Canucks shake up lines and Lekkerimäki gets huge chance
The Vancouver Canucks have shuffled up their forward lines after last night’s 7-3 thrashing at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.
Discontent with how the team looked, head coach Rick Tocchet pulled out the blender during this morning’s practice at Rogers Arena. Before players took to the ice, the Canucks announced a bevy of roster moves, chief among them was top prospect Jonathan Lekkerimäki getting a call-up from the AHL.
If this morning’s lines are any indication, the 20-year-old Swede will be getting an enormous opportunity on Vancouver’s first line alongside J.T. Miller and Pius Suter.
Sportsnet 650’s Brendan Batchelor reported the new rotation of lines on social media this morning.
Sunday #Canucks practice lines
Suter. Miller. Lekkerimäki.
DeBrusk. Pettersson. Garland.
Heinen. Blueger. Sherwood.
Joshua. Räty. Höglander.Hronek. Juulsen.
Soucy. Myers.
Brännström. Desharnais.@Sportsnet650 pic.twitter.com/H5xThpIQDw— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) November 10, 2024
It’s certainly an ideal position for Lekkerimäki to be in as he prepares to potentially make his NHL debut on Tuesday night against the Calgary Flames. The former first-round pick has been lighting up the AHL with five goals and seven points through the first seven games of the season. He will have every opportunity to succeed in a premier spot if he sticks there.
Tocchet spoke highly of Lekkerimäki after practice.
“He’s just progressed at a really high level down there [in the AHL],” Tocchet told reporters. “It’s a huge piece for us, a guy who can make a play under pressure, a guy who’s got a good shot, thinks the game, can make plays. I’m excited to see how he plays.”
“Thinks the game. Can make plays. I’m excited to see how he plays.”
🗣 Head Coach Rick Tocchet speaks on Lekkerimäki joining the team, provides some injury updates, and more. pic.twitter.com/KEiDwFusHB
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 10, 2024
Dakota Joshua was also skating on the fourth line for the first time this season, indicating that he may be ready to return to the lineup as soon as Tuesday. He has yet to appear in a game with the Canucks this season as he recovers from surgery relating to a testicular cancer diagnosis over the summer. He will be joined by Aatu Räty and Nils Höglander, who moves down from the first line.
“I thought [Joshua] looked good today,” Tocchet said. “I’ll talk to [Joshua] either today or tomorrow and see where he’s at. Whether he plays Tuesday or goes to Abbotsford for conditioning, we don’t know yet, but we’re going to have to make these decisions in the next day or two.”
Conor Garland has moved down to the second line after playing on the top line against the Oilers last night. He will join Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk. The third line of Danton Heinen, Teddy Blueger, and Kiefer Sherwood remained unchanged at practice.
Quinn Hughes was not on the ice this morning as it was a maintenance day for the Canucks captain. Noah Juulsen was in his place next to Filip Hronek, most likely as a placeholder.
This is setting up for an interesting rematch with the Flames, who defeated the Canucks in dramatic fashion in the season opener and could be one to remember if Lekkerimäki does indeed make his debut.
Vancouver is sure to be hungry for a win on home ice.