Photo Source: Hitmen TV Broadcast February 11th, 2015
By now we all know that Vancouver Canucks top prospect Jake Virtanen is a beast (physically speaking, if not on the score sheet). He runs through
players with ferocious velocity, he charges hard into the dirty areas,
and he isn’t afraid to scrum it up either. In other words, he’s Jim
Benning’s prototypical hockey player.
players with ferocious velocity, he charges hard into the dirty areas,
and he isn’t afraid to scrum it up either. In other words, he’s Jim
Benning’s prototypical hockey player.
But does Virtanen play a little too hard? Sure, Vancouver is itching
for a true hard-nosed power forward, and has been for a decade, but
there has to be a limit (as Canucks fans know all too well). Power forwards aren’t generally useful to their teams if
they’re sitting in the penalty box.
for a true hard-nosed power forward, and has been for a decade, but
there has to be a limit (as Canucks fans know all too well). Power forwards aren’t generally useful to their teams if
they’re sitting in the penalty box.
So does Virtanen have a discipline problem?
In the 2014-15 season, Virtanen played an even 50 games for the Calgary
Hitmen, and in that time he amassed 82 penalty minutes. His 1.64
PIM/game was the highest of any forward and second among his entire
team.
Hitmen, and in that time he amassed 82 penalty minutes. His 1.64
PIM/game was the highest of any forward and second among his entire
team.
This isn’t an exorbitant amount – consider that Alex Burrows has
broken the 100 PIM mark in the NHL on three separate occasions. What is a
little bit concerning though is that all 82 of the penalty minutes are
accounted for by minor penalties.
broken the 100 PIM mark in the NHL on three separate occasions. What is a
little bit concerning though is that all 82 of the penalty minutes are
accounted for by minor penalties.
The Penalties
Above all other infractions, Virtanen was tagged with Roughing most
frequently. Racking up penalties this prolifically can be a bothersome player trait, or it can be
benign, depending on the context. In seven of the 15 instances Virtanen was put in the box
for roughing, the officials assessed coincidental minor penalties. On the remaining eight roughing penalties, Virtanen caused his team to go on the penalty kill.
frequently. Racking up penalties this prolifically can be a bothersome player trait, or it can be
benign, depending on the context. In seven of the 15 instances Virtanen was put in the box
for roughing, the officials assessed coincidental minor penalties. On the remaining eight roughing penalties, Virtanen caused his team to go on the penalty kill.
Coincidental roughing calls can be overlooked – most of the bigger,
tougher, more aggressive players rack up a number of these over the
course of the season, and sending your team to 4-on-4 in not really all
that troublesome (and if you’re playing on a team with the Sedin twins, it’s actually sound strategy). However, some of these coincidental roughing calls are
incidents in which he took a penalty in a scrum after an opponent took
an initial penalty. It’s nice to stick up for your teammates, but in
these cases, Virtanen eliminated a potential power play. That’s not
particularly useful, and in fact costs your team a fifth of a goal for every time it occurs.
tougher, more aggressive players rack up a number of these over the
course of the season, and sending your team to 4-on-4 in not really all
that troublesome (and if you’re playing on a team with the Sedin twins, it’s actually sound strategy). However, some of these coincidental roughing calls are
incidents in which he took a penalty in a scrum after an opponent took
an initial penalty. It’s nice to stick up for your teammates, but in
these cases, Virtanen eliminated a potential power play. That’s not
particularly useful, and in fact costs your team a fifth of a goal for every time it occurs.
The solo roughing calls are even more useless, although sometimes they weren’t necessarily earned.
An example of a very liberal interpretation of the roughing infraction.
Among all Canucks prospects last season, only 5 skaters recorded more
penalty minutes than Virtanen. 4 of those prospects played at least 16 more games
than Virtanen, and subsequently each of their PIM/GP numbers were
actually lower than Virtanen’s. The exception in this group was Cole
Cassels, who tallied 100 penalty minutes in 54 games, for a PIM/GP of
1.85. Cassels however racked up a number of penalty minutes through
majors, including 3 fights and checking to the head.
penalty minutes than Virtanen. 4 of those prospects played at least 16 more games
than Virtanen, and subsequently each of their PIM/GP numbers were
actually lower than Virtanen’s. The exception in this group was Cole
Cassels, who tallied 100 penalty minutes in 54 games, for a PIM/GP of
1.85. Cassels however racked up a number of penalty minutes through
majors, including 3 fights and checking to the head.
(Source OneCanuck)
Prior to the 2014 season, Jason Robertson, the Calgary Hitmen season ticket
holder formerly known as @Doogie2K on Twitter, mentioned this in a scouting report he gave on Virtanen:
holder formerly known as @Doogie2K on Twitter, mentioned this in a scouting report he gave on Virtanen:
The other, more glaring issue, is discipline. While he’s come along
greatly since his rookie season, when he seemed to take a bad penalty
every other game, there are still times when he’ll make a bad decision
and you’ll wonder where the heck his head was at. The example of this
that springs to mind comes from the last game of the regular season
against Kootenay. With the score 4-1 midway through the third period,
Virtanen engaged in a pointless scrap with Ice defender Rinat Valiev,
and left the ice favouring his hand. At the time I was concerned that
he’d busted his hand on Valiev’s helmet; while he returned for the
playoffs, it was revealed afterward that he’d suffered a shoulder
injury. It’s not clear whether that fight was the cause, or if it
aggravated a pre-existing injury, or whether it’s down to a nasty hit he
took at the turnbuckle in Game 3. Whatever the case, it was an
obviously poor decision: he’s far more useful to the Hitmen scoring
goals than throwing hands. – May 2014
It seems that someone else may have brought this to Virtanen’s
attention, as he had no fights during the 2014-15 season. He is
perfectly capable of dropping the gloves, doing so far 4 times in the
2013-14 season, according to Hockey Fights, and doing quite a good job of it.
attention, as he had no fights during the 2014-15 season. He is
perfectly capable of dropping the gloves, doing so far 4 times in the
2013-14 season, according to Hockey Fights, and doing quite a good job of it.
To Robertson’s point though, that isn’t really what he should be using
his hands for. Players injuring themselves in a fight when their job is to score goals is particularly frustrating, right Connor McDavid?
his hands for. Players injuring themselves in a fight when their job is to score goals is particularly frustrating, right Connor McDavid?
Potential Explanations
There are a couple of reasons why Virtanen takes penalties
with such frequency. The first is that he’s a bit of a ruffian. He likes
to get involved and muck things up, be hard to play against and punish
opponents, and this is an aspect of his game that he is proud of. This type of hard nosed hockey is frequently met with
approval from the fans and disapproval from the officials.
with such frequency. The first is that he’s a bit of a ruffian. He likes
to get involved and muck things up, be hard to play against and punish
opponents, and this is an aspect of his game that he is proud of. This type of hard nosed hockey is frequently met with
approval from the fans and disapproval from the officials.
Secondly, as a young player, Virtanen may not be as concerned about
taking penalties as he is about making an impression. In addition to
this, it doesn’t appear that he received too much negative
reinforcement. During the regular season, of his 41 minor penalties, 27
led to powerplays for Calgary’s opponents, though they were scored on
just 3 times during these kills. This means that Calgary killed
penalties at a rate of 88.9% after Virtanen put them a man down. This is
a step up from the 82.6% penalty kill rate the Hitmen finished the season with,
which happened to be 3rd in the WHL. They also scored an impressive 16
short handed goals, second best in the Dub. On the whole, the team did
not seem to be afraid of taking penalties at all, as they were short
handed 305 times – tied for 4th most. Between a confident penalty
killing squad and a general lack of repercussions following unnecessary
penalties, their didn’t seem to be much motivation for players –
particularly star players – to clean up their act.
taking penalties as he is about making an impression. In addition to
this, it doesn’t appear that he received too much negative
reinforcement. During the regular season, of his 41 minor penalties, 27
led to powerplays for Calgary’s opponents, though they were scored on
just 3 times during these kills. This means that Calgary killed
penalties at a rate of 88.9% after Virtanen put them a man down. This is
a step up from the 82.6% penalty kill rate the Hitmen finished the season with,
which happened to be 3rd in the WHL. They also scored an impressive 16
short handed goals, second best in the Dub. On the whole, the team did
not seem to be afraid of taking penalties at all, as they were short
handed 305 times – tied for 4th most. Between a confident penalty
killing squad and a general lack of repercussions following unnecessary
penalties, their didn’t seem to be much motivation for players –
particularly star players – to clean up their act.
There also exists the possibility that Virtanen is just playing a
style beyond his age. The CHL is a different game than the NHL – the
criteria for certain penalties may be a little broader with younger
players. That is to say that a roughing penalty in the CHL may be
acceptable at the NHL level, and a boarding penalty (an infraction with a
broad and relatively subjective set of criteria) may just be a hard but
unpunished hit. The difference in strength between Virtanen and his
peers often means that a simple shove from Virtanen will send opponents
flying into the boards – a problem he may not necessarily have when
bumping into heavier, stronger competition. In some instances, roughing
calls like the one above may be given out on plays that would never
incur such a call at higher levels.
style beyond his age. The CHL is a different game than the NHL – the
criteria for certain penalties may be a little broader with younger
players. That is to say that a roughing penalty in the CHL may be
acceptable at the NHL level, and a boarding penalty (an infraction with a
broad and relatively subjective set of criteria) may just be a hard but
unpunished hit. The difference in strength between Virtanen and his
peers often means that a simple shove from Virtanen will send opponents
flying into the boards – a problem he may not necessarily have when
bumping into heavier, stronger competition. In some instances, roughing
calls like the one above may be given out on plays that would never
incur such a call at higher levels.
The shenanigans didn’t stop for the big winger in the WHL playoffs as
he racked up 28 penalties in minutes in 14 games. That includes 8 in a single game
in the second round against Medicine Hat (Willie Desjardins won’t like that), 3
of which led to power-play opportunities for his opponent. Additionally, he was
suspended for a hit to the head that took place 2 games later.
he racked up 28 penalties in minutes in 14 games. That includes 8 in a single game
in the second round against Medicine Hat (Willie Desjardins won’t like that), 3
of which led to power-play opportunities for his opponent. Additionally, he was
suspended for a hit to the head that took place 2 games later.
During his brief stint with the Comets during the Calder Cup
playoffs, Virtanen managed to stay a little more disciplined, counting
just 3 minor penalties in 10 games, though he was up to his usual
hijinks: boarding and coincidental roughing accounted for 2 of those 3
penalties. However, with highlights of him laying out his opponents and
scrumming it up left and right being frequently distributed amongst
Canucks and Comets fans, it begs the question of whether his “discipline
problems” were related to the league he was playing in. Many things
that he was penalized for in the WHL may well have been let go at the
pro level.
playoffs, Virtanen managed to stay a little more disciplined, counting
just 3 minor penalties in 10 games, though he was up to his usual
hijinks: boarding and coincidental roughing accounted for 2 of those 3
penalties. However, with highlights of him laying out his opponents and
scrumming it up left and right being frequently distributed amongst
Canucks and Comets fans, it begs the question of whether his “discipline
problems” were related to the league he was playing in. Many things
that he was penalized for in the WHL may well have been let go at the
pro level.
Cutting Down the PIMs
In Alex Burrows’ most penalized year, he was tagged for 179 minutes in
penalties, although 60 of those were misconducts and 35 were majors,
leaving just 84 PIMs due to minor penalties in 82 games.
penalties, although 60 of those were misconducts and 35 were majors,
leaving just 84 PIMs due to minor penalties in 82 games.
Alex Burrows Penalty Distribution 2007-08
(Source NHL.com)
Like Virtanen, Burrows collected a large amount of roughing penalties
for jostling after the whistle. As a bottom six grinder, that was of
course his job. Removing these roughing penalties from the equation
brings his penalty minutes total down to a pedestrian 46. As Burrows
transitioned from a supporting role to a top line finisher, it was
important for him to spend less time in the sin bin.
for jostling after the whistle. As a bottom six grinder, that was of
course his job. Removing these roughing penalties from the equation
brings his penalty minutes total down to a pedestrian 46. As Burrows
transitioned from a supporting role to a top line finisher, it was
important for him to spend less time in the sin bin.
To this point, Virtanen has been trying to balance both, being an
important point producer for the Hitmen while also being a bit of a
pugilist. Unfortunately, it can be a little tricky to do both at the
same time, since the penalty box is an awfully difficult place to score
from. Throughout his junior career, his penalty minutes per game have
stayed relatively high, and at some points increases in penalties taken has corresponded with a drop in production:
important point producer for the Hitmen while also being a bit of a
pugilist. Unfortunately, it can be a little tricky to do both at the
same time, since the penalty box is an awfully difficult place to score
from. Throughout his junior career, his penalty minutes per game have
stayed relatively high, and at some points increases in penalties taken has corresponded with a drop in production:
Back to the Canucks, in the seasons following Mike Gillis’ hiring, the organization began
to preach a “between the whistles” approach, an idea that was imparted
on Burrows and Kesler in particular. Their point totals responded in
kind.
to preach a “between the whistles” approach, an idea that was imparted
on Burrows and Kesler in particular. Their point totals responded in
kind.
Given the amount of time that Virtanen spends in the box due to non-coincidental roughing penalties, it is likely that he may need a similar talking to. Burrows provides an example that high penalty minutes and high point production don’t often go hand in hand, and Virtanen would do well to learn this early on in his NHL career.
He will also need to learn when the time is right to fight back, and
when to skate away, especially if the opponent has already taken a
penalty. Derek Dorsett showed this sort of restraint against Michael
Ferland in the Canucks playoff series against the Flames (see video below), duping the
rookie Ferland into taking a penalty – though he unfortunately forgot
his restraint just a couple games later as Ferland turned the tables.
Hopefully Dorsett, the culture-carrying shoulder-rubber himself, can
impart the discipline he showed in the first run in with Ferland, rather
than the second.
when to skate away, especially if the opponent has already taken a
penalty. Derek Dorsett showed this sort of restraint against Michael
Ferland in the Canucks playoff series against the Flames (see video below), duping the
rookie Ferland into taking a penalty – though he unfortunately forgot
his restraint just a couple games later as Ferland turned the tables.
Hopefully Dorsett, the culture-carrying shoulder-rubber himself, can
impart the discipline he showed in the first run in with Ferland, rather
than the second.
Dorsett draws a penalty as rookie Ferland sheds his gloves prematurely.
It’s possible that Virtanen has shown a bit of growth already. Though
he went from 1.64 PIM/GP in the regular season to 2.00 PIM/GP in the
playoffs, none of his 4 post-season roughing penalties were
non-coincidental. Furthermore, in the AHL playoffs, his only roughing
call was coincidental and his PIM/GP was reduced to 0.60.
he went from 1.64 PIM/GP in the regular season to 2.00 PIM/GP in the
playoffs, none of his 4 post-season roughing penalties were
non-coincidental. Furthermore, in the AHL playoffs, his only roughing
call was coincidental and his PIM/GP was reduced to 0.60.
The Bottom Line
The simple answer is yes, Virtanen will need to work on being more disciplined. I don’t see this a major issue at this point though, and I’d imagine Canucks brass doesn’t either.
It seems that Virtanen’s large
number of penalties is the result of a correlation of forces, rather than any inability to control his aggression. Playing in a league against larger
opponents who don’t go flying every time he extends his arms will
naturally reduce some of his penalties, I’d think, as will the more conservative
whistle blowing of a professional official.
number of penalties is the result of a correlation of forces, rather than any inability to control his aggression. Playing in a league against larger
opponents who don’t go flying every time he extends his arms will
naturally reduce some of his penalties, I’d think, as will the more conservative
whistle blowing of a professional official.
Even when these types of iffy calls are stripped away, there are still plays that Virtanen
himself is solely responsible for: late hits, obstruction infractions
and so on. These he will have to clean up on his own.
himself is solely responsible for: late hits, obstruction infractions
and so on. These he will have to clean up on his own.
Undoubtedly there are some aspects that Virtanen needs to work on
with regard to restraint and discipline. Like any 19-year-old, he’ll become better at his job with experience and maturity.
with regard to restraint and discipline. Like any 19-year-old, he’ll become better at his job with experience and maturity.
Until then we’ll have to wait
for him to get a taste of NHL action to see if he follows the patterns
of previous seasons. If
Virtanen is going to play for the Canucks next season, and it certainly
looks like he might get a shot, he’ll need to find the line between playing
with an edge and going right over it. Spending 82 minutes in the
penalty box might fly in junior where he was a star, but NHL coaches
will not appreciate a young player and probable fourth-liner if that player’s most consistent contribution is
putting his team down a man.
for him to get a taste of NHL action to see if he follows the patterns
of previous seasons. If
Virtanen is going to play for the Canucks next season, and it certainly
looks like he might get a shot, he’ll need to find the line between playing
with an edge and going right over it. Spending 82 minutes in the
penalty box might fly in junior where he was a star, but NHL coaches
will not appreciate a young player and probable fourth-liner if that player’s most consistent contribution is
putting his team down a man.
