Jonathan Lekkerimaki - Arrived in Abbotsford
- Thread starter Mr. Canucklehead
- Start date
Chaos Giraffe
Registered User
Very solid debut.
You can tell the skill is clearly there, and the points will come.
Billy Kvcmu
Registered User
Can’t believe JT missed him on the breakaway. Miller makes that pass 9/10 times. Spain without the S
Chaos Giraffe
Registered User
Had more high danger scoring chances than Mikheyev's last 50 games with the team.
He didn't look out of place, and even had a decent scoring opportunity, but also didn't beat any worlds tonight. I would have liked to see him work to get a little more open when he was in the bumper spot on the power play, and he was never really a viable option to receive a pass – although if he's drawing defenders (and he was) that means someone else is open that Calgary should be worried about.
I liked Lekkerimaki's game. He's not being physically overwhelmed at all. Came close to scoring his first NHL goal, and if you're getting chances you must be doing something right.
I notice Tocchet had him playing the bumper spot on the PP. I definitely think he gets a few more games, or at least until Boeser and Joshua are back.
I notice Tocchet had him playing the bumper spot on the PP. I definitely think he gets a few more games, or at least until Boeser and Joshua are back.
- Aug 28, 2011
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PuckMunchkin
Very Nice, Very Evil!
Didnt look out of place.
Toch had him out late with the lead. This bodes well. I take that it means the coach didnt see him making any glaring defensive mistakes.
Toch had him out late with the lead. This bodes well. I take that it means the coach didnt see him making any glaring defensive mistakes.
Diversification
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- Jun 21, 2019
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TBF, Mik had tons of high danger chances. What he did with those chances on the other hand...
Had a good first game. Seemed tentative at times but that was likely more to do with figuring out how his linemates play than anything. He forced a couple plays and a couple times in the defensive zone he got wandering a bit. But all in all a very solid game.
Really looks like a guy that will thrive in the "Horvat" position on the PP.
Really looks like a guy that will thrive in the "Horvat" position on the PP.
kanucks25
Chris Tanev #1 Fan
Lekk has a good one-timer along with his wrister, long term I'd like to see him on the left wall and Boeser can be in the slot which is where he's most dangerous.
Petey on the right wall, Miller on the right side of the net.
Bleach Clean
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- Aug 9, 2006
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A few thoughts on the game and Lekkerimaki in general:
- It seems uninteresting, but Tocchet's trust in playing Lekkerimaki late speaks volumes. The defensive threshold scorers have to meet here is very high, and Lekk has met it (so far).
- That said, his 1v1 coverage in his own zone needs work. He has to get on the right side of his check. In contrast, his area play in the D Zone, neutral zone lane work, and forechecking was good (especially the forecheck).
- Highly intelligent player. Calm and deceptive. On offense, no red flags yet. Still, you could tell he was overthinking everything. Slowed him down. Kind of like how Pettersson had been playing before.
- I like that they put him in a position to succeed and his underlying numbers kind of bear that out. Solid puck management skills.
- In the AHL, Lekk has been dominant while playing the 'wrong' way... His perimeter style from the SHL has carried over to result in nearly 6 shots a game, which would be absurd even if he were not at a PPG pace.
- When he goes back down (I think he should), 1v1 coverage and shooting from the inside will be the development goals to watch out for. Some wall work too.
- Finally, the major impression Lekk gives is that he is not, or will not be, a liability on the ice. This is what gets players like Tolvanen, Holtz and Sprong moved along early. Those types of players are easier to acquire because of that drawback. Defensively conscious players with skill are much harder to attain.
Anyway, early days. To get from where he was in his D+1 season to now is a major achievement. Good on him for working hard, but it only gets harder from here.
- It seems uninteresting, but Tocchet's trust in playing Lekkerimaki late speaks volumes. The defensive threshold scorers have to meet here is very high, and Lekk has met it (so far).
- That said, his 1v1 coverage in his own zone needs work. He has to get on the right side of his check. In contrast, his area play in the D Zone, neutral zone lane work, and forechecking was good (especially the forecheck).
- Highly intelligent player. Calm and deceptive. On offense, no red flags yet. Still, you could tell he was overthinking everything. Slowed him down. Kind of like how Pettersson had been playing before.
- I like that they put him in a position to succeed and his underlying numbers kind of bear that out. Solid puck management skills.
- In the AHL, Lekk has been dominant while playing the 'wrong' way... His perimeter style from the SHL has carried over to result in nearly 6 shots a game, which would be absurd even if he were not at a PPG pace.
- When he goes back down (I think he should), 1v1 coverage and shooting from the inside will be the development goals to watch out for. Some wall work too.
- Finally, the major impression Lekk gives is that he is not, or will not be, a liability on the ice. This is what gets players like Tolvanen, Holtz and Sprong moved along early. Those types of players are easier to acquire because of that drawback. Defensively conscious players with skill are much harder to attain.
Anyway, early days. To get from where he was in his D+1 season to now is a major achievement. Good on him for working hard, but it only gets harder from here.
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strattonius
Registered User
Perimeter play doesn't get you that many shots on goal. He has 5 goals in 7 games and gets himself in to positions to score. That is why he was called up. Where are you getting this 'playing the wrong way' thing? His coaches and everyone along the way is saying he is playing a smart 2 way game I'm hearing all different things than you.
Perimeter players don't manufacture that many shots, they don't score that many goals, and they certainly don't get called to the NHL at 20 yrs old if they are playing a perimeter game.
Anyways not requesting a statue of Lekk out front Rogers nor do I think he will stay up the rest of the year, I just don't follow this criticism.
Bleach Clean
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- Aug 9, 2006
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There's some nuance in what I'm saying: Lekkerimaki is carrying over his SHL style to the NA game. More shots in space and at distance. It still works (from what I've seen and tracked). He's a dominant volume shooter. It immediately suggests that he's perhaps too good for AHL play, but to convert to the NHL and flourish, he will need to either maintain a higher volume or adopt better shot selection.
Lekk goes to the middle, he just has to do it more often. I think he settles too much because he has a plus shot and it's what he's been allowed to do in the SHL on the bigger ice surface.
As far as his 2way game, it's solid. Some areas like his 1v1 D zone coverage and wall work need improvement, but he's not a liability.
He's still a good prospect. This is not damning criticism.
If this was the 2016-18 version of the Vancouver Canucks then making room for a flashy, 20-year old rookie with a scoring touch, wouldn't be a big 'surprise',
But this is the 2024 version of the Canucks--defending Pacific Division champions and a Tocchet-coached team with the attention to detail defensively that they hope will translate into a long playoff run.
So if Lekkerimaki can break in and secure a spot in the lineup--it really would be pretty impressive.
But this is the 2024 version of the Canucks--defending Pacific Division champions and a Tocchet-coached team with the attention to detail defensively that they hope will translate into a long playoff run.
So if Lekkerimaki can break in and secure a spot in the lineup--it really would be pretty impressive.
Per the bolded, yeah.
He's a player who appears to have an understanding of positional play and the details required defensively, and the willingness to compete to execute his team's system.
However, there's a loooooooong distance between being a young player with the potential to be a a solid defensive player someday and actually being a solid defensive player right now, and right now in the 10-ish pro games I've seen him play in NA his size and strength is a very limiting factor in his defensive play and his ability to read situations (while decent for a player his age) is not at the level required yet. He's a below-average defensive player right now.
Bleach Clean
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- Aug 9, 2006
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Yes and no. If you judge defense from the blue line down, then I agree. If it's over 200 feet of ice, then it's a discussion.
I think he's average right now in terms of reads in transition, breakouts, angling on the forecheck and puck management. His play as an F3 was especially encouraging. In contrast, he's below average in 1v1 D Zone positioning and general wall work (lack of strength). So on balance, probably on the lower end of average.
A smart player doesn't need size to play good defense. His lack of strength, however, will require an improvement on the body positioning side of the game.
HockeyWooot
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- Jan 28, 2020
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Nice first game, looked a bit tentative while adjusting to the pace of play and wanting to play it safe.
He showed skills that indicate he’s close to NHL level, speed through the neutral zone and his IQ to find space stood out.
Hopefully get can bag his first tonight and start rolling.
The best teams can add young impact players through their contention window, if Lekkerimaki becomes what we think he can be that’d be a big win.
He showed skills that indicate he’s close to NHL level, speed through the neutral zone and his IQ to find space stood out.
Hopefully get can bag his first tonight and start rolling.
The best teams can add young impact players through their contention window, if Lekkerimaki becomes what we think he can be that’d be a big win.
Absolute steal at 15th overall
Bleach Clean
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Congrats to him. A bit lucky with the placement, but was a bomb of a shot. Hope it's the first of many.
3 shots on the night too.
I just don't think Miller is the best center for Lek, even though he assisted on his first-ever NHL goal tonight. But there was another cross crease pass, where if Miller had put it into his wheelhouse, it would have been another rocket. Instead it was in his feet and he almost whiffed.
When Boeser is back they need to drop Lekerrimaki down to pay with Pettersson and Garland. That could be a dynamite second line.
