The Vancouver Canucks are facing a tough situation as injuries continue to plague their roster, even before resuming play after the Olympic break. Filip Chytil is out with a facial fracture from practice, adding to the team's woes.
The latest setback involves their talented young winger, Jonathan Lekkerimäki, who is set for season-ending shoulder surgery. Despite the limited action this season-just 13 games with two goals and three points-Lekkerimäki showed promise early on. He took advantage of an unexpected roster spot after Nils Höglander’s injury, impressing with three goals in four preseason games and scoring on opening night.
However, injuries have been a recurring theme for Lekkerimäki. A significant one occurred during a game in Washington, sidelining him for nearly a month.
Once back in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks, he was on fire, notching 13 goals and 20 points in 21 games. His performance was remarkable, leading the team in goals despite playing less than half of their games.
Lekkerimäki’s journey has been marred by various setbacks since being drafted, including mononucleosis, a foot injury in Sweden, and a head-first crash into the boards in the AHL last season. He also dealt with a wisdom tooth infection that required removal.
The shoulder issue has been persistent, possibly dating back to the October injury in Washington. He also missed time around Christmas due to an undisclosed injury.
Despite these challenges, Lekkerimäki, one of the youngest picks in his draft class, remains a promising prospect for the Canucks. He won't turn 22 until July, leaving plenty of room for growth once he returns to full health.