The Vancouver Canucks will continue to try and coax a top-six player out of young Jake Virtanen, signing him today to a two-year contract. The deal carries an average annual value of $1.25MM, giving them a chance for a real bargain if he can reach his potential. Virtanen will still be a restricted free agent at the end of the deal, but now will have even more pressure to be a full-time part of the NHL team.
Selected sixth overall in 2014, Virtanen has lagged behind the development of several of his draft contemporaries including William Nylander (8th), Nikolaj Ehlers (9th), and Dylan Larkin (15th). While those players have already made huge impacts on their NHL clubs, Virtanen has only just put in his first season without spending any time in the AHL. In 75 games during the 2017-18 season, he recorded 10 goals and 20 points a total he’ll obviously have to improve on if he’s to be part of the solution in Vancouver going forward. With other prospects like Elias Pettersson and Adam Gaudette coming quickly to take big roles on the team, Virtanen has to find a niche somewhere in the lineup where he can thrive. GM Jim Benning believes he can, releasing this statement on his young forward:
We’re pleased to sign Jake to an extension. He adds physical presence and speed to our line-up and can help create offensive chances when going hard to the net. We look forward to seeing Jake take the next step in his game and consistently contribute to the team’s success.
Virtanen, 21, could be a huge piece of a Vancouver team that has a very talented young group coming through the ranks. If he can find his game and live up to his draft status that $1.25MM will be an incredible value. If not, it will be a difficult arbitration process going forward and one that might end up with him being forced to continue his career elsewhere. For now, we’ll have to wait and see how he plays this season and if he can be the kind of power winger they were hoping for.