After months of speculation and roster predictions, the Vancouver Canucks made it official: Jonathan Lekkerimäki will begin the season with the Abbotsford Canucks.

With one game remaining on the Canucks’ pre-season slate, the team made its deepest cut list on Tuesday. This list featured several bubble players, including one of the team’s most intriguing prospects.

While many had long expected the 20-year-old Swede to acclimate to the North American game in the AHL to start, there was still a glimmer of hope that he might stick with Vancouver for opening night. After all, his pre-season audition did not make it an easy decision for the coaching staff, as Lekkerimäki showed significant intrigue and poise in his game.

Throughout four games, he showed off his well-known offensive talent, leading the team with three points, including one goal. Known for his sharpshooting, he registered and led the team with seven shots on goal. Under the surface, his underlying numbers were solid, posting a 52.24% Corsi For (CF%) and a 51.73% Expected Goals For (xGF%) across his games.

Lekkerimäki’s game has often been defined by his lethal shot and perimeter play, but during his recent stint, he revealed a little more versatility than expected in his first NHL trial. His defensive awareness was stronger than expected, and he showed relentless effort in all three zones, which head coach Rick Tocchet noticed.

In reflecting on Lekkerimäki’s performance, Tocchet praised his skill set as a young prospect. “He’s just a sneaky guy,” said Tocchet. “He’s a talented kid. You look in the organization, you’re looking for those type of guys, you know, game changers.”

Overall, the decision to assign Lekkerimäki to the AHL wasn’t necessarily a reflection of his shortcomings but rather a way to ensure he receives the necessary ice time, puck touches, and opportunities to grow. At just 20 years old, Lekkerimäki now has ample time to fine-tune his skills, adjust to the North American style of play, and potentially take on a leading role in Abbotsford to gain essential reps.

In addition to his positive review, Lekkerimäki’s room for growth in playing more effective NHL hockey is not lost on Vancouver bench boss. “He could play a little inside more, he even said to us today that more 50/50 pucks, coming up with those, that’s the next level for him,” Tocchet reiterated. “He might be back in 30 days, or he might be back at the end of the year, I don’t know, but we’ve gotta make sure that he gets the proper development and proper coaching, and he’s gonna get that down there.”

Playing a few strong pre-season games is one thing, but maintaining consistency throughout an NHL schedule is a whole other beast.

While he may be starting the season in the AHL, this doesn’t mean he won’t get a look in Vancouver soon. As a prospect navigating through his entry-level deal, the club will have the benefit of utilizing his contract whenever they see fit. In fact, Tocchet hinted at the possibility that Lekkerimäki could be back with the Canucks sooner than later. “He’s obviously knocking at the door.”

For now, Lekkerimäki will have the chance to dominate in Abbotsford, refine the finer points of his game, and continue his upward trajectory. Whether his next stop is a top-six role in Vancouver or a continued developmental run in the AHL, the Lekkerimäki era is just beginning.