As the NHL hits pause for the 2026 Winter Olympic break, the Vancouver Canucks are making the most of the downtime to keep their young talent sharp and game-ready. Following a 5-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, the team reassigned forward Jonathan Lekkerimäki, defenseman Victor Mancini, and goaltender Nikita Tolopilo to the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks.
The move gives all three players a chance to stay in rhythm with live game action while the NHL schedule is on hold until February 25. In a corresponding move, netminder Jiří Patera has been called up to Vancouver.
Let’s break down what this means for each player-and why these moves make sense for the Canucks heading into the Olympic break.
Jonathan Lekkerimäki: Staying Hot
Lekkerimäki has been a name to watch ever since he was called up to Vancouver last week. The 19-year-old winger had been lighting it up in Abbotsford, posting seven goals and four assists in just 11 games before his recent NHL stint. That production earned him a look with the big club, and while his five-game stretch with Vancouver was brief, he made it count-scoring a goal and even earning some time on the top power play unit.
This reassignment isn’t a demotion-it’s a strategic move. With the NHL on hold, Lekkerimäki gets the chance to keep building momentum in the AHL, potentially playing in as many as seven games before the league resumes. For a young forward still adjusting to the pace and physicality of the NHL, this is valuable ice time that could pay dividends down the stretch.
Victor Mancini: A Steady Presence on the Blue Line
Mancini’s season has been a bit of a balancing act between the NHL and AHL, driven largely by injuries on Vancouver’s back end. He rejoined the Canucks on January 12 and played in four games before being sent back down. During that time, he also logged four games with Abbotsford, where he chipped in a goal and an assist.
With two goals and six assists in 24 AHL games this season, Mancini has shown he can contribute offensively while continuing to develop his defensive game. Like Lekkerimäki, this Olympic break gives Mancini a chance to stay in game shape and keep refining his play in meaningful minutes-not just practice reps.
Nikita Tolopilo: A Breakout Season in the Making
Tolopilo has been one of the more intriguing stories in Vancouver’s crease this season. The 6-foot-6 goaltender has stepped in admirably during stretches when Thatcher Demko was sidelined, appearing in nine NHL games. His record-three wins, three losses, and an overtime loss-might not jump off the page, but his .910 save percentage leads all Canucks goalies, and his 3.04 goals-against average has kept Vancouver competitive in key games.
He came within a whisker of notching his first NHL shutout in a 2-0 win over Anaheim on January 29. But because Kevin Lankinen entered the game briefly while Tolopilo was being evaluated for a possible concussion, the shutout ended up being shared. Still, that performance underscored Tolopilo’s poise and potential as a reliable option in net.
Sending him back to Abbotsford ensures he stays sharp, especially with Demko expected to be back and healthy after the break. For a goalie still carving out his place in the league, consistent playing time is crucial-and that’s exactly what this move provides.
What’s Ahead
With the NHL on hiatus until February 25, the AHL schedule gives these three players a chance to stay busy. Abbotsford is set to play seven games during the break: a pair against the San Jose Barracuda on February 6 and 7, a trio against the Ontario Reign on February 14, 16, and 18, and back-to-back games against the Henderson Silver Knights on February 20 and 21.
That’s a solid stretch of competitive hockey, and for Lekkerimäki, Mancini, and Tolopilo, it’s an opportunity to continue their development while staying ready for whatever comes next-whether that’s a return to the NHL lineup or a deeper role in Abbotsford’s playoff push.
In the bigger picture, these moves reflect a smart, proactive approach by Vancouver’s front office. Rather than letting young players sit idle during the Olympic break, they’re giving them the chance to keep growing, keep competing, and keep pushing for a bigger role when the NHL season resumes.