Rick Tocchet praises Jonathan Lekkerimäki: Already in the coach's good graces

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Felip Gosselin
September 22, 2024 (8:45 PM)

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The Canucks just closed shop in Penticton as they're headed home to start the exhibition schedule.

The Canucks announced seventeen cuts following their annual intra-squad game and things are about to get tougher. Rick Tocchet was asked to comment on the camp's first few days, and he talked about certain veterans and praised some of the youngsters.

He first praised Nils Hoglander for his conditioning level. The young Swede came into camp in top shape as he dominated the team's skating fitness testing. Tocchet didn't stop there; he also addressed the team's 2022 first-round pick's performances.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki: Already in Tocchet's good grace?

Lekkerimäki performed well through the first days of camp and was noticeable through the intra squad game as well playing alongside Jake Debrusk and Elias Pettersson. The head coach went on to praise the Canucks' top prospect:

«There's a lot of good things. He checks the box on a lot of things,» Tocchet said when talking about the young Swede. «Now, it's real action with stiffer competition. That's what it comes down to. Give him some stiff competition, see how he can play on the small ice games, see him get to the net, see that shot. Like, there's a lot of different things, but definitely checks a lot of boxes for us.»