The Vancouver Canucks are not expected to call up Jonathan Lekkerimäki for Saturday’s matchup against the Edmonton Oilers, according to a report from The Athletic’s Thomas Drance.

The Canucks dealt winger Daniel Sprong to the Seattle Kraken for future considerations on late Friday afternoon in a move that caught plenty of people off guard. With a scoring winger out the door — coupled with the fact that the Canucks are expected to be without Brock Boeser after the blindside hit he took from Tanner Jeannot — many wondered if the Canucks might jump at the opportunity to try to get a look at their top prospect at the NHL level.

After all, Lekkerimäki’s first full season in AHL Abbotsford has gotten off to a hot start. Through nine games, Lekkerimäki already has five goals to his name, and has been taking plenty of shots on goal in the process. He certainly looks close to NHL ready, and after a long look on Elias Pettersson’s wing in training camp and the preseason, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Canucks call him up to the big club soon.

While Lekkerimäki is still expected to get a look at the NHL level soon — and the Sprong deal certainly lines up with that idea — it doesn’t appear like he’ll get that opportunity just yet. Instead, keep an eye on a player like Arshdeep Bains, who Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet has made it clear is a player he trusts.

While the NHL club takes on the Oilers at home, Lekkerimäki and the Abbotsford Canucks are set to take on the Oilers’ AHL affiliate Bakersfield Condors tonight and tomorrow at the Abbotsford Centre. Puck drop for both games is set for 7 PM this evening, and we’ll have full recaps of both games written up right here at CanucksArmy. 

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