F Jonathan Lekkerimaki (2022, 15th, VAN)

[Pavels Dog]

Watched his whole game yesterday. Played extremely well for his age. Good offensive instincts, created like 5 high danger chances, went 1+1. He seems taller than 5'11"

Yup. More highlights:

 

[APVJ]

Reminds me of Filip Forsberg

 

[The Sweetness]

This kid looks awesome. How is his finishing?

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

Signed rookie contract with Djurgården

 

[BKarchitect]

Calling it now - he's going to be a surprise Top 5 pick in this draft.

There's been a pretty much consensus top 10-12 guys from almost every single scouting service and talking head which Lekkerimäki has just been narrowly on the outside of. But draft position is a lot about momentum and development "ramping up" through the course of a draftee's season. I think Lekkerimäki is establishing himself as that guy now that's he's arrived in the SHL. He checks all the boxes for a late-rising rocket up the draft boards and he's certainly got the upside and skill level to warrant it.

 

[VictorLustig]

Calling it now - he's going to be a surprise Top 5 pick in this draft.

There's been a pretty much consensus top 10-12 guys from almost every single scouting service and talking head which Lekkerimäki has just been narrowly on the outside of. But draft position is a lot about momentum and development "ramping up" through the course of a draftee's season. I think Lekkerimäki is establishing himself as that guy now that's he's arrived in the SHL. He checks all the boxes for a late-rising rocket up the draft boards and he's certainly got the upside and skill level to warrant it.

Been thinking the same for a while. Lekkerimäki has pretty much everything I’m looking for in an offensive player.

 

[Antiillafire]

I think he’s the most underrated player in the draft. I wouldn’t mind at all if my team took him in that top 6-7 range.

 

[Eye of Ra]

another swede-finn hope he turns out better than pääjärvi

 

[theslatcher]

And another PPG, 5th goal of the season, all scored in his last 10 or so games.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

He is looking like he will be a riser.

 

[Kcoyote3]

And another PPG, 5th goal of the season, all scored in his last 10 or so games.

Sharks please. He plays well with Eklund already. Such a sick pass

 

[theslatcher]

And he keeps delivering on the PP with his 6th goal of the season. Cleans up his own rebound.

 

[AB13]

As a Djurgården fan who has had the privilege of watching all three I don't think Lekkerimäki is worse than Eklund or Holtz in their draft years. If he doesn't go top 10, this draft class better be incredible.

 

[Eye of Ra]

its felony if monten dont include him, wallinder and leo carlsson in wjc summer tournament

 

[Prntscrn]

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Pastrnak comparable? Or would that be Kemmell

 

[Kcoyote3]

He's gonna end up in the top 5 at this rate

 

[Osakahaus]

He's gonna end up in the top 5 at this rate

nah, top 10. at least that range

 

[BKarchitect]

nah, top 10. at least that range

He could definitely go top 5. Very little about this draft is settled at this point. Now that he has 'arrived' at the SHL level and the rate at which he is scoring and improving has him on a trajectory that the scouting services are likely going to be adjusting to when final rankings are released. The 'consensus' rankings from like December that had him around the #10-12 mark now look a bit out of date. I'd almost guarantee he is going to pass up some guys who have consistently been ranked ahead of him. He's probably the most complete offensive talent in this draft.

 

[JurequeparJuraj]

Just watched him skate/play for the first time he remind me of Nick Suzuki.

 

[BKarchitect]

Just watched him skate/play for the first time he remind me of Nick Suzuki.

I can see that but I’d say he plays at a much higher pace than Suzuki. I think he’s definitely a more explosive skater at the same age.

 

[Osakahaus]

He could definitely go top 5. Very little about this draft is settled at this point. Now that he has 'arrived' at the SHL level and the rate at which he is scoring and improving has him on a trajectory that the scouting services are likely going to be adjusting to when final rankings are released. The 'consensus' rankings from like December that had him around the #10-12 mark now look a bit out of date. I'd almost guarantee he is going to pass up some guys who have consistently been ranked ahead of him. He's probably the most complete offensive talent in this draft.

he'll still be a good talent, but top 5 is huge if he makes it

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

As a Djurgården fan who has had the privilege of watching all three I don't think Lekkerimäki is worse than Eklund or Holtz in their draft years. If he doesn't go top 10, this draft class better be incredible.

Who cares if he's better or worse? The draft is about projecting into the future.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

It will be the 3rd year in a row a Djurgarden forward goes 7th overall

 

[vildurson]

Nasty deceptive shot. Shoot first mentality. Good hands. Good skating. Plenty to like. Most likely will be out of top 10 in this draft because of his size, defensive side and questions of how he can deal with larger players taking his time and space away. Probably somewhere in 15-20 range, like Cole Caufield as an example in his draft class?