There’s that shot and the shots Jonathan Lekkerimäki absorbed last season.
The Vancouver Canucks’ prized prospect teased of NHL potential — especially with a quick and effortless release that packed velocity and accuracy — and his game awareness and positioning improved along with deceptive speed. The right-winger also learned travel rigours and roughness of the long AHL playoff grind demanding skill matching will and physical toughness.
Lekkerimäki was scratched for five-consecutive post-season games in the Abbotsford Canucks’ march to their first Calder Cup championship. He looked tired. He looked like he needed a re-set. He then responded by scoring early and twice in a crucial Game 4 victory over the Charlotte Checkers in the league final, including the game winner. It was another peek at his potential.
The slender sharpshooter needs a summer like none other to build on a 5-foot-11, 172-pound frame. Perspective and patience are also vital to chart his playing path. Lekkerimäki turned 21 last Thursday, and in the draft-and-develop course for the 15th selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, next season should be about heavy first-line minutes in Abbotsford.
Lekkerimäki had 28 points (19-9) in 36 AHL regular-season games last season and just seven points (3-4) in 16 playoff outings. In 24 NHL games, he was held to three goals and six points, but his playmaking and defensive diligence were more solid.
Lekkerimäki projects as a second-line NHL winger and first power play unit sniper, but the right side is jammed. Brock Boeser has a seven-year extension, while Conor Garland has a new six-year commitment. And Kiefer Sherwood, who led the Canucks in hits with a league record 462, and a career-high 19 goals and 40 points in 2024-25, has another year left on his deal.
That leaves the fourth-line spot, but it’s not where you develop Lekkerimäki in measured minutes, or to practice and occasionally play. With the Canucks in full redemption mode to return to the playoffs, the top-six mix is going to eat up big minutes at even strength and man advantage.
Lekkerimäki is waiver exempt, so he is going to see NHL games next season, but his stay will likely be short unless the Canucks run into injuries. They should let him cook in Abbotsford.
Jesper Bratt of New Jersey Devils is pressured by Canucks rookie Jonathan Lekkerimäki on March 24, 2025 in Newark, N.J.
Landon Ferraro, a former professional centre turned Sportsnet 650 analyst, was a 2009 second-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings. His first cup of recall coffee at age 22 came on a roster that included pivots Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Gustav Nyquist and Darren Helm. And he had to impress head coach Mike Babcock, even in a fourth-line role.
“It’s tough,” Ferraro told Postmedia on Monday. “Lekkerimäki and I came up in difference circumstances. I knew I was there to kill penalties, and Babcock always liked a shutdown line. It was making sure I was good defensively and being hard to play against. Anything that happened offensively was just a bonus.”
Ferraro played just a dozen NHL games for the Red Wings, Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild and managed 12 points (7-5). He also logged 354 games in the AHL and 154 in Germany, and knows travel can wear you down as much as an opponent.
Lekkerimäki played 76 games last season between the AHL and NHL, compared to 49 games in his final Swedish Hockey League season followed by seven in the World Junior championship.
“It was a year of ups and downs that he really never had to go for before,” Ferraro said of Lekkerimäki. “He’s always been a guy who’s counted on, and when he played back home (Sweden), he could work through that. Guys get to the AHL out of junior or Europe and think it’s going to be easy, but it’s a pretty hard league.
“I think the long year got to him a little bit. Then you go into playoffs and everything gets harder. It was a good learning experience. He has the skill and hockey I.Q. Even in Vancouver, he made the right decisions. It’s just about getting in there a little bit more.
“And when he came back into the playoffs in Abbotsford, he found ways to use his shot to get it off quicker. There was a willingness to throw hits on the forecheck and an anger coming back in. A good angry.”
Jonathan Lekkerimäki does first pump after game-winning shootout goal against Devils on March 24, 2025 in Newark, N.J.
Regardless, the wolves are always at the door, and speculation of the cost for the Canucks to land a supportive centre in a trade remains. Depending on stature of the pivot, the parting package could start with a roster player and prize prospect like Lekkerimäki or defenceman Tom Willander. Add high draft picks to land the big fish in Mason McTavish.
Letting Lekkerimäki cook in Abbotsford is the prudent non-trade play. Forwards Aatu Raty, Linus Karlsson and Arshdeep Bains are pushing for Canucks roster spots and no long waiver exempt.
“Lekkerimäki is going to have to do something pretty outrageous to make the team out of camp,” said Ferraro. “It’s better for him to play big (AHL) minutes and understand the travel. Be the go-to guy every game so when he does get called up he’s filled with confidence.”