Lekkerimaki‘s Strong Pre-Season Performance Positions Him for Canucks Roster Spot
VANCOUVER, BC - Jonathan Lekkerimaki’s performance throughout the Canucks’ pre-season culminated in a strong showing during Friday’s lineup, potentially securing a spot on the opening-day roster. The team concluded its pre-season schedule with a 4-2 record, demonstrating increased momentum under new head coach Rick Tocchet, who emphasized a faster, more aggressive style of play.
Lekkerimaki was slotted on a line with Phil Di Giuseppe and pius Suter in the final pre-season game against the Edmonton Oilers. While the official roster isn’t set, the team’s hockey operations department could designate Mancini, Pettersson, and Willander too the AHL on Monday to protect roster spots for additional forwards. Though, according to reports, all three players – mancini, Pettersson, and Willander – are expected to play for the Canucks this season.
“I think it looks really sharp,” Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko said after stopping 25 of 27 Oiler shots. “You can tell guys are on the same page.And that’s a credit to our staff, credit to the guys that have been putting in a lot of work. The continuity of the team out there seems really strong.”
The Canucks’ forward lines for Friday’s game were: DeBrusk-Pettersson-Boeser; Di Giuseppe-Couture-Lekkerimaki; O’Connor-Blueger-Sherwood. Defensively, the pairings were Hughes-Hronek; M. Pettersson-Myers; and Pettersson (junior)-willander.
The positive atmosphere within the Canucks’ dressing room represents a notable shift from the challenges faced during the previous season. Forward Conor Garland emphasized the team’s cohesion, stating, “From a team standpoint…we are a tight, tight group. We feel like we’re having a lot of fun every day.”
The regular season begins Thursday, and the results will now officially count.
