Analyst debate on the perfect winger for Pettersson and Debrusk: Surprising name lights up the conversation
The Canucks' main training camp is just days away, and we're just about to see what Patrik Allvin and Rick Tocchet have in store for the teams' line-up.
J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser will kick things off on the same line, and the same thing will happen for Dakota Joshua and Conor Garland. By the looks of it, Elias Pettersson will be matched with Patrik Allvin's newest gem, Jake Debrusk, which makes for a very interesting top 9. But now, who fills the gap?
Danton Heinen may play on the top unit's left or center the third; the same goes for Pius Suter. But who plays on Petey and Debrusk's right is the intrigue.
Variety of options for Elias Pettersson and Jake Debrusk's wings
Satiar Shah and Dan Riccio discussed the Canucks alternative on Sportsnet650 earlier, which caused an interesting debate. It was first viewed as Nils Hoglander's place to lose, with Daniel Sprong coming in hot as a free agent. However, since the Young Stars classic started, Jonathan Lekkerimaki has surprised everyone and garnered attention for the role.
Lekkerimaki showed he had speed, skills, a tremendous shot, and the physical ability to take his game to the next level. Will it be enough for the NHL? We'll find that one out during camp, but the real question is, should he be given an opportunity on the Canucks' top player's side?
Jonathan Lekkerimaki: Elias Pettersson's linemates for the future
Pettersson has been signed for eight years, Debrusk for seven, and nothing indicates that Lekkerimaki won't be here for as many years. Right now, everything points toward the young Swede being the perfect goalscorer to play with these two.
Will it be this year? He might not, but if he's allowed to play at his level of skill and speed during camp, he won't disappoint. Let's hope he gives the Canucks' staff enough roster management headaches coming into camp. A line-up like this could be extremely dangerous moving forward:
Hoglander - Miller - Boeser
Debrusk - Pettersson - Lekkerimaki
Joshua - Blueger- Garland
Sprong - Suter- Sherwood
| POLL | ||
Would you play Jonathan Lekkerimaki alongside Jake Debrusk and Elias Pettersson? | ||
| Yes | 109 | 49.5 % |
| No, make him earn it first | 96 | 43.6 % |
| No, send him down | 15 | 6.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
