Jonathan Lekkerimaki - Arrived in Abbotsford

[Raistlin]

No, it really is not elite. Lekkerimaki was a ~0.66 PPG SHL player in his D+2. Coupled with a qualitative evaluation that his perimeter shooting (and PP heavy offense) game is likely to have difficulty transitioning to the NHL level (and we've seen him have a slow start at the AHL level). No, he's not an elite prospect. He's a good one.

Petey was the undisputed best player in the SHL in his D+1. Nylander was a point-per-game player in the SHL in his D+1. Lucas Raymond was a top-six NHL forward in his D+2. Leo Carlsson barely produced less than Lekk in his draft season and was an NHL top-six forward in his D+1. These are more the levels of progress you'd want to see from an elite prospect, or one you would project to be a top-line player.

instead of comparing him to Boeser, who was compared to Kyle Connor coming up. Eklund in SJ is a good comparable for the current Lekkerimaki, Eklund has a higher ceiling, but Lekk has a much better shot. I wrote off his mono/covid year because he was obviously a different player that year compared to his developmental trajectory.

 

[F A N]

instead of comparing him to Boeser, who was compared to Kyle Connor coming up. Eklund in SJ is a good comparable for the current Lekkerimaki, Eklund has a higher ceiling, but Lekk has a much better shot. I wrote off his mono/covid year because he was obviously a different player that year compared to his developmental trajectory.

I was very high on Eklund in his draft year and not very high on Lekkerimaki by comparison. I don't think Eklund is a good comparable because Eklund plays more like Hoglander than Lekkerimaki. I think Alexander Holtz is a good comparable for Lekkerimaki.

 

[Bleach Clean]

I get what you're saying, but I really don't value players whose only plus-level trait is open-look shooting. It's not something they'll get many chances to exploit at the NHL level. The fear is they're kinda like an Alex Holtz or Teemu Pulkinnen. They'll need to be able to bring something else or manufacture chances in other ways.

You can pretty easily acquire softish, smallish, 2nd line forwards on the trade and UFA market.

I think Lekkerimaki can bring a 3 zone capacity along with his skill to beat out those types of options. He can be trusted at ES imo.

The times that I've seen such players traded easily at the NHL level is when their drawbacks are exposed. When the juice isn't worth the squeeze. So far, Lekkerimaki hasn't displayed traits to be considered of that ilk.

But if this team can get a player they trust at ES that also has a plus shot, and that can score at a 2nd line level, they should trade for it right now.

 

[Raistlin]

I was very high on Eklund in his draft year and not very high on Lekkerimaki by comparison. I don't think Eklund is a good comparable because Eklund plays more like Hoglander than Lekkerimaki. I think Alexander Holtz is a good comparable for Lekkerimaki.

at draft I understand, but with developement afterwards, not anymore for me. Blean just mentioned the main difference between Holtz and Lekkerimaki, Holtz cannot be trusted at all in puck management and the defensive part of the game. Yes, they both have a crazy shot, but that ends there, I lumped him in that camp with Holtz early too, obviously what he does in the A this year will matter a lot, but this kid can drive play and wont be a black hole without the puck

 

[bossram]

instead of comparing him to Boeser, who was compared to Kyle Connor coming up. Eklund in SJ is a good comparable for the current Lekkerimaki, Eklund has a higher ceiling, but Lekk has a much better shot. I wrote off his mono/covid year because he was obviously a different player that year compared to his developmental trajectory.

I never brought up Boeser originally. I also only used examples from Sweden.

I think Eklund statistically is closer. But he's quite a different player than Lekk. Eklund was thought of as more of a 2-way center, and IMO has much better wall and small area play.

I was very high on Eklund in his draft year and not very high on Lekkerimaki by comparison. I don't think Eklund is a good comparable because Eklund plays more like Hoglander than Lekkerimaki. I think Alexander Holtz is a good comparable for Lekkerimaki.

Holtz is a lot closer for Lekk than Eklund.

I think Lekkerimaki can bring a 3 zone capacity along with his skill to beat out those types of options. He can be trusted at ES imo.

The times that I've seen such players traded easily at the NHL level is when their drawbacks are exposed. When the juice isn't worth the squeeze. So far, Lekkerimaki hasn't displayed traits to be considered of that ilk.

But if this team can get a player they trust at ES that also has a plus shot, and that can score at a 2nd line level, they should trade for it right now.

Yeah, we hope he can have more elements. We haven't really seen it yet. If you wait too late to sell, then they have no value left (again, like Holtz).

 

[arttk]

The premises of your other arguments were also mostly wrong.

be better than that

 

[bossram]

be better than that

They were. Be better.

 

[F A N]

I think Lekkerimaki can bring a 3 zone capacity along with his skill to beat out those types of options. He can be trusted at ES imo.

The times that I've seen such players traded easily at the NHL level is when their drawbacks are exposed. When the juice isn't worth the squeeze. So far, Lekkerimaki hasn't displayed traits to be considered of that ilk.

But if this team can get a player they trust at ES that also has a plus shot, and that can score at a 2nd line level, they should trade for it right now.

at draft I understand, but with developement afterwards, not anymore for me. Blean just mentioned the main difference between Holtz and Lekkerimaki, Holtz cannot be trusted at all in puck management and the defensive part of the game. Yes, they both have a crazy shot, but that ends there, I lumped him in that camp with Holtz early too, obviously what he does in the A this year will matter a lot, but this kid can drive play and wont be a black hole without the puck

I hope Bleach is right. I still see Lekkerimaki as a guy who needs to separate himself with his goal scoring and he's got a bit of a ways to go to become that reliable ES player that Bleach talks about. I'm actually fine if he can develop to the point where his floor is Pius Suter with a better shot. If he can develop into that kind of player quickly that's a good young player to have.

 

[DiggerDan]

I think Lekkerimaki can bring a 3 zone capacity along with his skill to beat out those types of options. He can be trusted at ES imo.

The times that I've seen such players traded easily at the NHL level is when their drawbacks are exposed. When the juice isn't worth the squeeze. So far, Lekkerimaki hasn't displayed traits to be considered of that ilk.

But if this team can get a player they trust at ES that also has a plus shot, and that can score at a 2nd line level, they should trade for it right now.

I agree with this. He obviously has work to do, but I think he's already shown potential to become a very good ES player in the NHL.

If he's really coachable, it could translate to a highly skilled (ie shot) 2 way forward that is very much worth the pick and development. Still hopeful over here.

 

[barriers]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851484707525169239

 

[Russian_fanatic]

His biggest asset is obviously his shot, but kid knows where to be on the ice to score goals. It's an ability you can't teach. Boeser has the exact same quality.

 

[Knight53]

Top shelf snipe. Only a matter of time until he’s called up.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851816746765922492

 

[VanJack]

Top shelf snipe. Only a matter of time until he’s called up.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851816746765922492

Agreed.....that's a better snipe than anything I've seen all year on the Vancouver PP. Since Pettersson's shot went AWOL, they have nobody who can shoot and get a puck through to the net.

 

[Chaos Giraffe]

Agreed.....that's a better snipe than anything I've seen all year on the Vancouver PP. Since Pettersson's shot went AWOL, they have nobody who can shoot and get a puck through to the net.

We have nobody who shoots, period.

I don't understand what is wrong with the players, why do they not shoot? It's not even a time and space issue, they have *clear* lanes to the net. If you watch the PP, they always feel the need to take 1 stickhandle before making a decision.

 

[Blue and Green]

Top shelf snipe. Only a matter of time until he’s called up.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851816746765922492

Everybody knows that he can shoot but there's a lot more to it and he's not NHL-calibre at this point. Pure perimeter player right now in the AHL and not getting much done at even strength.

 

[logan5]

Everybody knows that he can shoot but there's a lot more to it and he's not NHL-calibre at this point. Pure perimeter player right now in the AHL and not getting much done at even strength.

Well, he generated 8 shots on net, and he knows how to find the right areas.
He has 2 goals in 4 games, and as far as I can tell, he is getting more confident with each game.

Not NHL caliber, but he looks like the first forward call up. Easily the best forward on the team.

 

[Blue and Green]

Well, he generated 8 shots on net, and he knows how to find the right areas.
He has 2 goals in 4 games, and as far as I can tell, he is getting more confident with each game.

Not NHL caliber, but he looks like the first forward call up. Easily the best forward on the team.

He would be eaten alive by the pace and physicality of the NHL game right now. He's getting a lot of shots on net on the PP (and also tonight with the goalie pulled). He's their best forward on the PP, not close to being the best at even strength. He needs to keep learning how to play properly this season in the AHL, and he needs a good summer of physical training. Then he might be ready.

 

[VanJack]

Everybody knows that he can shoot but there's a lot more to it and he's not NHL-calibre at this point. Pure perimeter player right now in the AHL and not getting much done at even strength.

'Not NHL caliber'. That describes a lot of Vancouver Canuck forwards right now. Why not call him up for 10 games and stick him on the PP?

I mean did you watch that Vancouver PP tonight? What have they got to lose? If it doesn't work out, they can easily send him back down.

 

[Blue and Green]

'Not NHL caliber'. That describes a lot of Vancouver Canuck forwards right now.

No, it doesn't.

 

[F A N]

We have nobody who shoots, period.

I don't understand what is wrong with the players, why do they not shoot? It's not even a time and space issue, they have *clear* lanes to the net. If you watch the PP, they always feel the need to take 1 stickhandle before making a decision.

A lot of times it's waiting for the screen. Where Lekkerimaki scored that goal, it's very difficult to score from that distance with a wrister on an unscreened NHL goalie.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

Agreed.....that's a better snipe than anything I've seen all year on the Vancouver PP. Since Pettersson's shot went AWOL, they have nobody who can shoot and get a puck through to the net.

Miller and Hughes and Boeser can all shoot and get a puck through to the net.

 

[VanJack]

I've watched some of Lekkerimaki's games in Abbotsford; and caught a few more minutes on the game highlight packages,

And I'd have to say, that despite only scoring twice, he could easily have six or seven if he'd been able to bury some of his chances. He's hit iron at least three or four times, and been absolutely robbed on some other occasions.

The positive thing, as other posters have pointed out, is that he knows where to go on the ice to get himself into a dangerous scoring position. So many other Abby Canuck forwards either have tunnel vision, or can't get anything on their shots from distance.

So it's not an outlandish prediction that Lekkerimaki will see some games in Vancouver before this season is done. And he's already positioning himself as one of the first call-ups.