Foote compliments Lekkerimäki's complete game, suggesting Vancouver Canucks roster spot is next
There’s a fine line that separates the consistent NHL snipers from the likes of forgotten Vancouver Canucks like Reid Boucher and Hunter Shinkaruk.
To earn consistent minutes in an NHL lineup, a player has to earn their coach’s trust.
What’s the best way to do that? Make sure you’re reliable enough on defence to earn the opportunities on offence.
It seems like young sniper Jonathan Lekkerimäki has passed that baseline for the Canucks.
Of course, what caught the attention of fans was his two-goal night, with both goals being scored on one-timers from the left dot.
The first one occurred at the end of a power play and was set up by Braeden Cootes.
COOTES TO LEKKER! TOP CORNER 🎯 pic.twitter.com/w0Qb4wHtRm
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 4, 2025
Quinn Hughes found him for his second marker of the contest, which knotted the preseason game up a 2-2.
LET IT FLY, LEK❗️ pic.twitter.com/eCgPMLWDte
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 4, 2025
Conor Garland would score the overtime winner, giving the Canucks a 3-2 win to end their preseason.
But the story after the contest was clearly about Lekkerimäki’s performance.
He should undoubtedly make the Canucks team on opening night. They just don’t have enough players on the team who shoot the puck like him.
However, to stick around, he’ll have to earn the trust of head coach Adam Foote.
So far, he’s off to a good start.
“He knows how to take ice back ice and defend,” Foote told the media postgame. He knows reading the rush. He knows when to wedge it, be more safe, or get into a guy.”
Lekkerimäki acknowledged postgame that sticking around in the NHL isn’t all about the offence.
“I want to be an offensive player, so I try, of course, score some goals,” Lekkerimäki said. “But obviously, the details are important.”
“Feels good today, but tomorrow, I gotta work hard to stay up here.”
Lekkerimäki, who just turned 21 years old in July, has progressively improved throughout training camp and preseason.
He ends his preseason push to make the big club with three goals in four games, leading all Canucks players.
The Canucks have also outscored the opposition 3-0 when Lekkerimäki has been on the ice during his last three preseason games.
Although they’re inexperienced, the line of Evander Kane, Cootes and Lekkerimäki showcased some chemistry during preseason action. They all ended their preseason leading all Canucks forwards in expected goals for at even strength.
The next test for Lekkerimäki and Cootes will be regular-season NHL action. While that’s a big step up from the preseason, they’ve both passed the latest test with flying colours.