Heading into the 2025-26 season, it seems that Jonathan Lekkerimäki will most likely start in Abbotsford. This may not be where Vancouver Canucks fans had hoped the former 2022 15th overall pick would be at this point in his career, but being just 21 years old, it’s still not time to hit the panic button on Lekkerimäki’s potential as a future top-six winger.

Though it’s expected that Lekkerimäki will begin the year in the AHL, we can assume he will earn some opportunities to play up in the NHL next year, much like he did last season. The biggest thing to hope for is that he can have a big impact in Abbotsford and play more consistently from game to game. Last season, the young Swede showed flashes of excellence with multiple scoring streaks throughout the year. But like any young player, he had some droughts where he was held pointless for multiple games.

Heading into this year, the goal for Lekkerimäki should be to limit the stretches where he struggles to score and, when given the opportunity to play with the big club, show more consistency shift to shift.

Playing alongside the likes of Arshdeep Bains, Linus Karlsson, Max Sasson and Nils Åman, depending on who makes the Vancouver Canucks, will give Lekkerimäki some great opportunities to play with high-end AHL players and continue his development for another season.

When it comes to getting the call-up to Vancouver for himself, getting quality minutes in the team’s middle six and mixing in some power play time here and there would be ideal for his development. Continuing to take a step forward before hopefully becoming a full-time NHLer in the near future.

Exceeding expectations for Jonathan Lekkerimäki

Is it unfair to even discuss the possibility of Lekkerimäki making the team out of camp?

Maybe a little. That being said, this would certainly exceed expectations.

Now, that’s not saying he’s going to jump into the NHL and put up nearly a point per game, win the Calder Trophy and be an impact player in the Canucks top six. But the chances of Lekkerimäki getting a look in the team’s middle six aren’t out of the question.

If Lekkerimäki can make the opening night roster and keep his spot in the lineup, this would be a good sign of a better season than what was expected. Assuming in this case that he’s able to play a full season in Vancouver, scoring somewhere between 15-20 goals and somewhere around 35-40 points would be a very successful first season for the 21-year-old.

Playing consistent third-line minutes, being able to jump up into that top six when needed and potentially earning some power play time would be a great step and would be another sign of exceeding expectations.

Meeting expectations for Jonathan Lekkerimäki

Now, a more realistic season for Lekkerimäki would be to start the year in Abbotsford. The expectation currently is that he will do so, but will get some opportunities with Vancouver. It’s hard to predict or set an expectation for point totals throughout the stints he may see in the NHL. But based on his 24 games and six points last season, the biggest thing to expect would be improvement off those numbers.

Assuming he plays around that 24-game mark once again, scoring six goals (one every four games) while adding four assists for a nice round number of 10 points would be a fair number to reach for.

The biggest thing to expect from Lekkerimäki is being more consistent at the AHL level, producing at a point-per-game level and leading the way in goal scoring on the Abbotsford team. Additionally, having a prominent role on the team’s power play would be a very satisfactory season for the Canucks’ top forward prospect.

Showing consistency in the AHL and continuing to show flashes of potential and growth in the big leagues is the key to meeting expectations this season.

Below expectations for Jonathan Lekkerimäki

Below expectations would be Lekkerimäki not being able to improve on last season. If he were to struggle at the start of the year in Abbotsford, that would likely diminish his chances of getting called up to the NHL, which wouldn’t be ideal for the young prospect who is on the fringe of making the NHL roster.

It would be a big surprise if he weren’t able to produce at the AHL level, but a good start to the year will be key to gaining confidence for the rest of the season.

Overall, a lack of consistent production in Abbotsford would be considered a disappointing year. Lekkerimäki is expected to be among the top scorers on the AHL team, so if he isn’t in the mix this season, that would be him falling short of expectations.

If he weren’t to get many games in the NHL, this could also be a bit of a disappointment. However, he should be one of the first call-ups if injuries to the Vancouver roster occur, as long as his play in Abbotsford is strong.

The goal for this year is to impress at the AHL level and, when given his chances in the NHL, make the most of it.

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