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One of many huge storylines heading into the 2024-25 season revolves round Vancouver Canucks prime prospect Jonathan Lekkerimäki. The reigning SHL Rookie of the 12 months has made the transition to North America, and whereas he has an opportunity to start out the yr within the NHL, the 20-year-old winger will almost certainly be despatched to the AHL earlier than opening evening. Whereas expectations surrounding Lekkerimäki are excessive, beginning the season with the Abbotsford Canucks might be what’s greatest for his long-term growth.
Whereas Lekkerimäki was profitable as a 19-year-old within the SHL, scoring 19 objectives and including 12 assists in 46 video games, that does not essentially translate to computerized manufacturing on the NHL degree. Not solely will Lekkerimäki have to regulate to the North American ice floor, however he will even need to play a unique model of recreation in comparison with the SHL. That being mentioned, his quick six-game stint with Abbotsford final season was encouraging, as Lekkerimäki was in a position to generate offensive possibilities whereas additionally scoring his first profession AHL objective.
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Even when Lekkerimäki has a powerful exhibiting throughout coaching camp and the preseason, the AHL would nonetheless arguably be the very best place for him to no less than begin the season. Primarily based on the Canucks present roster, it’s laborious to image the Swedish winger getting the minutes and alternatives he wants to achieve his full potential. In distinction, if despatched to Abbotsford, Lekkerimäki would routinely be within the crew’s prime six whereas additionally getting loads of alternatives on the ability play.
On prime of further taking part in time, working with the Canucks growth employees every day is one other benefit to beginning Lekkerimäki within the AHL. There are arguably no higher lecturers for a younger Swedish ahead than Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who know what it takes to be a excessive draft choose, transfer to North America and thrive in a Canadian market. Whether or not it’s the Sedins or Manny Malhotra, who was additionally a top-ten choose, the quantity of information and expertise within the AHL ought to assist information Lekkerimäki via the ups and downs of his first professional season in North America.
Simply because Lekkerimäki begins the yr within the AHL doesn’t suggest he finishes the season with Abbotsford. An excellent instance of an analogous state of affairs is Dallas Stars Logan Stankoven, who, after 47 video games within the AHL, made the bounce to the NHL and did not play one other recreation for the Texas Stars the remainder of the yr. There may be undoubtedly a risk that this state of affairs may occur in Vancouver this season, however Lekkerimäki must present not solely that he could be productive offensively but additionally that his defensive recreation is as much as Rick Tocchet’s requirements.
In the long run, whereas the Canucks do have some intriguing prospects, they want Lekkerimäki to be a productive a part of Vancouver’s roster sooner relatively than later. Sure, the cap is predicted to develop, however with gamers like Brock Boeser, Thatcher Demko and Quinn Hughes all in want of latest contracts over the subsequent couple of years, gamers on low-cost offers or ELCs like Lekkerimäki can be essential. He additionally is taken into account one of many prime prospects within the NHL, exhibiting that it isn’t simply the Canucks who see him having a vivid future. Finally, whereas there could also be a push from the fanbase to see Lekkerimäki begin the yr within the NHL, being affected person and having him play within the AHL for no less than a part of the season can be helpful for each the participant and the group.
