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Canucks re-sign Jake Virtanen to solid value on a two-year contract

After re-signing Troy Stecher last week, Jim Benning and the Canucks had just one order of business left before taking some time off this summer: re-signing Jake Virtanen.
Jake Virtanen of the Vancouver Canucks looks for a pass.

After re-signing Troy Stecher last week, Jim Benning and the Canucks had just one order of business left before taking some time off this summer: re-signing Jake Virtanen.

With no arbitration rights, Virtanen didn’t have much in the way of leverage in his contract negotiations, so a new contract at a fair value for the Canucks was inevitable. On Wednesday, the inevitable occurred: the Canucks announced a new, two-year contract for Virtanen with an average annual value (AAV) of $1.25 million.

The contract falls right in line with similar recent deals, such as his fellow first round pick from 2014, Jared McCann. The former Canuck and current Florida Panther re-signed earlier in July for the same AAV and term as Virtanen: two years, $1.25 million.

Virtanen and McCann have performed fairly similarly thus far in their careers. Virtanen has averaged 0.12 goals per game and 0.24 points per game, while McCann has averaged 0.11 and 0.32. McCann had a strong 2017-18 season, putting up 9 goals and 28 points in 68 games compared to Virtanen’s 10 goals and 20 points in 75 games, but they’re still at a similar point in their careers: both have a lot to prove.

For Virtanen, this season represents a big opportunity: the Canucks need offence and, with the Sedins retiring and free agency just adding to the bottom-six, that offence will have to come from the youth. That could include Virtanen.

Virtanen’s opportunity could depend on what the Canucks decide to do with Sam Gagner and Loui Eriksson, who will likely compete for top-six ice time with the kids. It will also depend on Elias Pettersson. In an ideal world, Pettersson would be ready to play centre right from puck drop, Jonathan Dahlen would lineup on his left wing, and Virtanen would ride shotgun on his right.

We do not live in an ideal world, however, and Pettersson will probably start the season on right wing, providing further competition for Virtanen.

That most likely means that Virtanen will start the season on the third line, which could result in a much more defensive role. Virtanen has a decent two-way game and should be able to handle himself in that role. In fact, it would show growth in his game along with growing trust from his head coach, Travis Green, but it could limit his offensive potential. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a similar season out of Virtanen to 2017-18: 10-15 goals and 20-30 points.

That wouldn’t be the worst thing for Virtanen — it’s how a lot of players comparable to Virtanen performed at the age of 22 — but it might disappoint some Canucks fans.

That’s why a two-year deal makes sense for Virtanen. He might not have a breakout season in the first year of his deal, but he should be able to prove himself in some way in his second year. By the end of his two-year deal, Virtanen will be about to turn 24 and will still be a restricted free agent.

The Canucks are hoping that Virtanen will become (or at least start to become) the power forward they believe he can be by the time they need to sign him to a new deal. At that point, Virtanen could cash in and the Canucks will only be too happy to oblige.