Canucks demote top prospect Lekkerimaki

The Vancouver Canucks assigned forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki to their AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, on Thursday.

Lekkerimaki, the organization's top prospect, made his NHL debut in a win over the Calgary Flames on Nov. 12. He scored his first goal in the league two nights later in a loss to the New York Islanders. However, he failed to notch any other points over five games in total.

The 20-year-old has five goals and two assists across seven games with Abbotsford this season.

Lekkerimaki, who the Canucks drafted 15th overall in 2022, starred for Sweden at the 2024 World Junior Championship.

He scored the game-winner against Czechia to help the Swedes advance to the gold-medal game, which they lost to the United States. However, Lekkerimaki was named tournament MVP after tying for the goal-scoring lead among all skaters with seven in seven contests.

The Canucks recalled forward Max Sasson in a corresponding move Thursday. The 24-year-old hasn't yet played in the NHL. He has four goals and five assists in 16 games with Abbotsford in 2024-25, his third campaign with the farm club.