Playoffs are always the prime proving ground.
It’s where the evaluation process heightens amid expectations to elevate games to the next level. It’s a rite of passage to the NHL.
The Vancouver Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford opens its best-of-five Pacific Division final against the Colorado Eagles on Friday on home ice. It has never advanced that far and a strong team game emphasizing will and skill will be imperative to move on to the Western Conference final.
That’s where it will get interesting. How Linus Karlsson and Jonathan Lekkerimaki perform in the series will be another indication of what could await next fall in Vancouver with more regular NHL employment.
And if injured centre Aatu Raty returns Friday, the trio knows exposure to Vancouver Canucks assistant coach Adam Foote this season was vital. He became Vancouver’s bench boss Wednesday to replace Rick Tocchet, who’s bound for Philadelphia. And like Tocchet, there will be a demand to be dialed in on the details.
The Abbotsford hopefuls aren’t a cure for what ails the parent Canucks — a 23rd-ranked offence at 2.84 goals per outing — but project to play vital support roles. And in Lekkerimaki, there’s untapped offensive potential.
Here’s a look at how they project next fall:
Goalie Ilya Sorokin of the Islanders denies Canucks winger Linus Karlsson during a March 26 meeting in Elmont, N.Y.
Linus Karlsson
Karlsson, 25, knows what it takes to play and stay in the NHL. Abbotsford head coach Manny Malhotra has pushed the Swede to lead and his five points (3-2) in seven AHL playoff games are a good sign.
He has scored 70 goals in 170 AHL regular-season games, including 23 in 32 outings this season, but the list of gunners who pile up 30 goals in the AHL but can’t pull the trigger in the bigs is long and legendary.
And those who make the leap must tailor their games and, to his credit, Karlsson has done the work. He has the pace and can make plays. Consistency is now the challenge.
The winger had three goals in 23 NHL games this season and is at a career crossroads. He signed a one-year, US$775,000 extension on March 14, but isn’t waiver-exempt next season and becomes a restricted free agent with arbitration rights when the deal expires. He knows the challenge.
“Good with details around the net, tips and finding the soft areas. That’s were I will grow the most,” Karlsson told Postmedia News. “Every game I’ve been up here (NHL) is like a playoff game. I have to bring something. Make sure I’m on guys, set screens and be good defensively.
“I’m not the most skilled guy and just trying to find my role.”
Rookie Canucks right-winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki unloads a heavy shot against the Kings at Rogers Arena on Jan. 16.
Jonathan Lekkerimaki
A lasting image this season was Lekkerimaki’s surprising pre-shootout stick twirl in New Jersey on March 24.
It was rare bravado from the soft-spoken winger. His first NHL skills show release in the fourth round of the shootout did the talking to seal a 4-3 win and confirmed that his shot is legit and confidence is high. And for Lekkerimaki, 20, that will be his ticket because it’s one element you can’t teach.
The return of goalie Thatcher Demko after a 15-game injury absence was the story to keep his club in that game, but Lekkerimaki was the curiosity. He had two shots and five attempts in 9:52 of playing time.
“Works hard and wants to get better,” noted Demko. “A willingness to compete and listen. He’s going to be a real good player.”
Lekkerimaki had 19 goals in 36 AHL regular-season games this season, but has been quiet in the AHL post-season with an assist in four games. He missed three games with complications from dental surgery.
Tocchet had quite the response in mid-March when the media was pushing for Lekkerimaki to get more power-play time. He finished with six points (3-3) in 24 NHL games.
“Lekkerimaki is not the answer, but he will be eventually,” said Tocchet of the power play. “When he got the puck he was nice and relaxed. That’s his gift. His hands. We have to work with him. He can be even more deceptive and I’d like to see him take a few more rips with it.”
Canucks centre Aatu Raty celebrates his goal against the Islanders at UBS Arena on March 26 in Elmont, N.Y.
Aatu Raty
In the quest to add centre support for Elias Pettersson and Filip Chytil, the feisty Finn could be a fourth-line fixture next fall.
Raty, 22, has size to frustrate on the forecheck, and his faceoff presence of 57.4 per cent in 33 NHL games this season to lead the club, are attractive attributes. His foot speed could be better, but the restricted free agent has potential to improve on 11 points (4-7) after piling up 40 (17-23) in 43 AHL games. He has added three assists in five playoff games.
Raty looked good between Dakota Joshua and Kiefer Sherwood in the drive toward a wild-card playoff spot. He looked quicker, more engaged, and a spurt of five goals in eight games didn’t go unnoticed. He needs to build on that because he’s not waiver-exempt next season.
“Being in the lineup is something I never take for granted,” Raty told Postmedia. “You always want to be the player who is playing if you have the lead or trying to get a goal at the end.”