Canucks Young Guns

[Ronning's Ghost]

Even if JV ends up being a Brad May style grinder, that's OK. Every team needs one of those guys too.

There's nothing wrong if Virtanen winds up as the Raffi Torres 3rd liner, capable of teasing of greater things but lacking consistency.

If he can be a middle six guy like a Hansen who hits harder Im ok with that.

Sure enough, such players are valuable contributors, but wouldn't you hope for more from a 6th overall ? If he tops out where you describe, is he not at least a semi-bust of a draft pick ?

[Island Nucklehead]

Even if JV ends up being a Brad May style grinder, that's OK. Every team needs one of those guys too.

There's nothing wrong if Virtanen winds up as the Raffi Torres 3rd liner, capable of teasing of greater things but lacking consistency.

If he can be a middle six guy like a Hansen who hits harder Im ok with that.

Sure enough, such players are valuable contributors, but wouldn't you hope for more from a 6th overall ? If he tops out where you describe, is he not at least a semi-bust of a draft pick ?

Of course you would have expected more, and almost certainly picked differently if you had a do-over. But at some point you have to get over all that and deal with the player you have.

[Ronning's Ghost]

Even if JV ends up being a Brad May style grinder, that's OK. Every team needs one of those guys too.

There's nothing wrong if Virtanen winds up as the Raffi Torres 3rd liner, capable of teasing of greater things but lacking consistency.

If he can be a middle six guy like a Hansen who hits harder Im ok with that.

Sure enough, such players are valuable contributors, but wouldn't you hope for more from a 6th overall ? If he tops out where you describe, is he not at least a semi-bust of a draft pick ?

Of course you would have expected more, and almost certainly picked differently if you had a do-over. But at some point you have to get over all that and deal with the player you have.

Fair enough. I guess the point I was disputing was "being OK with that". If you mean that it won't disturb your personal mental equilibrium, terrific. If you mean that you consider it an example of acceptable drafting performance from the GM you're looking to mastermind your rebuild, I must disagree.

If this seems to a Benning supporter like a gratuitous slag, let me assure you that I accept that:

a) there is a lot of luck involved in drafting 18-year-olds, so it's unfair to judge a GM's performance by one draft pick
b) no NHL GM in history (that I know of) has been successful with every pick
c) it would have taken some pretty serious stones for a first time GM to not draft the big, fast-skating, hard-hitting local kid

A disappointing first-ever draft pick is actually consistent with the position to which I find myself gravitating, that rookie GM Benning has been learning on the job, as most rookie anythings must. Not geniuses, though

[Topper]

Clark Gillis is the poster boy for late developing power forwards.

If Cam Neely was fully developed right out of the box, why was he traded?

[Blob Mckenzie]

Clark Gillies scored 34 goals in his second NHL season and averaged thirty plus for the next seven or eight years after.

Neely had 56 goals over three seasons getting 4th line ice time. He scored 36 in his fourth year before he turned 22. He was traded because of a retarded coach and and even dumber GM.

[SKYO]

Even if JV ends up being a Brad May style grinder, that's OK. Every team needs one of those guys too.

There's nothing wrong if Virtanen winds up as the Raffi Torres 3rd liner, capable of teasing of greater things but lacking consistency.

If he can be a middle six guy like a Hansen who hits harder Im ok with that.

Sure enough, such players are valuable contributors, but wouldn't you hope for more from a 6th overall ? If he tops out where you describe, is he not at least a semi-bust of a draft pick ?

Didn't realize Torres scored 20 & 27 goal season's with Edmonton after the Islanders traded him and Isbister to the Oil for Janne Niinimaa, 2nd + 4th.

[Chef Boi RD]

Holy Shit Bubble Tea give it a rest.

[Strangelove]

Holy Shit Bubble Tea give it a rest.

Bubbles seems intent on sticking a fork in 21-year-old Virtanen.

He's like a man possessed!

[SKYO]

People love to be right! ha

But cc bro's/sista's - I think Virtanen has a golden opportunity with Pettersson, TG will likely want a scrapper/scorer with him to protect him from the NHL wolves in his rookie season.

Could bode well for Blob's favourite assassination targets Eriksson and Virtanen, Loui the scoring vet takes EP under his wing while JV does the dirty work and protects his new homie.

1st year for EP

LW: Loui Eriksson - C: Elias Pettersson - RW: Jake Virtanen this line could bloom & probably will start as the 3rd line next season.

[Chef Boi RD]

Bubbles is very negative with his postings. He needs to chill out and be patient with the JimBro

[Blob Mckenzie]

Holy Shit Bubble Tea give it a rest.

Bubbles seems intent on sticking a fork in 21-year-old Virtanen.

He's like a man possessed!

I’m not sticking a fork in him. I just punched a huge pitchfork in the retarded myth that power forwards take longer to develop. It’s fucking nonsense

[SKYO]

You realize not EVERYONE develops like Cam Neely or Tkachuck right? does everyone develop at the same linear path? nope.

Just like bitches, some look like porn stars in high school, but some are late bloomers like Alexis Texas...point is Blobster, there is no gaurantee what a player will turn into after the first few years of development...thing is chill bro.

All the best teams in America are built via the draft, so be grateful we got someone who shoots over 50% per pick.

[Blob Mckenzie]

No shit Numbnutz. I was merely dispelling the myth that power forwards take longer to develop. Some do some don’t, just like skill players or goalies or d men. Dude heard it from Dan Russell back in the day and he thinks it’s fucking gospel.

Jake has been ok. I just expect a bit more from a 6th overall pick drafted almost four years ago. I guess the bright side is he will be cheap to re-sign. Thing is both he and Goldy will have to clear waivers if they don’t make the squad next year. Might be an idea to have a good look at both of these guys in the next 35 games.

[Blob Mckenzie]

People love to be right! ha

But cc bro's/sista's - I think Virtanen has a golden opportunity with Pettersson, TG will likely want a scrapper/scorer with him to protect him from the NHL wolves in his rookie season.

Could bode well for Blob's favourite assassination targets Eriksson and Virtanen, Loui the scoring vet takes EP under his wing while JV does the dirty work and protects his new homie.

1st year for EP



LW: Loui Eriksson - C: Elias Pettersson - RW: Jake Virtanen this line could bloom & probably will start as the 3rd line next season.

Lol Eriksson the mentor and Jake the protector.

[SKYO]

Imagine a Morrison being distributor?? lol or 8 goals piece Bertuzzi????? lololol before they formed with nazzy.