Top prospects for Vancouver Canucks

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the top five prospects for the Vancouver Canucks, according to NHL.com.

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1. Jonathan Lekkerimaki, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 15 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Djurgardens (SHL): 26 GP, 7-2-9
The Canucks see Lekkerimaki as a top-end offensive talent but will be patient with the 18-year-old, who will play with Djurgardens of the Swedish Hockey League for at least one more season. The 5-foot-10, 165-pounder split last season between the top professional league in Sweden and the J20 league with Djurgardens, with 35 points (20 goals, 15 assists) in 26 games at the junior level and nine points in the SHL.
Lekkerimaki also led the 2022 IIHF Under-18 World Championship in scoring with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in six games to help Sweden win the title. After battling mononucleosis at the end of last season, he was held to three assists in seven games and saw his ice time drop at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championships last month in Edmonton but is expected to play a bigger role at the 2023 tournament.
"He's got some separating skills," said former NHL forward and fellow Sweden-born player Mikael Samuelsson, who joined the Canucks in May as a player development coach. "We want to get him stronger. Sometimes you take three, four years to actually build their bodies and some guys figure it out right away."
Projected NHL arrival: 2024-25 season
Canucks 32 in 32: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Fantasy breakdown]

2. Jack Rathbone, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 95 pick in 2017 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Vancouver (NHL): 9 GP, 0-0-0; Abbotsford (AHL): 39 GP, 10-30-40
The 5-10, 177-pounder did not find the score sheet in nine games with the Canucks last season, but averaged more than a point per game in his first full season in the American Hockey League despite missing time with injuries. The skilled 23-year-old signed a two-year on July 1, and should get an opportunity to show if his offensive skills can translate at the NHL level.
"We've got high expectations for Jack," said Ryan Johnson, who worked in player development with the Canucks since 2013 before being promoted to assistant to the general manager in May. "We expect him to push to be on our team."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Aidan McDonough , F

How acquired: Selected with No. 195 pick in 2019 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Northeastern University (NCAA): 38 GP, 25-14-39
The Canucks pushed to sign the 22-year-old after he had a breakout last season but the 6-3, 190-pounder chose to return to Northeastern for his senior season, meaning he could play out the season and become an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 23, 2023.
But McDonough, who wanted to get his degree and take another shot at winning an NCAA championship, has praised Vancouver for its patience, insisting he still hopes to play for the Canucks and alongside Rathbone, a childhood friend. Depending how long Northeastern plays, that could happen late this season for McDonough, whose shot looked NHL ready at development camp.
"We got some guys that can shoot the puck," Johnson said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2023-24

4. Elias Pettersson, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 80 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Orebro (Sweden u-20): 37 GP, 10-8-18; Orebro (SHL): 17 GP, 0-1-1
The "other" Elias Pettersson is expected to play this season in the SHL as an 18-year-old after earning his first promotion to Sweden's top professional league at the age of 17 last season. It's a credit to the poise, puck-moving and physical play of the 6-2, 185-pounder, a good skater who projects as a reliable shutdown defenseman.
"He's tough to play against," Lekkerimaki said.
Projected NHL arrival: 2024-25

5. Linus Karlsson, C

How acquired:Traded from San Jose for Jonathan Dahlen on Feb. 25, 2019
2021-22 season: Skelleftea (SHL): 52 GP, 26-20-46
The 22-year-old surpassed the rookie goal record set by Canucks center Elias Pettersson in the SHL last season and Karlsson (6-1, 178) is confident his style and scoring will translate in his first season in North America. He is expected to start with Abbotsford of the American Hockey League but after impressing with his willingness to get to tough areas to score at development camp this summer, Karlsson has put himself in a good position for a potential call-up to Vancouver.
"I like his game," Samuelsson said. "I've liked him for three or four years. He's strong on the puck, he's smart, he's shifty, and he stays in the play."
Projected NHL arrival: This season