Virtanen had just one year left on a two-year contract that carried a $2.55M cap-hit. The buyout will save them $2.05M against the cap in 2021-22 but cost them $500K in 2022-23. Virtanen should draw interest as a UFA to help bolster a team's bottom-6 and a change of scenery could be good for the former No.6 overall pick.
It's been a struggle for Virtanen this year, the former first-round pick has just one goal in 11 games. As a result, he'll be scratched for the fourth time in six games, with Justin Bailey replacing him in the Canucks bottom-6.
Virtanen has been a healthy scratch for three of the last four games but will replace Zack MacEwen in the lineup on Thursday. Virtanen, who will likely skate on the fourth line with Jay Beagle, has one goal in 10 games this season.
There is no word on who he will replace in the lineup but the Canucks reportedly have a couple of players banged up. In addition to Virtanen, Loui Eriksson will also enter the lineup on Tuesday. The 23-year-old winger had 36 points (18G / 18A) in 69 regular-season games.
Virtanen missed the Canucks morning skate because he isn't feeling well and will be a game-time decision vs. the Senators. Even if Virtanen can't play, Antoine Roussel will make his season debut so they won't be left entirely shorthanded.
Virtanen has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but will play tonight in Nashville. Virtanen will replace Sven Baertschi and has 15 goals and 10 assists in 68 games the season.
Virtanen has been out since February 13th, missing a total of 10 games due to injury. He will be back in the lineup vs. Vegas and is expected to skate on the first line and second power-play unit.
Virtanen was scratched from the lineup on Thursday and will be moved to IR so they can call up the newly acquired Ryan Spooner on Saturday.
Virtanen left Tuesday’s practice early with back spasms but he was on the ice for Wednesday’s morning skate and is expected to play vs. the Flames. Tim Schaller is expected to be a healthy scratch.
With Virtanen leaving practice on Tuesday, Brendan Leipsic played in his spot on the power-play and Tyler Motte drew in on the third line. The former No.6 overall pick is questionable for tomorrow’s game vs. the Flames, but doesn’t carry a lot of fantasy upside thanks to a limited offensive role in the Canucks’ lineup.
