Prospect Info: Jonathan Lekkerimaki, #15 Overall, 2022 NHL Draft

[PuckMunchkin]

best prospect doesn't really mean much when you're talking about the canucks current system

i'm not saying he's a bust or anything but expectation should be tempered. this was a weak draft year and it may produce zero nhl stars. we shouldn't judge lekkerimaki as if he's expected to step into the top line next year

Oh. Ok.

My expectations were that he might become a top6 NHL:er one day, but has a long ways to go.

 

[bandwagonesque]

Sure, but these examples don't help your argument. Mattias Ohlund was a defenseman

I realize that.

and his PPG "dropped" going from the SEL2 to SEL.

His production dropped every year after his first in the SEL.

RJ Umberger lead his team in scoring in D+0 and D+1.

Yes, and his scoring plateaued. It seems like you're looking for details that superficially appear to undermine what I'm saying with little regard for whether they are actually relevant.

Daniel and Henrik Sedin already set records for production by 17 year olds in the SEL (and again both led their team in scoring in their D+1).

I don't understand what you're suggesting this has to do with the question. They were drafted on the strength of their production as 17 year olds and Daniel's production stagnated. At the time a lot of people said his lack of progression indicated he'd been a poor pick. Today he's in the Hall of Fame.

 

[Raistlin]

I just want to know if it looks like he is still affected from his bout with mono a couple months back. Not that Im trying to make excuses for him, as far as I know, no one from the recent draft is doing exceptional in Sweden so far.

 

[God]

I realize that.

His production dropped every year after his first in the SEL.

Yes, and his scoring plateaued. It seems like you're looking for details that superficially appear to undermine what I'm saying with little regard for whether they are actually relevant.

I don't understand what you're suggesting this has to do with the question. They were drafted on the strength of their production as 17 year olds and Daniel's production dropped. At the time a lot of people said his lack of progression indicated he'd been a poor pick. Today he's in the Hall of Fame.

??????

- Ohlund's production increased in his D+1, which is what we're talking about.
- I am saying the Sedins already hit peak production. Daniel was 13th in SEL scoring in his draft year, and he was 11th in SEL scoring in his D+1. I don't believe for a second that anybody said his lack of progression indicated he'd be a poor pick?

Again, Lekkerimaki is not producing after going down a division. He should be lighting this league up. I sure hope he picks it up if it's an issue with the mono recovery.

 

[andora]

I wouldn't go that far.

He is easily our best prospect. From what I hear he is getting limited ice time on a team that is not playing an offensive style at all.

He is third line.. from the games i watch they seem to tey and play a possession game but focus on rush chances..

Lekk while skilled doesnt exactly have a lot to work with when he does get the puck.. but isnt making much happen when he gets it either

He isnt the puck carrier on his line ever.. and due to his size seems to be the third man high a lot which doesnt give him a lot of time to do anything when he does get it, but again he isnt using his talent to create plays but rather deferring to a pass immediately

Kinda frustrating to watch however the game i watched the other day he looked far more engaged than past weeks, few board battles and actually touching other players - may be a comfort thing and learning a boring system

 

[timw33]

Mattias Ohlund's PPG dropped for three consecutive seasons in the SEL following his draft. RJ Umberger's scoring dropped slightly in his D+1. Daniel Sedin's scoring plateaued in his D+1 while Henrik's increased. Jannik Hansen remained in a low-level league in his D+1 and was at a PPG pace in junior in his D+2. Ben Hutton's scoring dropped in Junior A in his D+1. Mason Raymond was so-so in the NCAA in his D+1. It happens quite often. I don't think Melvin's overall impulse is incorrect, but it needs to be fleshed out considerably.

Mattias Ohlund's PPG dropped for three consecutive seasons in the SEL following his draft. RJ Umberger's scoring dropped slightly in his D+1. Daniel Sedin's scoring plateaued in his D+1 while Henrik's increased. Jannik Hansen remained in a low-level league in his D+1 and was at a PPG pace in junior in his D+2. Ben Hutton's scoring dropped in Junior A in his D+1. Mason Raymond was so-so in the NCAA in his D+1. It happens quite often. I don't think Melvin's overall impulse is incorrect, but it needs to be fleshed out considerably.

His rubric was 1st rounders only, but yeah it's mostly an interesting though experiment that had a decent batting average.

 

[SelltheTeamFrancesco]

It's funny that people are making a big deal out of 9 games one of which he left early. But forget about how he lit up the U18's

 

[F A N]

I think it's stupid to look at the stats of a player's draft + 1 year and panic and give up on the player. Now if there is something scouts and management sees as fundamentally changed from what they thought of the player then by all means look to trade him. I would hope there would then be a thorough review of the process that went into ranking this player in the top 10 in the first place.

Other than that, I can't see how things could have changed since the draft. Lekkerimaki just turned 18 and probably didn't have a full summer of training as he was still recovering from mono.

Take Wahlstrom who as much more physically developed at the same edge. He had one of the most horrific starts to college hockey than any potential top 10 type forward in recent memory (who goes onto become an NHL player). Looks like he might take another step forward this year.

 

[MS]

I realize that.

His production dropped every year after his first in the SEL.

Yes, and his scoring plateaued. It seems like you're looking for details that superficially appear to undermine what I'm saying with little regard for whether they are actually relevant.

I don't understand what you're suggesting this has to do with the question. They were drafted on the strength of their production as 17 year olds and Daniel's production stagnated. At the time a lot of people said his lack of progression indicated he'd been a poor pick. Today he's in the Hall of Fame.

I mean, if the player was absolutely insanely good at 17 and they flatline to being still insanely good relative to their peers at 18, you probably don't have a problem. John Tavares' junior career would be another example - his production actually declined from his draft -2 to his draft -1 to his draft year but who cares because he still scored 58 goals in 56 games.

For the general rank and file who aren't a prodigious talent like Tavares or the Sedins, it's a bigger issue. Likewise, Ohlund was an absolute monster as a teenager even if the stats don't reflect massive development in terms of points - destroyed the 1996 WJC, was playing regularly for the Swedish national team at age 19.

 

[Melvin]

His rubric was 1st rounders only, but yeah it's mostly an interesting though experiment that had a decent batting average.

I cannot see the posts you are quoting by moderator enforcement, but I assume this is about me?

If so I just want to note that I was only looking at players who played a full season. I didn't look at, like, the first 10 games. I actually think there's research to indicate that struggles in the first 10-15 games is normal, but I'm only semi-remembering that.

Lekkermaki's production would be a serious concern if it took place over an entire season, though. For sure. I'm not worried about it now.

 

[timw33]

I cannot see the posts you are quoting by moderator enforcement, but I assume this is about me?

If so I just want to note that I was only looking at players who played a full season. I didn't look at, like, the first 10 games. I actually think there's research to indicate that struggles in the first 10-15 games is normal, but I'm only semi-remembering that.

Lekkermaki's production would be a serious concern if it took place over an entire season, though. For sure. I'm not worried about it now.

Yep it was about the theory of "dump 1st rounders who flatline or regress in D+1.

 

[Melvin]

Yep it was about the theory of "dump 1st rounders who flatline or regress in D+1.

Right, I figured. I never really advocated for that though, just showed that if you did that you'd come out ahead most of the time. I do advocate dumping players after D+2 though. History has shown us that top-drafted players retain their value for like ~3 years after being drafted irrespective of trajectory, so I don't think you need to pull the trigger too early. After D+2 though, dump dump dump./

 

[MS]

Right, I figured. I never really advocated for that though, just showed that if you did that you'd come out ahead most of the time. I do advocate dumping players after D+2 though. History has shown us that top-drafted players retain their value for like ~3 years after being drafted irrespective of trajectory, so I don't think you need to pull the trigger too early. After D+2 though, dump dump dump./

Pretty much.

In the last 25 years, there have definitely been a few guys I've liked after their draft+2 who didn't turn out (Corrado stands out) but probably the only guy I thought looked poor who went on and made an NHL career for himself was Kevin Connauton. Maybe Virtanen in a way. The last 10 or 12 first round picks we've had who were obviously below the curve at the end of their draft+2, all were busts.

 

[me2]

1g 4a in 14 games in the lower tier Allsvenskan.

 

[Cancuks]

1g 4a in 14 games in the lower tier Allsvenskan.

Sometimes there's a reason why these players fall in the draft.

 

[lawrence]

Sometimes there's a reason why these players fall in the draft.

Maybe the Canucks had him ranked too high ?

 

[Cancuks]

Maybe the Canucks had him ranked too high ?

He was ranked in the top 10 by many of the draft gurus. But the teams in the top 10 perhaps saw something they didn't like. Same with Wright and he hasn't looked great in Seattle.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

He is playing on a team that doesn't play offense.

Also he needs to add strength and speed to be effective. No reason to think he can't work on those.


One thing I am worried about is his level of engagement. It was present in the WJCs and apparently it is still there in his play in Allsvenskan. He defers to his line mates to make decisions with the puck. That needs to change asap.

 

[andora]

He is playing on a team that doesn't play offense.

Also he needs to add strength and speed to be effective. No reason to think he can't work on those.


One thing I am worried about is his level of engagement. It was present in the WJCs and apparently it is still there in his play in Allsvenskan. He defers to his line mates to make decisions with the puck. That needs to change asap.

Nailed it on both

Watch Orebo and their program and it looks like the flyers collapsing around hart praying for the clock to run out. They are successful with it mind you but jesus

And yes on deferring to his linemates.. that is ome thing i noticed early

:EDIT: - i'm correcting an error i made - i said Orebo - i got them confused with Djurgarden.

 

[sting101]

Small soft winger with work rate issues what could go wrong?

Kulich meanwhile has 8pts in 10 AHL games and Yurov has 7pts in 26 KHL games

Gonna be interested to see how this goes cant say i was thrilled with the pick but i sure hope it works out we need ELCs that can produce

 

[MS]

Small soft winger with work rate issues what could go wrong?

Kulich meanwhile has 8pts in 10 AHL games and Yurov has 7pts in 26 KHL games

Gonna be interested to see how this goes cant say i was thrilled with the pick but i sure hope it works out we need ELCs that can produce

It’s an annoying pick right now.

Smallish one-dimensional skill wingers are the lowest-value assets in the league.

Smallish skill wingers is also literally the lowest priority need for our club specifically.

And now the player is off to a very disappointing start to his draft+1.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Not looking good.

 

[Icebreakers]

When you trade multiple first round picks as a borderline playoff team, you better not miss the ones you do keep. I'm sure if they included the 2022 nhl draft pick instead of 2021 in the original OEL trade they would have taken it.

 

[Goon42]

tyler boucher > lekkerimaki

 

[arttk]

ummm how’s he doing lately?