Exciting Top Prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki Expected to Get Cut by the Vancouver Canucks

One of the more interesting battles to keep an eye on during training camp is the Vancouver Canucks' bottom-six forward group as upwards of six or seven players are vying for just two spots.

Among those that are looking to land an opening night roster spot is 2022 first round pick Jonathan Lekkerimaki, who got his first taste of the National Hockey League last season while also helping Abbotsford win their first Calder Cup in team history.

While on paper, it might feel like Lekkerimaki has a good shot at being on the roster over his peers when Vancouver begins the 2025-26 campaign against the Calgary Flames, however he still needs to prove to his coaching staff that he deserves it, and last night's preseason game was the first step in doing so.

In a recent article for The Hockey News, Izzy Cheung shared her three bold predictions for the Vancouver Canucks entering the 2025-26 season, one of them involved top prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki.

Cheung says in her prediction that Jonathan Lekkerimaki will suit up for all six of Vancouver's preseason games, but at the end of training camp as Patrik Allvin and Adam Foote figure out who will be on the opening night roster, the 21-year-old will end up getting cut.

While it might be disappointing for Lekkerimaki to go back down to the American Hockey League to start the season, there's a good chance that he won't end the year there.

The Tullinge, Sweden native looked very strong in Abbotsford during his first season of professional hockey in North America, finishing the 2024-25 campaign with 19 goals and 28 points in 36 games, so his goal scoring and offensive abilities aren't an issue, but he does need to improve on the defensive side of the puck.

By going down to Abbotsford to start the year, it'll allow Lekkerimaki to work on those defensive skills in order to become a more well-rounded and complete player by the time he's ready to make the jump to the National Hockey League on a full-time basis.

Source: Izzy Cheung/The Hockey News