Top Prospect Jonathan Lekkerimäki Is Proving to the Vancouver Canucks He Deserves to Be in the NHL
The Vancouver Canucks know that they have a special young player in Jonathan Lekkerimäki, and he's been doing all he can to prove them right with AHL Abbotsford.
Not only that, but after a two goal game on Sunday, the 20 year leapt to 2nd overall in rookie goal scoring, behind Frank Nazar who has been dominant with 11 goals and 13 assists in 20 games.
Lekkerimäki has been at the center of Abbotsford's offence in the games that he has played, launching the puck on net at will - enough to lead AHL rookies with 62 shots on goal.
The Swede is one of just four AHL rookies scoring at or above a point per game pace, and he's the youngest of them.
On Sunday the Abbotsford Canucks completed a weekend sweep of the Colorado Eagles, where Lekkerimäki added 2 goals and an assist to his season point total.
Jonathan Lekkerimaki Deserves another Call-up to the Vancouver Canucks
While Lekkerimäki starting the season dealing with an illness had him playing catch up out of the gates, the first year North American pro has also seen his scoring totals impacted in a way most rookies don't have to deal with - he's one of the very first call up options for his NHL club.
Lekkerimäki has already played 5 games with Vancouver, potting his first NHL marker, and could very well see more NHL action if the Canucks continue to grapple with injuries throughout the season.
While that will likely keep him from catching the leaders of the AHL rookie scoring race, his early pace has been impressive nonetheless.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 9 | 246 ANSWERS Top Prospect Jonathan Lekkerimäki Is Proving to the Vancouver Canucks He Deserves to Be in the NHL Where do you expect Jonathan Lekkerimäki to finish among AHL rookie scoring? | ||
| Top 3 | 117 | 47.6 % |
| Top 5 | 82 | 33.3 % |
| Top 10 | 47 | 19.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
