Vancouver Canucks Have Their Dark Horse for the 2025-2026 Season
Photo credit: vancouverisawesome.com
Jonathan Lekkerimaki has been impressing everyone during the Vancouver Canucks preseason, the 21 year old forward aims to make the main roster for their season opener against the Calgary Flames.
With a minimal amount of roster spots available, Lekkerimaki definitely set himself apart in their final preseason game against the Edmonton Oilers tallying two goals.
"Those players are - Aatu Raty, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Braeden Cootes, Arshdeep Bains, Linus Karlsson, Nils Aman and Max Sasson, all of whom have been working hard throughout training camp and the team's preseason games to prove that they're ready to be in the National Hockey League on a full-time basis."-Jaxon
Jonathan Lekkerimaki impressive in final test before final roster is set for the Vancouver Canucks.
Iain MacIntyre for Sportsnet covered Lekkerimaki's performance in his final preseason game with the Canucks against the Oilers.
"In the Canucks' final pre-season game, in Lekkerimaki's final audition as the 21-year-old tries to make the roster for the start of the National Hockey League season, the Swedish winger blistered a pair of one-timer past Edmonton Oilers' goalie Calvin Pickard as Vancouver rallied to win 3-2 in overtime at Rogers Arena."-MacIntyre
It's not just his shot that has people talking, his level of confidence and poise with the puck has jumped tremendously and his teammates are taking notice. Conor Garland raved about him following the game.
"I'm not an evaluator, but I just feel like he's a lot more confident. Three days ago in practice, five-on-five drill in the zone, he just had the puck and was moving with it. Maybe last year. . . he was not being as decisive. I think he can notice it. He's going to be a big-time player for us. It's huge that he's taken a great step for us.»-Garland
Lekkerimaki has done all he could to prove he belongs in the NHL, it will just be up to the head office to determine if he is ready or not. But from an outside perspective, he can definitely add a lot of offensive upside to the team this year.
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