Canucks assign Jonathan Lekkerimäki to AHL Abbotsford

Lekkerimäki, 21, turned heads at training camp this season with his increased willingness to get into the dirty areas and his powerful shot. He turned that into a strong preseason, where he scored three goals and one assist in the final three exhibition games.

The Swede’s efforts were enough for him to make the NHL out of training camp. Lekkerimäki carried over that hot streak into opening night against the Calgary Flames, when he scored the Canucks’ fourth goal of the game halfway through the third period.

Through the first three games, Lekkerimäki was paired with 2025 first-round pick Braeden Cootes. That was the only runway the two youngsters would get, as Cootes was returned to his Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL, and Lekkerimäki was made a healthy scratch.

After sitting out for two games, Lekkerimäki returned against the Washington Capitals. He lasted just one period as he was injured after receiving a hit in the first period. He missed the next 12 games and was then returned to AHL Abbotsford.

On a struggling Abbotsford team, Lekkerimäki stepped up and gave the lineup some spark. He scored three goals and five points in five games, registering 20 shots on goal. While his efforts weren’t enough to earn a victory for the Canucks, he was summoned by Vancouver after his scoring spree.

Since his recall, Lekkerimäki picked up an assist against the Utah Mammoth, but registered just one shot on goal in his four games. He played a season-low 6:35 in Saturday night’s win over the Minnesota Wild. Before the game, Head Coach Adam Foote announced that the returning Evander Kane would be replacing Lekkerimäki in the Canucks lineup. But once Elias Pettersson was ruled out with an upper-body injury, Lekkerimäki drew back in.

This now leaves the Canucks with an open roster spot, with forward Nils Höglander expected to return at some point during this homestand.