Edmonton has released Virtanen from his professional tryout agreement, according to Darren Dreger of TSN.
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.
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Oilers' Jake Virtanen: Agrees to tryout
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Virtanen secured a professional tryout agreement from Edmonton on Monday.
Despite previous reports to the contrary, it seems Virtanen and the Oilers were able to come to an agreement on a tryout before training camps kick off. Whether Virtanen can secure a permanent deal is far from guaranteed and he may have to accept a two-way contract that would likely involve some time in the minors. Still, he has 317 games of NHL experience in which he has racked up 100 points, including 55 goals, and should offer some offensive upside if he makes the Opening Night roster.
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Jake Virtanen: Signs KHL deal
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Virtanen agreed to terms on a one-year contract with KHL club Spartak Moscow on Tuesday.
Since being selected by Vancouver with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, Virtanen spent the past six seasons playing for the club in which he tallied 100 points in 317 contests. At just 25 years of age, this may not be the last we've seen of Virtanen in the NHL, especially if he can put together a solid season playing in the KHL.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Expected to be bought out
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The Canucks placed Virtanen (indefinite leave) on unconditional waivers Sunday for the purposes of buying him out, Thomas Drance of The Athletic Vancouver reports.
Once Virtanen clears waivers, he will be bought out by the Canucks. The 24-year-old had one more season remaining on his deal. Virtanen had just five goals in 38 games this past season and was eventually placed on indefinite leave after being accused of sexual assault allegations, causing him to miss the final 12 games of the year.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Placed on leave due to allegations
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Virtanen has been placed on leave by the Canucks following allegations of off-ice misconduct.
Per Glacier Media, the allegations pertain to sexual misconduct that reportedly occurred in 2017. For now, Virtanen will be on leave for what sounds like an indefinite period while the appropriate investigations take place. The odds of Vancouver making the playoffs are near-nonexistent, so it's safe to assume Virtanen's season is likely over.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Clears virus protocols
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Virtanen was activated off the NHL's COVID-19 protocols list Sunday, NHL.com reports.
Virtanen is expected to skate on Vancouver's third line and second power-play unit Tuesday against Toronto. He's picked up four goals through 32 games this campaign.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Shifts to protocol
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Virtanen was placed in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol Tuesday, Ben Kuzma of The Vancouver Province reports.
The Canucks have 18 players in COVID-19 protocol, and their games have been paused through the weekend. The 24-year-old Virtanen has posted four goals and no assists through 32 games this year.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Dealing with sickness
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Virtanen missed Tuesday's practice with a non-COVID-19 illness.
Virtanen will be tested accordingly, and it's uncertain whether he'll be available for Wednesday's game against the Flames. The team will likely re-evaluate Virtanen in the morning before making a final decision. The 24-year-old has recorded four points through 34 games this year.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Ends offensive dry spell
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Virtanen scored a goal on his only shot and had two blocks in Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss to Montreal.
Virtanen recorded his first point in the last eight games when he one-timed a J.T. Miller feed past Carey Price, squaring the game at 1-1 just 22 seconds into the second period. After a promising 18-goal, 36-point campaign in 2019-20, Virtanen has followed up with four goals and no assists in 30 games this season.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Lights lamp twice
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Virtanen scored a pair of goals, including one on the power play, in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs.
This was easily Virtanen's best game of the season -- it's just the second time he's gotten on the scoresheet. With Elias Pettersson (upper body) out, J.T. Miller shifted to center and Virtanen got a chance to play on the top line. The 24-year-old Virtanen has just three goals to go with 33 shots on net, 47 hits and 26 PIM through 22 appearances. His best chance of staying in top six once Pettersson returns is to outperform rookie winger Nils Hoglander.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Stuggling to score
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Virtanen has just one point through 21 contests.
Virtanen recorded 18 goals and 18 assists in 2019-20, both career highs. It was looking like the 24-year-old was starting to fulfill his lofty draft stock. However, 2021 has proven to be the opposite, as Virtanen's offense has completely dropped off. As a result, his average ice time has dropped from last year's 13:05 to 11:21.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Healthy scratch again Tuesday
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Virtanen is a healthy scratch Tuesday against Montreal, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports.
Virtanen got into the lineup Monday in Montreal after sitting out the previous two as a healthy scratch, and it appears he didn't do enough against the Canadiens to get the nod against them again Tuesday. Adam Gaudette will take Virtanen's spot on the third line next to Brandon Sutter and Antoine Roussel.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Healthy scratched
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Virtanen has been a healthy scratch the past two games.
Virtanen started the season in the top six but quickly fell down the lineup. With only one goal in nine appearances, the 24-year-old will need to bring more to the table on a consistent basis to earn more ice time going forward.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Opens scoring in loss
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Virtanen scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Flames.
Virtanen's point shot deflected in off of Flames blueliner Juuso Valimaki to give the Canucks a 1-0 lead. While he was listed in the top line, Virtanen's 9:23 of ice time was lowest among Canucks forwards. The 24-year-old has mostly been a bottom-six player throughout his career, and the return of J.T. Miller from COVID-19 protocols could result in Virtanen's return to the third line. In four games, Virtanen has just one goal, eight shots and five hits.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Inks two-year extension
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Virtanen signed a two-year, $5.1 million contract with the Canucks on Thursday, Greg Wyshynski of ESPN.com reports.
Virtanen had his best season yet as a pro in 2019-20, setting career highs in goals (18), assists (18) and power-play points (9) while skating in a bottom-six role with the Canucks. The 24-year-old winger will likely put up similar numbers in 2020-21, so he won't be a useful fantasy option in most formats.
Virtanen scored a goal in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Golden Knights in Game 6.
Virtanen tallied at 2:50 of the first period, and Thatcher Demko posted a 48-save shutout to make it stand. The Canucks added three more goals in the third period to stretch the lead. Virtanen also took a hard hit from Brayden McNabb late in the third period, but he was able to stay on the bench. After the game, Virtanen said he was just winded, per Farhan Lalji of TSN reports. Through 15 games, Virtanen has three points, 15 shots on net and 35 hits, mostly playing in a bottom-six role.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: One of each in win
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Virtanen scored a goal and added an assist in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Blues in Game 5.
Virtanen started on the fourth line, but saw most of his time with J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson in the contest. That trio combined for two goals and six points. Virtanen hasn't been much of a force on offense -- these were his first two points in eight postseason outings. The 24-year-old winger has racked up 21 PIM, 13 hits and a plus-1 rating.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Returning Tuesday
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Virtanen (undisclosed) is expected to return to the lineup for Tuesday's Game 2 versus the Wild, Rick Dhaliwal of TSN 1040 Vancouver reports.
Virtanen missed two games with the injury, but appears set to return to action Tuesday. Virtanen had a career-high 36 points in 69 contests during the regular season. It's unclear who will come out of the lineup to make room for the 23-year-old winger, but head coach Travis Green indicated there are some minor bumps among some of his players.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Out Sunday
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Virtanen (undisclosed) is listed as a scratch for Sunday's contest against the Wild, Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650 reports.
Virtanen also missed an exhibition game last Wednesday, but it's unclear why he's out. Until an update is available, he's considered day-to-day ahead of Tuesday's tilt with Minnesota.
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Canucks' Jake Virtanen: Sits out exhibition game
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Virtanen (undisclosed) isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's exhibition game against the Jets, Irfaan Gaffar reports.
It isn't clear why Virtanen isn't dressing Wednesday, but there's not yet any reason to be concerned that he might miss Saturday's tilt versus Minnesota. During the regular season, Virtanen managed 36 points in 69 games.
