Jonathan Lekkerimäki Scouting Reports

Lekkerimaki has established himself as one of the top prospects for the Canucks organization
As of January 20th - playing in SHL for Orebro - 27GP - 10G - 7A
Coming off a fantastic World Junior Championship - 7GP - 7G - 3A for Team Sweden
Named tournament All-Star and overall tournament MVP
Rips pucks from the weak-side flank. Wastes zero time directing play on net. Has proven he can beat goalies clean from distance. Playing quick and fast. Has the skill to be a threat off the rush and beat opponents 1vs1. Defensive detail is average plus. Secondary battle in the trenches is much improved. Top 6 NHL forward prospect / goal scorer / PP contributor

Last season didn't go the way Lekkerimaki planned, due to injury and some uneven play when healthy, but he's bounced back nicely this season and back to playing to his identity offensively. Lekkerimaki possesses a fantastic release. He's a threat to rip pucks from the weak side flank on the power-play. He's also the kind of forward who sniffs out open ice in the neutral zone and takes advantage when he sees an open lane to attack off the rush. He's slotted to play on one of the Swede's top lines and power-play units. Lekkerimaki isn't a pure burner, but he's sneaky quick. Vancouver selected Lekkerimaki in the first round (15th) in 2022.

His last ten game segment, before sustaining a season ending injury, produced (3g - 5a). He was being used at even strength and the power-play and finally playing to his identity and strengths. When he is pushing the play, through the neutral zone with the puck on his stick, he has the ability to create offense. On the power-play he can be dangerous working off the back door flank - one timing or catching and releasing pucks to the net aggressively. There is no question his element is offense. The rest of his game needs to evolve if he is going to be an NHL point producer. He needs more interior drive and secondary battle in all three zones.

Has struggled so far in 22/23.
His offense has been slow to materialize.
The kind of player who needs to contribute offensively to have impact on overall team results. His three zone detail, and off the puck effort, ranges. He takes risk anticipating where pucks will end up and has a habit of leaving his zone without possession.
Has a history of scoring timely goals. Elite release. Goal scorer more than playmaker.

His element and potential upside is easy to identify. Lekkerimaki brings offense.
He's an elite shooter.. A massive threat to produce on the power play. Jonathan has the ability to play quick and fast when he wants. This is the kind of player who will drive coaches crazy with his lack of detail on the defensive side. He will also score timely goals that lead to wins. He projects as a top six, or middle six, forward at even strength and a first unit PP contributor who might also win a team games in OT or shootouts.