Vancouver Canucks Complete Tough Roster Decision with Prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki After Injury
Photo credit: Bob Frid - Imagn Images.
The Vancouver Canucks have announced a roster move involving former first rounder Jonathan Lekkerimaki, who has been on the sidelines with an injury since October 19th.
After four games at home, the Vancouver Canucks are set to head out on a three game road trip to the US Southeast as Adam Foote's group faces tough tests in the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers.
As injury issues continue to pile up, most recently to goaltender Thatcher Demko, who will reportedly miss two-to-three weeks with a groin issue, the club is hoping that some of their other players on the sidelines will be able to return shortly after they return to Vancouver next week.
Among those that appear close to making a return to game action are forwards Teddy Blueger, who won't be suiting up on the road trip, as well as Jonathan Lekkerimaki, with the club making an announcement regarding the latter on Wednesday evening.
Vancouver Canucks announce roster move involving former first rounder Jonathan Lekkerimaki
Back on October 19th against the Washington Capitals, the Vancouver Canucks were hit with the injury bug in a big way as a trio of forwards Filip Chytil, Teddy Blueger and Jonathan Lekkerimaki got hurt at various points throughout that afternoon.
Lekkerimaki and Chytil were placed on injured reserve by the club and it appears that the Swedish forward is getting closer to a return.
In a post on social media, the Vancouver Canucks announced that they've activated Jonathan Lekkerimaki off injured reserve and have assigned him to the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Canucks for the time being.
"General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that F Jonathan Lekkerimäki has been activated from injured reserve and assigned to Abbotsford (AHL)." the club said.
For those fans confused about Lekkerimaki being assigned to the American Hockey League rather than staying up with the big club, there's nothing to worry about as the 21-year-old needs to get back up to game speed and with Abbotsford dealing with injury issues of their own, it'll be a good opportunity for him to get top line minutes while on a conditioning stint.
Given that the Canucks are out on the road, it wouldn't have made much sense to bring Lekkerimaki if he wasn't going to be an option for Adam Foote and his coaching staff.
As Abbotsford gets set for their own road trip, which begins Saturday in San Diego, California, the Tullinge, Sweden native will have to opportunity to play in at least three games before Vancouver returns home next Wednesday, where he could eventually be called back up by the club.
In 36 games last season with Abbotsford, Lekkerimaki had 28 points (19 goals, nine assists), no penalty minutes and was a minus-three.
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