Player Discussion Jonathan Lekkerimaki | Shooters gonna shoot.

[VancouverJagger]

I get the fact that they wanted to get Garland back in, even though he looked to be far from 100 percent.

But Lekkerimaki scratched in favor of guys like Aman and Karlsson, makes zero sense to me.

Karlsson played a very strong game previously and Aman plays down the middle so i can see the reasoning. Last night Karlsson looked a bit overwhelmed and out of his element physically - would expect Lekk to get the call tomorrow again.

 

[Siludin]

Karlsson played a very strong game previously and Aman plays down the middle so i can see the reasoning. Last night Karlsson looked a bit overwhelmed and out of his element physically - would expect Lekk to get the call tomorrow again.

All I know is that in EHM when I have two budding prospects I always make them split time in the NHL to maintain waiver ineligibility, and to suppress their next contracts, while maintaining "progress" in their careers so they continue to develop with more ice time in the minors.
I'm happy with what the Canucks are doing in letting these guys young guys all taste the trickle-down minutes.

 

[Bleach Clean]

Looked dangerous against NYR, but only got the 1 shot.

You can see him start to shine against the less structured teams, but he's got a way to go yet. Has to be quicker to evade checks. Keep the puck moving.

They should give him some runway for the remainder of the season. Don't take him out.

 

[wetcoast]

Looked dangerous against NYR, but only got the 1 shot.

You can see him start to shine against the less structured teams, but he's got a way to go yet. Has to be quicker to evade checks. Keep the puck moving.

They should give him some runway for the remainder of the season. Don't take him out.

Agreed he showed potential but needs to get a bit stronger and quicker/faster as even a little bit more in both areas will go a long way for him as he has some interesting tools.

 

[Szechwan]

He's definitely staring to think the game at the NHL level, you can see his decision making is improving and he doesn't get boxed into corners as easily.

Still needs an off-season to bulk up and build some strength on his skates, but I think we have a player here.

 

[VanJack]

He's definitely staring to think the game at the NHL level, you can see his decision making is improving and he doesn't get boxed into corners as easily.

Still needs an off-season to bulk up and build some strength on his skates, but I think we have a player here.

If you were craft an absolutely 'ideal' development scenario for a young player, then Lekkerimaki's year would fit the bill to a T.

He lit it up in Abbotsford, one of the highest scoring 20-year old rookies in the league, despite missing almost a quarter of the season due to injuries and NHL callups.

Now he's been thrown into NHL action in desperation games down the stretch--with the Canucks and the their opponents playing in full 'must-win' games night after night. Then it's back to the AHL for playoff hockey--and hopefully a long run in Abbotsford.

With an off-season weight training regimen, I don't any way he isn't penciled into the Canucks opening night roster next season.

 

[Knight53]

Kids shot is disgusting. Him and EP40 will be a formidable duo in the near future.

 

[BluesyShoes]

So deceptive. On his first goal, how he floats in his check’s blind spot feigning a wide drive while slipping inside and gaining a half beat, just enough to receive the pass and get the shot off in one motion is exactly his game and why it can work in the NHL.

 

[Hansen]

Hes got more than a little Pastrnak to his game, hope he can max out his upside that would be the home run we need

 

[sting101]

Been watching him closely lately and the amount of deception and change of speeds that he's now starting to implement at the NHL level is impressive.

Markstrom absolutely bit on high glove. The melt down was so classic. What a snipe

Scoring goals is the hardest thing to do in hockey and Lekk is just one of those players that seems destined to do it a lot with how he finds time and space to use his talents. At every level he has amongst his peers been one of the premier snipers.

Nice to see him take some big steps to build off

 

[VanJack]

What continues to impress about Lekkerimaki is how he can subtly change the angle on his shot and open up so much of the net.

You could see it on that shoot-out winner. He cradles the puck for an extra second, and changes the angle in a heartbeat. Markstrom bit badly and opened up the entire short-side.

This kid is going to score a lot of goals in the NHL.

 

[David71]

WE need more of leekerimaki to snipe more. that goal on marky was nastyyy. with petterson out for who knows how long. let the kid play more and cook. he will score the rest of the season.

 

[HockeyWooot]

Needs to get stronger on skates and get more explosive to create separation (as most young players do).

Man his shot looks awesome though. I’m sure there are better comps but Naslund pops to mind.

Boeser seems like he’s more of a finding soft spots/nose for the net forward with a great shot, vs Lekkerimaki who looks like he’ll be an elite shooter in the league able to generate high volume of chances rather than relying on linemate to drive play and open up scoring opportunities.

 

[VanJack]

If Lekkerimaki ever figures out how control the puck; pass it off and then hit the holes, look out. A big part of the issues with his previous call-ups was that he was stuck out on the perimeter too often.

But he's now learning fast how to change speeds; shake defenders and give himself some space. And that shot--an absolute laser beam. Just loved that 'stick twirl' as he picked up the puck on the shootout winner. It was like a pool shark lining up the eight ball.

A real find for the Canucks at 15th overall. Would have been such a tragedy if they'd traded him for immediate help. He's the kind of kid who gives you hope.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

If Lekkerimaki ever figures out how control the puck; pass it off and then hit the holes, look out. A big part of the issues with his previous call-ups was that he was stuck out on the perimeter too often.

But he's now learning fast how to change speeds; shake defenders and give himself some space. And that shot--an absolute laser beam. Just loved that 'stick twirl' as he picked up the puck on the shootout winner. It was a a pool shark lining up the eight ball.

A real find for the Canucks at 15th overall. Would have been such a tragedy if they'd traded him for immediate help. He's the kind of kid who gives you hope.

Will he be the one that will prevent us from doing any long term roster planning 5 years from now?

Only time will tell!

 

[BenningHurtsMySoul]

A lot of our future ability to compete involves this guy developing into a top line sniper. 35-40 goals annually, and I think he's fully capable of getting there. One of the best releases in the league, as we saw in the shootout.

 

[BenningHurtsMySoul]

If Lekkerimaki ever figures out how control the puck; pass it off and then hit the holes, look out. A big part of the issues with his previous call-ups was that he was stuck out on the perimeter too often.

But he's now learning fast how to change speeds; shake defenders and give himself some space. And that shot--an absolute laser beam. Just loved that 'stick twirl' as he picked up the puck on the shootout winner. It was a a pool shark lining up the eight ball.

A real find for the Canucks at 15th overall. Would have been such a tragedy if they'd traded him for immediate help. He's the kind of kid who gives you hope.

EP25, Willander and Lekkermaki should all be untouchable. They will be relied on to bring new life to a stale core in the next few seasons.

 

[VanJack]

I've played a lot of beer league hockey and been an NHL fan most of my life. And there's still a lot I don't understand about the game--particularly the art of shooting the puck.

I mean you look at a guy like Lekkerimaki who's probably no more than 170 pounds, soaking wet. But the puck explodes off his stick. It's almost effortless. Even Quinn Hughes when he arrived, had a bit of a muffin of a shot. And has worked relentlessly on it over the past number of off-seasons.

But that shot of Lekkerimaki is a gift, or probably the result of hour after hour on the ice and firing pucks in the drive-way. It's a combination of God-given talent and an indefatigable work ethic.

I know one thing. In two or three years, when he's bigger, stronger and even faster--those laser beams of his are going to be almost unstoppable.

 

[arttk]

EP25, Willander and Lekkermaki should all be untouchable. They will be relied on to bring new life to a stale core in the next few seasons.

Honestly better to think about it from the expansion draft perspective, we are going to have a draft in 2 years if not 2 drafts. 7 forwards 3 defensemen and 1 goalie or eight skaters and 1 goalie.

Do we trade away a guy to get a top 6 forward back so it's easier to go with the 7f/3d/1G route, keep Mynio and willander in the A next year so they won't be eligible for the expansion draft and we protect Hughes Hronek & MP since they all have nmcs?