Jake Virtanen

Jake Virtanen

28-Year-Old Left WingLW
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Jake Virtanen in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a professional tryout agreement with the Oilers in September of 2022.
Released from PTO
LWFree Agent
October 6, 2022
Edmonton has released Virtanen from his professional tryout agreement, according to Darren Dreger of TSN.
ANALYSIS
Virtanen is a veteran of 317 career NHL games, but didn't play in North America last season. Instead, he recorded nine goals and 16 points in 36 KHL games. In 2020-21, he had five goals and no assists in 38 contests with Vancouver.
Read More News
NHL Stats
Loading Skater Stats...
2022
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2022 NHL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2020 NHL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2019 NHL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2018 NHL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2017 NHL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2016 NHL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jake Virtanen See More
Odds & Ends: What’s Trending Week 15
April 25, 2021
Jason Chen looks for help for managers who might be without Alex Ovechkin in the fantasy playoffs in his weekly tour of the league.
NHL Barometer: Risers & Fallers
March 23, 2021
Jan Levine analyzes the risers and fallers in hockey this week, including Sidney Crosby, who has been up to the task in Pittsburgh with Evgeni Malkin sidelined.
Frozen Fantasy: Predicting Lord Stanley
March 21, 2021
Janet Eagleson lists a few players for short-term and specific use while also providing her playoff predictions.
FanDuel NHL: Monday Targets
March 15, 2021
Jason Chen makes his picks to help you build a winning FanDuel lineup Monday.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Virtanen broke out with 18 goals and 36 points in 69 contests in 2019-20. Combined with a strong physical edge (102 hits, 41 PIM), Virtanen became a viable fantasy option in deeper formats. The 24-year-old winger produced nine of his points on the power play despite averaging only 53 second per game with a man advantage. Virtanen has the ability to play on any line in the Canucks' lineup -- that can be both a gift and a curse. He's best suited for a middle-six role alongside either Bo Horvat or Adam Gaudette, which could give Virtanen a chance of duplicating last season's performance in 2020-21. Fantasy managers in deeper formats can find a home for Virtanen as a depth option.
If Virtanen could ever settle into a top-six role in Vancouver, it would do wonders for his fantasy value. Instead, he's found himself somewhat buried down the depth chart, mainly occupying a third-line role. Last year saw the 2014 sixth-overall pick notch 25 points, including 15 goals, in 70 games. The 25 points represent a career high for Virtanen, but the Canucks are certainly looking for more from the 22-year-old. If you must, target the underachieving Virtanen with a late pick, otherwise wait and see how he starts the year, and if he finds a groove, pick him up and pat yourself on the back.
Virtanen made big strides late in the 2017-18 season when he started to carry the puck a lot more, but consistency has been elusive as he navigates through an up-and-down pro career. The speedy winger finished the season with 10 goals and 20 points in 75 games and saw his average ice time creep up from 10 minutes in October to 15 in April. However, Virtanen doesn't seem to be on the cusp of making that big leap and will likely bounce around in the bottom two lines over the course of the season with the occasional shift to the top six. If Virtanen can improve his shooting, both in quality and volume, a 20-goal season isn't out of the question, but he'll need the right opportunities, making him a high-risk, medium-reward fantasy option.
Virtanen has the potential to be an impact fantasy player, but there’s a difference between potential and reality. A 2014 sixth overall pick, Virtanen only appeared in 10 games with the Canucks last season, managing one assist in limited ice time. The 6-foot-1, 229-pound winger was sent down to AHL Utica to continue developing, but he failed to turn heads there, managing just 19 points in 65 games. While it’s certainly too early to label Virtanen a bust, it’s hard to be optimistic about his future in Vancouver. Sure, the 20-year-old has shown glimpses of the power forward he’s projected to become, though he’s been too inconsistent to be a regular in Vancouver’s lineup. Virtanen will likely spend another year in Utica, where management can help determine whether an NHL career is in his future.
Virtanen made an impact in his first NHL season, racking up seven goals and 13 points in 55 games. The 6-foot-1 winger didn’t light up the scoresheet, but he turned heads with his physical play and willingness to go to the dirty areas. He’ll likely play on Vancouver’s second or third line in 2016-17, where he should definitely improve on the 13 points he managed in his rookie campaign. If he can stick on the power play and log decent minutes, the former 45-goal-scorer in the WHL could be an impactful fantasy player this season.
Coming off major shoulder surgery that limited his participation in the prospects tournament and training camp, Virtanen produced 21 goals and 52 points in 50 games with the WHL Hitmen in 2014-15. The 18-year-old got a taste of professional hockey when he was brought up to Utica for an AHL playoff run, appearing in 10 games and managing one assist. The 6-foot-1, 218-pound winger is a physical presence whenever he's on the ice and never backs down from a challenge. Not only is the promising power forward never afraid to throw his weight around, Virtanen also exhibits tremendous work ethic and world-class skating ability that allows him to blow past defenders. Virtanen, who scored 45 goals with the Hitmen in 2013-14, has a wicked release on his shot that tends to handcuff goaltenders. While it’s possible he cracks the Canucks’ roster out of training camp, it’s more likely the youngster starts the season with Utica, where there's the promise of top-six minutes and power-play time. He could ultimately slot in on Vancouver’s third or fourth line this season, but don’t expect big offensive numbers until the physical force warps his way into the Canucks’ top six. The 2014 first-round pick has a nonstop motor and is gushing with fantasy potential, so keep an eye on him in the coming years.
Virtanen, 18, was one of the younger players in the 2014 draft class, but he’s already been tabbed as the best pure goal scorer of the draft. His game is really inconsistent, but that’s part of his huge appeal -- what is he capable of if he’s already this good? He scores a lot off the rush, but he’s no Phil Kessel. And that means he needs to figure out how to use his fantastic strength to his advantage in the cycle. But his average hockey smarts will make that learning curve long and slow. He won’t create offensive chances, but he sure will finish them if given a chance, in a James Neal or Evander Kane kind of way. His development hit a snag when he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in May that will keep him out until mid-October, but it shouldn't hinder his long-term outlook. Play watch-and-wait with Virtanen until you know he’s shown he can expand his game.
More Fantasy News
Agrees to tryout
LWEdmonton Oilers  Free Agent
September 19, 2022
Virtanen secured a professional tryout agreement from Edmonton on Monday.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Signs KHL deal
LWFree Agent
September 7, 2021
Virtanen agreed to terms on a one-year contract with KHL club Spartak Moscow on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Expected to be bought out
LWVancouver Canucks  Free Agent
Not Injury Related
July 25, 2021
The Canucks placed Virtanen (indefinite leave) on unconditional waivers Sunday for the purposes of buying him out, Thomas Drance of The Athletic Vancouver reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Placed on leave due to allegations
LWVancouver Canucks  Free Agent
Not Injury Related
May 1, 2021
Virtanen has been placed on leave by the Canucks following allegations of off-ice misconduct.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Clears virus protocols
LWVancouver Canucks  Free Agent
April 20, 2021
Virtanen was activated off the NHL's COVID-19 protocols list Sunday, NHL.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Won't be with Oilers
LWFree Agent
September 15, 2022
Virtanen is no longer drawing interest from Edmonton, Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic reports Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Virtanen is looking to resume his NHL career after spending last season playing in the KHL with Moscow Spartak. In his previous stint in the NHL, the 2014 sixth-overall pick registered 55 goals and 45 assists in 317 games for the Canucks. With training camps expected to kick off in about a week, he will need to find a landing spot sooner rather than later.
See All NHL Rumors