SHOULD THEY STAY OR SHOULD THEY GO?
Canucks debate what to do with teen rookies
LOS ANGELES — You could call it a Canuck conundrum.
Do the Canucks send Jake Virtanen and Jared McCann to the world junior tournament? Do they send one and not the other? Or, do they keep both with the National Hockey League team?
The Canucks have about two weeks to figure it out.
Trevor Linden, Vancouver’s president of hockey operations, confirmed that Hockey Canada has talked to the Canucks about both players.
“They have contacted us about their availability,” Linden said.
He said the Canucks have until the middle of December to decide — Hockey Canada will finalize its roster Dec. 19 — and acknowledged the decision will not be easy.
“I think when it comes to the world junior we need to do what’s best for the players,” Linden said.
Virtanen played in the world juniors last year. McCann has not competed in the tournament, which this year is being staged in Finland.
McCann has found a regular spot in the Vancouver lineup and played his 24th game Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings. McCann entered that game with three goals and nine points, is plus-three and has shown good offensive instincts. He has struggled in the faceoff circle.
Virtanen, who on Monday suffered what the team is calling a minor injury, has played 19 games this season. He has struggled offensively, with just one goal and four points and is minus-three. When he has made an impact, it has been with his physical game.
Virtanen has been more of a crasher and a banger. The Canucks want to see him develop his offensive game and use the shot and power game that made him a junior star and convinced Vancouver to draft him sixth overall in 2014.
“You don’t want to lose that from him,” coach Willie Desjardins said of Virtanen’s offensive game. “I think it’s important that he is going to be able to play that type of game because you can’t lose that skill. We just don’t want him to be a guy that is a grinder and a hitter.
“We need more from him down the road. We have to make sure he stays and keeps that skill and is able to play with it at this level.”
Linden said he is not concerned about either player losing any of the NHL structure they have been learning this season should either of them head to the junior tourney.
“I would argue that the world junior is about as structured as it gets,” Linden said. “I know how Hockey Canada operates and their attention to detail is high. It is a very high-pressure tournament.
“I don’t know what we are going to do, but having the opportunity to represent your country in Europe at the world junior championship is special. Jared has never been, Jake was there last year and can play a bigger role this year if that’s the route we go. But I wouldn’t see that as a negative at all.”
Virtanen said he’s fine either way.
“It just depends on whether the coaching staff wants to keep me and Jared here,” he said. “I know that it’s always a good thing if we can go there and get some confidence and bring that confidence back. If they want to keep us, either way, I think we’ll both be happy whether or not we go or stay.”
Injuries could influence the decision. Centre Brandon Sutter is expected back soon from an abdominal injury and could force McCann out of his spot. Or Sutter could return and play wing, allowing McCann to continue at centre.
Winger Chris Higgins is out with undisclosed injury. His absence would perhaps make Virtanen less expendable.
ICE CHIPS: Hockey Canada’s 30-man selection roster for the tournament announced Tuesday includes three B.C. players: forward Mathew Barzal of Coquitlam (Seattle Thunderbirds); and defencemen Joe
Hicketts of Kamloops (Victoria Royals) and Noah Juulsen of Abbotsford (Everett Silvertips). A four-day selection camp will be held in Toronto starting Dec. 10.