The Vancouver Canucks have reassigned prized prospect Jonathan Lekkerimäki to their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

The move comes at an intriguing juncture, as he’s just one game shy of his 25th NHL appearance this season.

According to NHL rules, playing more than 25 games in a single campaign impacts a player’s rookie eligibility for the following year. Had he suited up for two more contests, his rookie status for the 2025-26 season would be void, barring him from contention for the Calder Trophy.

For a young player like Lekkerimäki, the Calder Trophy represents a significant milestone, and it would be a shame to lose eligibility over a meaningless finish in Vancouver.

Could the organization have made the move in good faith, wanting to do right by the player and allow him to seek glory next year? Perhaps. Perhaps it’s pure coincidence.

Regardless of the intent, the youngster will likely spend the remainder of his 2024-25 season down on the farm.

The reassignment might be the best course of action for all involved.

With just five games left in their season, the Canucks’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. At the time of this writing, Moneypuck.com pegs their chances at a dismal 0.1%.

For a team effectively out of contention, keeping a prospect like Lekkerimäki in the lineup for what amounts to meaningless NHL games offers little developmental upside.

Meanwhile, a red-hot Abbotsford squad awaits in the Fraser Valley, presenting a far more compelling option for both short-term and long-term benefits.

The Abbotsford Canucks are currently the talk of North American hockey. Fresh off a weekend sweep of the AHL’s top-ranked team, they’ve surged to second place in their division and are now gunning for the top spot and a first-round playoff bye.

With plans to keep habits fresh for the playoffs, every game matters. This kind of high-stakes environment benefits a young player still adjusting to North American hockey’s pace, physicality, and general vibe.

In Abbotsford, Lekkerimäki won’t just be another skater. He’ll be a centrepiece, logging upwards of 20 minutes a night and serving as a primary offensive weapon in all critical situations.

Remarkably, despite not playing there since March 1st, he remains just four goals shy of the team lead with 19 tallies in 32 games—a scoring pace that places him among the AHL’s elite over the past two decades.

Placed in a position to succeed, he’ll look to rekindle that scoring touch after scoring just one goal on 14 shots through his recent 13-game NHL stint.

Don’t be fooled by the numbers, or lack thereof, though. His 24-game NHL tenure this season wasn’t without lessons.

The team, the fans, and Lekkerimäki himself are well aware of what he needs to refine: one-on-one battles, physical strength, and the stamina to endure the gruelling NHL schedule.

The experience gained from his promotions provides a meaningful roadmap for his summer training regimens and a chance to address weaknesses and return ready to claim a permanent roster spot—and perhaps that Calder Trophy.

His track record suggests he’s up for the challenge. After a draft-plus-one season derailed by illness and injury, he worked hard through the summer months and bounced back with a vengeance, tearing up Sweden’s SHL the following year and silencing doubters.

Of course, the NHL is a different beast, and there’s no guarantee of a repeat performance. But his resilience offers reason for optimism—he’s shown he can take setbacks in stride and emerge stronger.

For now, Abbotsford is the ideal proving ground. Lekkerimäki can hone his craft in meaningful, high-event hockey as a go-to threat in a playoff-bound lineup. An AHL championship may not carry the NHL’s cachet, but the lessons learned in pursuit of it are invaluable—experience that can’t be taught, only earned.