The Canuck Way
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Canucks: 18 things Jake Virtanen needs to do to return to the lineup

By Jacob Calvert

Vancouver Canucks (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)"n
Vancouver Canucks (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)"n /
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 29: Jake Virtanen #18 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 29, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 29: Jake Virtanen #18 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 29, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

8. Obey the bubble

The new and very popular Broadscast has chosen Virtanen as a candidate to leave the bubble out of frustration. In order for JV18 to have any chance to get back in the lineup, he will have to bubble wrap any ideas of leaving.

9. Call Alex Biega

Hard to find someone that has been a better professional when leaving the lineup than Alex Biega, Virtanen needs to learn something that Biega clearly knows.

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10. Take the initiative

Virtanen hasn’t shown initiative to improve without an external push and that could have been exactly what the exhibition scratch could have been. He needs to push himself and make improvements on his own initiative.

11. Be there for your teammates

Teamwork is key, the regular season showed that Jake didn’t have his teammates backs’, and he was looked at to provide some push back in the eyes of many fans. It never really happened. Fans don’t know what happens behind the scenes, but if what is shown on the ice is any indication, he needs to build relationships on the ice.

12. Rally behind #ShotgunJake

This city loves Jake and the team needs him at his best. Tommy isn’t getting his V8 fix if Jake doesn’t play a game.  This movement should allow Virtanen to get a boost of energy and motivation to work his gluteus maximus off.

13. Watch game film

One thing that most people know is that Jake struggles with thinking the game; watching game tape and studying his game will help him not only improve his own game but also learn how to target the Minnesota Wild’s defence.

14. Hit when he gets to play

If Jake wants to use one of his tools to best impact a playoff series, he’ll have to utilize his hitting capability, preferably choosing to focus on the most skilled player he gets matched up against. The Canucks don’t have a lot of hitting power in the lineup, and Jake can bring it when he’s on his game.

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