more attention from the other team when he's the main one throwing his weight around. I'd bet good money that he'd average more hits playing on the Jets, Ducks or Kings. It's nice to at least have a few guys up front now that will maybe encourage each other to be more physical when all 3 are healthy and in the lineup. Roussel, Ferland and Jake.

Ferland, being in recoveryf, has always held a special place in my heart.

Im really looking forward to what this kid can bring to this line up.

And yeah, if Jake could take some mental notes, that'd probably help..... But unfortunately, at this stage of the game.... Virtanens IQ is the part of his game that needs to most work (as well as physicality) ....However, I've hit my wall when it comes to patience with this kid.

I really want JV to show a big step forward this year, or else I'd rather see him moved.

His on ice intelligence more often than not makes me want to throw my remote control through my fukking TV.
- vancity787

I think we just accept Jake for the player he is, a 3rd line physical speedy winger who can score 15 goals is still pretty valuable. If he does take a step forward then that's just gravy. You're right about hockey sense not being great, but at the same time I;'d argue that that he plays a straight line game because he knows that he doesn't have the puck handling skills to be effective playing a different style.

I feel like TG's would be best served playing with EP and BB. Horvat is a helluva player but hes not a playmaker. You cant count on Ferland to make the plays.....

Definitely a stronger top 2 lines. I would argue better than the Gillis era top 2 lines as a whole. Obviously EP and BB arent the Sedins yet, but Miller and Pearson are better than the plugs Kesler played with....

Bring the hate you fuckers.....
- chompsey

F*Uck you Chompers!

Canes and Flames fans have both said that Ferland's playoff series vs the Canucks isn't the way he normally plays these days, maybe due to the injuries to his head/back.


He averaged 6.5 hits per game vs the Canucks in that series, but his recent season averages are 2.5 hits per game.

Jake averages 2 hits per game during his past 2 seasons, but with less ice time.


The difference is that Ferland's hits are probably harder and plus he's a much better and more willing fighter. I also believe that playing on more physical teams makes it easier for guys like Virtanen to be more physical. He gets more attention from the other team when he's the main one throwing his weight around. I'd bet good money that he'd average more hits playing on the Jets, Ducks or Kings. It's nice to at least have a few guys up front now that will maybe encourage each other to be more physical when all 3 are healthy and in the lineup. Roussel, Ferland and Jake.
- Nucker101

I agree expecting Ferland to continually play the role he played vs us in the 2015 playoffs is unrealistic...but he is going to be busy with the players taking liberties with Petey Hughes and Brock. Unlike Guddy...Ferland will do something about it.

I think we just accept Jake for the player he is, a 3rd line physical speedy winger who can score 15 goals is still pretty valuable. If he does take a step forward then that's just gravy. You're right about hockey sense not being great, but at the same time I;'d argue that that he plays a straight line game because he knows that he doesn't have the puck handling skills to be effective playing a different style.
- Nucker101

Have to. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter how any of these guys got here. Use them in a way that makes the most of what they are & stop dwelling on previous expectations.

I'd like to see TG go outside the box , and put Ep with Miller and JV and go back to BH with BB and Ferland , EP can and would make anyone on his line better, so why not use him to maximize JV.

I'd like to see TG go outside the box , and put Ep with Miller and JV and go back to BH with BB and Ferland , EP can and would make anyone on his line better, so why not use him to maximize JV.
- onesmallleap

Because that’s not maximizing JV’s skillset. At all. It’s also minimizing Pettersson and Boeser.

Because that’s not maximizing JV’s skillset. At all. It’s also minimizing Pettersson and Boeser.
- DrChristianTroy

Yeah, jv does not have the bucket to play with ep. Jv is way more suited to the north south game.

Because that’s not maximizing JV’s skillset. At all. It’s also minimizing Pettersson and Boeser.
- DrChristianTroy

I would have i to see it happen , before matter of factly dismissing it.

I would have i to see it happen , before matter of factly dismissing it.
- onesmallleap

I never liked that the Nux coaches never separated the Sedins. They shouldn't have played together except power play and last two minutes of any game.

Yeah, jv does not have the bucket to play with ep. Jv is way more suited to the north south game.
- anavar

If people could let go of the bust factor/trying to make him something he’s not, they’d probably be very happy with how he’d look as an energy north south bottom 6 & PK contributor. PK is perfect for Virtanen. Structured. No room to overthink. Then turn on the (frank)ing jets when the puck becomes available. He’d score 5+ SHbreakawayG/yr.

I never liked that the Nux coaches never separated the Sedins. They shouldn't have played together except power play and last two minutes of any game.
- kaptaan

Ever? That's the dumbest thing anyone has ever said here, congrats. No small feat.

If people could let go of the bust factor/trying to make him something he’s not, they’d probably be very happy with how he’d look as an energy north south bottom 6 & PK contributor. PK is perfect for Virtanen. Structured. No room to overthink. Then turn on the (frank)ing jets when the puck becomes available. He’d score 5+ SHbreakawayG/yr.
- DrChristianTroy

Agreed, if he wasn't drafted 6th overall I think there would be less angst for him. If he could potentially pot twenty. Yippee. Boners for days.