Virtanen was a healthy scratch for the last two games and will return to Utica, where he has no points in two games. The former No.6 overall pick (2014) has struggled in the first 65 games of his NHL career—collecting just 14 points (7G / 7A). Expect Virtanen to stay in Utica until his game gets back on track.
Jake Virtanen News
Virtanen was a healthy scratch on Monday and will be scratched again tonight in New York. The former sixth overall pick has collected just one assist while averaging 10:09 TOI in the first 10 games of the season. With Virtanen sitting and Jannik Hansen injured, Alex Burrows will again skate in the top-6.
Virtanen played just 1:45 before heading to the dressing room with an upper-body injury. The Canucks will play the second game of the back-to-back tonight, so Virtanen isn’t expected to play, despite his injury being called “minor.” Expect Sven Baertschi to be back in the lineup with Virtanen out.
Virtanen has one goal and three assists in 12 games into his rookie season, but he will be scratched tonight in Columbus. With Virtanen out, Adam Cracknell will re-enter the lineup.
Virtanen was the sixth overall pick in 2014 and after sitting in the first two games, he will draw into the lineup tonight vs. Los Angeles. Virtanen had 52 points (21G / 31A) in 52 games with the Calgary Hitmen (WHL) last season.