Top Canucks Prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki's Future in Vancouver in Doubt After Playoff Struggles
This evening the future of top Vancouver Canucks prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki is in serious danger after a terrible string of events.
The AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks the Abbotsford Canucks are currently up 1-0 in the Calder Cup Finals.
The Canucks have been on an incredible playoff run in the AHL that has been mostly unexpected.
Despite the overall team success for the Canucks, top prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki has undergone a horrific playoff stretch now being scratched for the last several games.
The string of scratches comes as a bit of a shock as the Canucks have essentially abandoned one of their top young players in favor of AHL veterans.
With that being said, Lekkerimaki had struggled mightily throughout the Calder Cup Playoffs with just 5 points in 12 games.
Since being benched, Lekkerimaki's long-term future has been placed in doubt with the Canucks organization as a whole.
Canucks Top Prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki's NHL Future In Doubt After AHL Struggles
Over the last couple of weeks serious discussion has begun across the Canucks fanbase regarding the team's plan for Lekkerimaki.
Clearly, they believe his flaws are not fixable in the short-term otherwise he would be in the AHL lineup trying to work things out.
This has led to speculation not only about where Lekkerimaki will start next season but if he could be a trade piece.
Lekkerimaki's development dating back several years now has taken significant steps back compared to the incredible potential he once seemed to have.
In 24 NHL appearances Lekkerimaki had just 6 points, he then tallied another 28 points in 36 AHL games a respectable season but not nearly as good as many hoped.
Once the Abbotsford season concludes, Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin will have to determine if there is still a future for Lekkerimaki in Vancouver.
If the answer to that is no, they must explore trade options to try and salvage any value he may have left.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 14 | 164 ANSWERS Top Canucks Prospect Jonathan Lekkerimaki's Future in Vancouver in Doubt After Playoff Struggles Do you still believe that Jonathan Lekkerimaki can be an impact player for the Vancouver Canucks some day? | ||
| Yes | 87 | 53 % |
| No | 77 | 47 % |
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