Lekkerimaki was learning how to play a more engaged game. Did wear and tear take a toll to where he now reportedly needs shoulder surgery?<\/p>\n
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Published Feb 21, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 1\u00a0hour ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n You can\u2019t teach what comes naturally to Jonathan Lekkerimaki.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n It\u2019s the other side of the game the 21-year-old Swede is slowly learning, but it may have taken a toll and has reportedly led to the call for shoulder surgery that will shut down his roller coaster season.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Vancouver Canucks<\/a> prospect, who has 13 goals in 21 games with the AHL affiliate in Abbotsford, was pushed to be more engaged at the NHL level in hopes of becoming a roster mainstay next season. He had just three points (2-1) in 13 games this campaign \u2014 and has nine points (5-4) in 37 career NHL games.<\/p>\n Canucks head coach Adam Foote figured Lekkerimaki being harder to play against might make goals easier to come by for the slight winger.<\/p>\n And maybe that\u2019s why Lekkerimaki, who projects as an eventual top-six mix contributor, was a fourth-line winger Feb. 2 in Salt Lake City. After all, that alignment assignment is to forecheck hard, don\u2019t get scored on, and don\u2019t take penalties. He logged just 12:03, and 8:54 at even strength, didn\u2019t have a shot, but had two blocks in a 6-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth.<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s learning to get into guys,\u201d Foote said of the 15th-overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft. \u201cWhether it\u2019s defensively when it\u2019s his turn to go up the wall into defencemen pinching, or even on the power play on the half wall, there are times when you\u2019ve got to get into guys quicker when they\u2019re in that press and keep pucks alive. He\u2019s going to get it. He\u2019s a smart guy.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s more the slot area. We want to use that shot and ability. We\u2019ll teach him ways to be more comfortable against bigger guys. That will come.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s that compete level to get into prime scoring areas and hold his ground that must improve. Lekkerimaki is waiver exempt, so he was going to see some games in Vancouver, but they should have always been merit based, rather than just a recall because of injuries. He\u2019s still young but needs to starting moving the meter to become a complete player.<\/p>\n Lekkerimaki was also in need of a summer like none other to build muscle and strength to win those NHL battles. How long he\u2019ll be sidelined before adding to his frame has yet to be determined. And, of course, any kind of shoulder procedure could affect Lekkerimaki\u2019s shot and durability.<\/p>\n OVERTIME \u2014 Olympians Elias Pettersson<\/a>, Filip Hronek<\/a>, Teddy Blueger<\/a> and David Kampf back on practice ice Saturday at UBC.<\/p>\n bkuzma@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n![\"alt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/cp175721137_301118149.jpg\")
Utah Mammoth centre Nick Schmaltz is checked by Vancouver Canucks right winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki on Feb. 2 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo by Melissa Majchrzak \/APArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.6.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Jonathan Lekkerim\u00e4ki has NHL calibre shot, but needs to bulk up to better engage in wall and slot play at top pro level. Photo by Derek Cain \/Getty Images<\/p>\n
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