It’s August, and while most of the hockey world is either lamenting their team’s offseason moves or prematurely crowning their contenders, a quiet murmur has begun to circulate among the Vancouver Canucks faithful: Is Jonathan Lekkerimäki, the sharpshooting Swede, becoming underrated? It’s a compelling question, particularly for a fanbase that has seen its fair share of highly touted prospects. Let’s peel back the layers and examine where the hype train is, and perhaps more importantly, where it should be.
From Stockholm to Scouting Reports: A Golden Child’s Arrival
Remember the 2022 Draft? It feels like ages ago, but Lekkerimäki was the belle of the Swedish ball. Widely considered the top Swede available, he consistently popped up in the top-15 of most rankings, with some bold predictions even placing him in the top-10. NHL Central Scouting had him at ninth among European skaters, and The Hockey Writers’ internal scribes had him slotted between eighth and twelfth. This wasn’t just idle speculation; the kid had the goods.
His scouting reports read like a goal scorer’s wet dream. A “natural instinct for the creation and completion of scoring chances,” a “wicked slingshot of a wrister,” a “zapping one-timer,” and “slick mitts” – these weren’t adjectives thrown around lightly. Lekkerimäki wasn’t just a flash in the pan; his scoring prowess was evident from his U16 days right through to his J20 dominance. The consensus was clear: he was destined to be a top-six, goal-scoring winger in the NHL. That’s a high bar, a gleaming beacon of potential that sets expectations sky-high.
Navigating North America: The Rookie Rollercoaster
Fast forward to the 2024-25 season, and Lekkerimäki finally dipped his toe into the frigid waters of North American pro hockey. It was a baptism by fire that saw him split time between the Canucks and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Abbotsford. He made his NHL debut and, due to a Brock Boeser injury – a common catalyst for prospects getting their shot – played 24 games in Vancouver, potting three goals and three assists. His first NHL goal came in November, a moment undoubtedly etched into his memory, and likely into the highlight reels of many fans.
Down in the AHL, where the real grinding happens, Lekkerimäki had what’s best described as a “solid rookie showing.” Nineteen goals and nine assists in 36 regular-season games is nothing to scoff at for a kid adjusting to a new continent, a new rink size, and a significantly more physical game. He even tacked on three goals and four assists in 16 playoff games for the Baby Canucks. The Hockey News Canucks site handed him a B- letter grade for his efforts, a fair assessment for a player navigating such a significant transition. So, while not a world-beater, it was certainly a foundation to build upon.
The Devil in the Details: Consistency and Construction
Now, let’s get to the nitty-gritty, the areas that will ultimately determine if Lekkerimäki lives up to those lofty draft projections. The most prominent area highlighted for improvement is consistency. This isn’t exactly groundbreaking news for a young player, but it was particularly evident during the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. He found himself a healthy scratch for four games – a tough pill to swallow for any prospect – but credit where credit is due, he bounced back with a two-goal performance later in the series. Learning to maintain that level of play over an 82-game NHL grind is the next major hurdle.
Beyond consistency, there are the “under construction” facets of his game: defensive awareness and physicality. In today’s NHL, a pure offensive wizard without at least a serviceable defensive game is a luxury few teams can afford. Similarly, the ability to withstand and dish out punishment, particularly on the forecheck and along the boards, is crucial for a winger. These aren’t weaknesses that can’t be addressed, but they require dedicated effort and a willingness to learn the less glamorous aspects of the game.
Also on the EDGE – Canucks’ 5-Year Outlook: Can a Fortress on the Blue Line Save a Franchise Adrift?
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, the crystal ball suggests another split between Vancouver and Abbotsford. Injuries, as always, will play a significant role in determining his exact placement. And here’s where the “underrated” question gets interesting: the dreaded “sophomore slump.” It’s a real phenomenon, where players who had a decent rookie year struggle to replicate that success in their second go-around. However, Lekkerimäki has shown an ability to recover from slow stretches, a testament to his mental fortitude.
The Verdict: Not Underrated, Just Unfinished
So, is Lekkerimäki becoming underrated? The simple answer, based on the current information, is not yet. He’s not exactly flying under the radar, but nor is he consistently dominating the conversation in the way an Elias Pettersson or Quinn Hughes did at similar stages of their development. The “underrated” label often implies a player whose performance far exceeds public perception, and while Lekkerimäki has shown flashes of brilliance, his overall body of work in North America is still in its infancy.
What we have is a highly skilled, natural goal-scorer who is currently a work in progress. The initial hype was massive, and his rookie season, while solid, didn’t set the world on fire in a way that would cement him as an immediate NHL superstar. The areas for improvement are clear, and his ability to address them will dictate his trajectory.
Perhaps a better way to frame the conversation is that Lekkerimäki is currently in a crucial developmental phase. He’s not underrated; he’s unfinished. The potential for him to be a top-six sniper is absolutely still there, but the path is not without its bumps and detours. The discerning hockey fan will watch his progress closely, understanding that the raw talent is undeniable, but the refinement is ongoing. Don’t write him off, but don’t etch his name on the Calder Trophy just yet. The next season, with its inevitable challenges and opportunities, will tell us a lot more about whether Lekkerimäki is destined for stardom, or if the initial hype was, well, just hype.
Created with the aid of Gemini AI