The post-playoff message from Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning could not have more clear, or direct: “…Jake (Virtanen) was a guy I was expecting to do more for us…”
Benning added when a guest on Sportsnet 650 on Tuesday afternoon:
“He can skate, he’s strong. He can get to the net. He’s a guy we’re going to have to talk about here going forward. We’ve been patient with him in his development…
We’re going to have to make some tough decisions maybe even on some young players.”
Considering Canucks forward Jake Virtanen will soon become an RFA, this is a less than ideal message from the Vancouver brass heading into the Fall (Fall being the new Summer, of course). Unfortunately, that is the reality that Virtanen and the Canucks will have to chew on this offseason.
What started out as a glorious homecoming for the Abbottsford born and raised Virtanen has now morphed into uncertainty underscored by disappointment – from both parties. Of the Canucks forwards one might expect to thrive in the post-season, Virtanen would be on the top end of that list. Instead, his NHL post-season debut was average, at best. Despite the mixture of talent and determination the Canucks have up front, Virtanen was only able to muster up a three point effort (2G, 1A) during the first 16 playoff games of his career. For Virtanen, that may quickly become the ‘issue’ – the volume of talent within the Canucks forward group.
Related: Tyler Toffoli Open to Discussing Contract With Canucks
Where Does Virtanen Fit?
In no meaningful order: Brock Boeser, Bo Horvat, Elias Pettersson, J.T Miller, Tanner Pearson, and potentially Tyle Toffoli equates to a formidable top-six group of forwards. That is without considering a healthy Micheal Ferland, or a flash of the old Loui Eriksson. If Virtanen wishes to transform his game into the offensive power forward he was projected to be, it would appear his options might be limited with the Canucks.
The ironic part of this situation is that Virtanen had a career best 18 goals and 18 assists during the Covid shortened season. That obviously did not carry over into his first post-season, and it could hamper his future in Vancouver. In the best interest of both parties, perhaps the best solution is for Virtanen to find a new location and start with a clean slate.
Next: Wayne Simmonds Says He’s Looking at Leafs in Free Agency
