Jonathan Lekkerimaki spent the summer doing what every prospect hopes for — turning quiet whispers into real problems for the people making roster decisions.
Boasting a lightning one-timer and highlight-reel scoring instincts, Lekkerimaki was drafted by Vancouver with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2022 draft. This summer, the 21-year-old Swedish winger has put those skills on display, emerging as a middle-six option for the Canucks.
Lekkerimäki was a dark horse candidate to earn a roster spot entering training camp, but he has been impressive since the first day. From the early scrimmages to the final tune-ups, his shot has been as dangerous as advertised, but what’s made the difference is how much more assertive he’s become. He’s been stronger on the puck, more deliberate in traffic, and has learned how to find soft ice against NHL defenders.
In the team’s final preseason audition on Friday, he capped off an impressive stretch by generating multiple scoring chances and scoring on a pair of one-timers in a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers, earning praise for his growing poise under pressure.
“Oh, he can rip it,” Canuck Jake DeBrusk said after the game, with Sportsnet noting DeBrusk’s followup comparison of Lekkerimaki’s shot to former Boston teammate David Pastrnak’s. “He reminds me of Pasta in some ways. Just his release, right? Pasta’s got a little more flare at the end, but the way it comes off his stick. . . you guys saw it tonight.”
Jonathan Lekkerimaki Emerges as a Top-Six Option for Vancouver
Every fall, there’s at least one player who forces a front office to rethink its depth chart, and this year, Lekkerimäki might be that guy.
The Canucks entered camp with a few forward spots open, and while there’s no shortage of competition, the Swedish winger’s versatility has made him hard to overlook. He’s shown he can fit in beside skilled playmakers, but he’s also found ways to generate offense on secondary lines — a balance that gives the coaching staff options.
More than anything, he brings a scoring element Vancouver hasn’t had enough of on the wings beyond its top stars. His ability to finish off the rush or on the power play adds another layer to a team that’s been searching for complementary offense. Analysts have already started penciling him into lineup projections, arguing that his scoring upside outweighs the usual reasons to stash a young player in the minors.
Johnathan Lekkerimaki Forces Vancouver to Make Depth Chart Decisions
Of course, the Canucks aren’t in the habit of rushing prospects, and Lekkerimäki still has work to do . His defensive details remain a focus, as does maintaining consistency shift to shift. But that’s the natural progression for a 21-year-old still learning the North American game. What’s encouraging is how quickly he’s adjusted — tracking back hard, staying engaged along the boards, and earning enough trust to be used in different situations.
That growth has made the conversation around him less about “if” and more about “when.” Even if the team ultimately decides to give him a short look before a reassignment, Lekkerimäki has already proven he can hang with NHL talent. His shot plays at this level. His skating has improved. And his confidence has caught up to his skill.
If Lekkerimäki cracks the opening-night lineup , it’ll represent more than a personal milestone — it’ll be a statement about where this Canucks team is heading. Vancouver has long been cautious with its top prospects, but this camp suggests a subtle shift toward rewarding readiness and raw ability over patience for patience’s sake.
Lekkerimäki embodies that shift. He’s talented, fearless, and learning fast. Whether he opens the year in Vancouver or joins midseason, it’s becoming harder to picture the Canucks’ future without him firmly in it.
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