Canucks News & Rumours: A Healthy Chytil and Lekkerimäki Could Change Things

But sometimes the biggest change a team can make isn’t adding someone new. Sometimes it’s simply getting the players they already have back on the ice. Imagine what might happen with the Vancouver Canucks next season if they have some good luck with injuries to players already on the roster. Before writing off the Canucks as struggling through another season, what would happen if the injury cards finally fell in their favour?

Two players come to mind. Filip Chytil and Jonathan Lekkerimäki both had frustrating seasons for very different reasons. Chytil was trying to prove he could stay healthy long enough to become the player Vancouver believed they were acquiring. Lekkerimäki was trying to take the next step after injuries interrupted his development. If both players can return healthy, the Canucks might have more internal improvement coming than many people expect.

What If Filip Chytil Could Finally Stay Healthy?

When the Canucks acquired Chytil, they weren’t gambling on talent. That part was never the question. Chytil has always had the skill, skating ability, and offensive instincts that teams look for in a middle-six centre. The concern has always been whether his body would allow him to put everything together over a full NHL season.

Unfortunately, the injuries have once again become the story. Last season, Chytil missed 44 games because of an upper-body injury, then dealt with migraines after returning, before suffering a facial fracture when he was struck by a puck during practice. Add in the injury history that followed him earlier in his career, and it’s easy to understand why some fans have started wondering if he can ever become a dependable part of the lineup.

But that’s also what makes him such an interesting player to watch. What if he finally stays healthy? The Canucks don’t need Chytil to suddenly carry the offence. They need him to be available and to provide the type of responsible, skilled play that made him such an intriguing player when he was with the New York Rangers. A healthy Chytil gives Vancouver another experienced centre, more depth down the middle, and another player who can create offence.

He might not need a new chance. He simply might need a normal season. Chytil hasn’t had one in years.

What Happens If Jonathan Lekkerimäki Finally Gets Healthy?

Lekkerimäki represents a different kind of hope. With Chytil, the question is about rediscovering something that has already been shown. With Lekkerimäki, the question is about whether the Canucks can be patient enough to let a talented young player become the player they drafted.

The reason Vancouver selected Lekkerimäki 15th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft was obvious. His shot is special. His release is quick, accurate, and dangerous. He brings skills that can’t be taught. But becoming a regular NHL player means he needs to become stronger, harder to play against, and more comfortable competing in the hard areas of the ice.

That development became harder when a shoulder injury forced him to shut things down and eventually have surgery. It is hard for any young player to gain confidence when they are constantly trying to adjust while also managing an injury. The good news is that Lekkerimäki is still young, and the Canucks have time to make the right decision.

Maybe he starts in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Abbotsford Canucks and gets big minutes. Maybe he earns a spot in Vancouver’s lineup. Maybe he becomes the offensive winger the organization hoped to draft. The mistake would be making a final judgment based on his first 37 NHL games. He might simply be one of those young players who doesn’t need a change of scenery. He needs time and patience.

What’s Next for the Canucks?

The Canucks still have questions to answer. They need players to step up, better consistency, and for some of their young players to continue developing. Maybe I’m being optimistic, but I think there is a chance this team is closer than people think.

A healthy Chytil changes the depth at centre. A healthy and confident Lekkerimäki adds another offensive option on the wing. Those aren’t guarantees, but they are internal possibilities that don’t require a blockbuster trade or a major free-agent signing.

Every offseason, teams search for additions. Vancouver’s biggest addition might simply be getting a few key players back at full strength. Health is never a guarantee in hockey. That’s what makes this sport so tough to predict. But if the Canucks finally get some good fortune on the injury front, this could be a much more interesting team than many people expect.