Valk: Virtanen likely to return to Hitmen after World Juniors

According to Sportsnet’s Garry Valk, the Vancouver Canucks might be giving Jake Virtanen his fourth destination in the a little over a month. 

The idea of sending Virtanen back to Calgary isn’t a crazy one. In fact, it’s one that we promoted even when it seemed likely that he would stay with the team. He’s played less than ten minutes per game this season and isn’t exactly ripping up the score sheet, contributing just a goal and three assists over nineteen appearances. The idea that Virtanen had the physical skill set to play at the NHL level was a fair one, but so long as he’s barely stepping on the ice, it’s not good for his development.

Despite early season struggles, the Hitmen are now neck and neck for supremacy in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. This means he would immediately join the top six of a top-flight team, and have an opportunity to re-find his scoring touch that he hasn’t had the chance to use with the Canucks.

By sending him down before the 39 game mark, the Canucks still burn a year on his Entry-Level Contract, but don’t use a up a year of his restricted free agent status. This can prove better for the Canucks in the long run than if they sent him down after Game 9; he can sign his second contract before he breaks out, but still has to wait a little longer until he hits the free market.

As for McCann, Valk is merely speculating, but if the Canucks’ situation is going to get worse before it gets better, it might not be the worst idea.