The Daily: Teams Interested in Jake Virtanan; Ex-Red Wings Cholowski Will get a Shot

The Washington Capitals were among  five teams interested in free agent Jake Virtanen, although he is expected to sign a Professional Tryout Offer (PTO) with either the Edmonton Oilers or Calgary Flames.

Sometimes players accept a PTO with a team, but end up signing with another team.

Virtanen was found not guilty of sexual assault on July 26 after a trial for an incident that occurred in 2017. Sammi Silber of Washington Hockey Now details the facts of Jake Virtanen case in her story.

Now 26, Virtanen last played in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks in 2020-21. The sixth overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft, Virtanen hasn’t lived up to expectations. He has netted 55 goals in 317 NHL games. His best season production-wise was 18 goals in 2019-20. Last season, he scored nine goals in 36 games for Moscow Spartak in the Kontinental Hockey League.

If a does sign with a team, the presumption is it will be a one-year deal in the $750,000 range.  He was making $2.55 million when the Canucks let him go.

Oilers offered Jake Virtanen a PTO, but feeling is he will go elsewhere.
My take: That is for the best.
EDM has one project already in Puljujarvi. They don’t need a second one.

— Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@SportsnetSpec) September 15, 2022

In Case You Missed It

Nate Brown of Detroit Hockey Now wrote Two Truths and a Lie about Simon Edvinsson‘s arrival at the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Mich.

Why new Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde is considered a strong candidate to win the Jack Adams Award in 2022-23.

NHL Network’s ranking of Moritz Seider as the 49th best player in the league doesn’t represent his true value.

Bob Duff writes that rough-and-tumble defenseman Robert Hagg is ready for an excellent Detroit Red Wings adventure.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Is Jake DeBrusk content now to continue playing for the Bruins? Jimmy Murphy tells us what to expect from DeBrusk this season. Boston Bruins. 

Florida: Goalie J-F Berube is joining the Panthers on a PTO deal. Florida Panthers. 

Calgary: Steve McFarlane of Calgary Hockey Now writes that it would be a mistake to bring in Jake Virtanen on Professional Tryout Offer (PTO). Calgary Flames.

New York: Stefen Rosner writes that former Red Wings player Dennis Cholowski is one of the players with an opportunity to win the Islanders’ No. 6 defenseman spot. New York Islanders. 

Philadelphia: Writer Sam Carchidi’s five players to watch at the Flyers’ rookie camp includes former Minnesota-Duluth player Noah Cates. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Dave Molinari writes that the simplest solution for the Penguins’ salary cap woes may not be the best solution. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Vancouver: VHN’s Rob Simpson writes that he expects the Canucks to complete a contract extension with Bo Horvat. But it could take a while to get it done. Vancouver Canucks.