After a short, six-game stint with Abbotsford to close out the 2023-24 season, Lekkerimäki is in North America full-time for 2024-25. His training camp and preseason showed that his game is fairly close to the NHL. So far, his production has echoed that. In 21 games with Abbotsford, Lekkerimäki is consistently one of the best players on the ice. He has 12 goals and drives plays for his line. He is a consistent goal-scoring threat and has continued showcasing his prowess. In the NHL, he’s played in five games and spent the majority of the time in the top six. He only has one point, a goal, but he has shown the ability to hang with the big club despite just one point. It will be interesting to see how much more time Lekkerimäki sees in Vancouver as the Canucks continue their playoff push.

After a season in the Allsvenskan last year, this season marks a return to the SHL for Lekkerimaki with Orebro HK. In 31 games, he has been one of the best players for his team, ranking second in goals with 10 and tied for third in points with 19. In December, it was unsurprisingly announced that Lekkerimaki was selected for the under-20 tournaments. In seven games with the Swedish U20 team, he displayed outstanding performance with seven goals and 10 points, clearly showcasing that he was on another level. It would not be surprising to see him in the NHL very soon.

Despite initial doubts, Lekkerimäki made a remarkable comeback, not only with regards to his health, but his play on the ice. The 18-year-old sharpshooter returned for Djurgårdens’ playoff run and caught fire, recording a point-per-game and finishing fourth in playoff scoring with an impressive 15 points (5G + 10A). His game showcased a significant transformation compared to just months earlier. Fresh off his strong performance, the Canucks wasted no time in signing him to an entry-level contract. However, rather than a transition to the North American ranks immediately, Lekkerimäki opted to sign a new deal with Örebro (SHL), where he will suit up alongside fellow Canucks prospect, Elias Pettersson. Assuming he is offered worthy minutes, this move presents a positive challenge for Lekkerimäki, as he aims to further develop his skills at the highest tier in Sweden, where he previously posted nine points in 27 games during his draft-eligible season. This experience will serve as valuable preparation before his hopeful transition to British Columbia the following year.

It’s been a tough season for the Canucks’ 2021 first-round pick, to say the least. From lackluster statistical output, and a disappointing performance at the WJC, to a series of injuries, things did not go as planned in his draft plus-one campaign. After being selected 15th overall last summer, Lekkerimäki struggled in his first season at the Allsvenskan level after his former SHL team, Djurgårdens IF, was relegated. He contributed just three goals and accumulate nine points over 29 games before being sidelined by a season-ending foot injury. Of course, given his age (18) and distinct offensive potential, there is no need to hit the panic button. He will remain in Sweden for 2023-24, where he will look to build and prove his worth before making the leap overseas. Dear fantasy owner: hold pat, for now.

Lekkerimäki has been selected by the Vancouver Canucks with the 15th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.