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Vancouver Canucks Jake Virtanen: NHL vs. AHL in 2016-17

By Janik Beichler

Apr 7, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks right wing Jake Virtanen (18) during the face off against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks right wing Jake Virtanen (18) during the face off against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks right wing Jake Virtanen (18) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Outlook

So what will happen?

A lot depends on the Canucks’ success in free agency that starts today. If they pick up at least one right winger, Virtanen is probably down in the AHL. The new winger(s), Hansen, Derek Dorsett and one of Alex Burrows and Emerson Etem should have better chances at a spot in the lineup, given their contracts. That is at least my hope. Rotating Virtanen in and out of the lineup for Etem and/or Dorsett, like it happened last season, would only hurt Virtanen’s development.

That said, I would argue that Virtanen is a better player than Dorsett, Etem and even Burrows. Without a free-agent addition on the right wing, Virtanen would be the No. 2 behind Jannik Hansen and should get that spot in the lineup as well. It just probably won’t happen.

As much as I believe Virtanen would be an important part of Vancouver’s bottom six, I hope things don’t shake out that way. What he needs now is confidence, and the only way he can get that is through ice time and scoring goals — whether that happens in the AHL or NHL.

There is no guarantee that Virtanen would score a lot of goals in Utica, but his chances would probably increase on an AHL top line instead of an NHL fourth line.

Next: Goalies of the Future: Demko vs. Garteig

If Virtanen has a strong training camp and secures a spot in the middle six, I am happy with that. But if it’s fourth line or AHL when the season is about to start, I definitely vote AHL. Let him gain confidence, be a leader and come back as the first injury call up.

Perfect scenario.

*All advanced stats via CORSICA Hockey

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