{"time":1794166853809,"blocks":[{"id":"Mb6XB-7Pe8","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"There hasn't been much for Vancouver Canucks fans to\ncelebrate this season. Though the losses have piled up, five young players are giving fans\nsomething worth watching."}},{"id":"IX3YF7SSrz","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"For Head Coach Manny Malhotra, those faces are familiar."}},{"id":"mJqcLRSiWU","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Malhotra spent two seasons coaching the Abbotsford Canucks, including during their 2025 Calder Cup championship run. Now he's in Vancouver, where Jonathan\nLekkerimäki, Linus Karlsson, Max Sasson, defenceman Elias Pettersson, and Tom Willander are\ntrying to establish themselves."}},{"id":"_wrCNUH_wM","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Karlsson helped Abbotsford win a championship while\nPettersson earned Malhotra’s trust defensively and Willander only played five\ngames in the AHL. Some spent years developing in the AHL, while others needed\nmuch less time. Each took something different from the experience that helped\nthem reach the NHL. Now they have to prove they belong there for the long haul."}},{"id":"0abc4976-724c-4ee2-9590-d5c9637bada6","type":"video","data":{"url":"https://media-cdn.roundtable.io/media-service/videos/0d987405-7d4b-4b4c-bf0d-fca35eb50f3b/mp4","caption":"","autoplay":false,"controls":true,"muted":false,"stretched":true,"width":0,"height":0,"image":{"url":"https://media-cdn.roundtable.io/media-service/videos/0d987405-7d4b-4b4c-bf0d-fca35eb50f3b/thumbnail"},"cdn":{"videoId":"0d987405-7d4b-4b4c-bf0d-fca35eb50f3b","libraryId":"372172","collectionId":"30032062-eefd-4041-a355-12ad05bc987b","cdnBaseUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net","mp4Url":"https://media-cdn.roundtable.io/media-service/videos/0d987405-7d4b-4b4c-bf0d-fca35eb50f3b/mp4","thumbnailUrl":"https://media-cdn.roundtable.io/media-service/videos/0d987405-7d4b-4b4c-bf0d-fca35eb50f3b/thumbnail","previewAnimationUrl":"https://vz-052fc010-b27.b-cdn.net/0d987405-7d4b-4b4c-bf0d-fca35eb50f3b/preview.webp"}}},{"id":"Smf6H83YjL","type":"header","data":{"text":"Jonathan Lekkerimäki: More Than Just a Shot","level":1,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"etMS9r5A1v","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Lekkerimäki came to North America with a strong scoring\nrésumé, having been selected in the first round by Vancouver in 2022, though he didn't end up playing in his first pro North American game until 2024. "}},{"id":"4rSCaCQVZQ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Finding the space to unleash that shot against NHL defenders was a different story."}},{"id":"0toeHhWmvg","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Malhotra worked with Lekkerimäki on puck battles, attacking\nthe middle, and becoming more reliable defensively."}},{"id":"7vX63CAwpS","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"From 2024-25 to 2025-26, Lekkerimäki scored 35 goals in 73 AHL regular-season and\nplayoff games under Malhotra. Through the quarter mark of this season, he is one\nof the team’s top scorers."}},{"id":"E7QYrj6lrC","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"After struggling to establish himself in the NHL, Lekkerimäki underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in February 2026. He entered the off-season with something to prove."}},{"id":"_hxagUYJsQ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"According to reporting by Patrick Johnston of Postmedia, Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson told Lekkerimäki\nbefore training camp that he would be a full-time NHL player, giving him an\nopportunity to develop without constantly worrying about making mistakes."}},{"id":"gRkZG5rowe","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Lekkerimäki has responded with resilience, improving other parts of his game while rewarding the team's confidence with goals and points."}},{"id":"T6Ys_LdCL9","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Lekkerimäki\nsaid in an interview with Canucks reporter Chris Faber in October that\nknowing what Malhotra expected helped boost his confidence. Malhotra\nacknowledged improvements in his puck battles and willingness to attack the\nmiddle, although more work remained."}},{"id":"jlDcc_usB4","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"His scoring seems to have paid off as of late, having strung together six goals and eight assists in his first 19 games of the season. However,\ncreating opportunities consistently against defenders who give him little time\nand space will be his greatest challenge."}},{"id":"HDiHTyzQ5v","type":"header","data":{"text":"Linus Karlsson: Knowing What Works","level":1,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"uljmD6RlCZ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Linus Karlsson isn't going to be winning many fastest skater\ncompetitions, but he doesn't need to be."}},{"id":"LiQVJ9d8vf","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Karlsson’s best-known attributes are his abilities to\nprotect the puck, win board battles, and find openings around the net."}},{"id":"zInZ8UHRCj","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Karlsson played the full 2025-26 season in the NHL,\nregistering 15 goals and 35 points in 79 games. He was tied on the team for the\nmost five-on-five goals (13) and had the highest amount of points by a\nVancouver Canuck at even strength (31). The majority of those points came from\nplaying in a bottom-six role."}},{"id":"NfSuR7fQQC","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In a May interview with HockeySverige.se done in Swedish, Karlsson credited winning the Calder Cup with helping his\nconfidence. Vancouver inked him to a two-year extension worth $2.25 million\nannually."}},{"id":"vjp2Zx2lr2","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Through Vancouver's first 18 games of 2026–27, the alternate\ncaptain has four goals and 10 points."}},{"id":"JRBfCV8Qmh","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"There’s no doubt his skating can improve, but how much more\nshould he adapt when his strengths already produce results?"}},{"id":"mz-jx4-E8x","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Malhotra saw Karlsson succeed without elite speed. He\ndoesn’t seem like a player who needs to completely revamp his game."}},{"id":"xEcoNmChci","type":"header","data":{"text":"Max Sasson: More Than a Breakaway Threat","level":1,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"FImiff68cI","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Max Sasson's speed creates breakaways, but becoming a\ndependable NHL centre requires more than offensive opportunities."}},{"id":"ecH9jUOspF","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In a February\n2024 Canucks feature, then-Abbotsford coach Jeremy\nColliton discussed Sasson's improvements in puck management and defensive\nresponsibility. Sasson was also noted to have stayed after practice to work on faceoffs with\nHenrik Sedin and Jeff Ulmer."}},{"id":"iCuqxaSUtp","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"He continued that work under Malhotra, although faceoff\nconsistency remains a challenge."}},{"id":"wYgXPtEcQp","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Sasson played 29 games in the NHL in 2024-25 but had a\ncareer-high 13 goals in 66 games in the 2025-26 season."}},{"id":"H6JM6gZwHg","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"He played with Karlsson and Drew O'Connor in the\nopening game of the 2026-27 season against the Edmonton Oilers. Their line contributed\ndefensively against Connor McDavid, who finished without a shot on goal. Sasson\nalso scored and assisted on Paul Cotter's overtime winner."}},{"id":"4f9fOqs-si","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In a February 2026 feature by Jeffrey Kennett,\nthen-head coach Adam Foote praised Sasson's defensive improvement. Sasson also\ndiscussed his work with the Sedins and wanting younger teammates to feel\ncomfortable approaching him for support."}},{"id":"tvK_T9Rl_f","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"His speed remains a weapon. His defensive reliability could\nbecome equally important."}},{"id":"pBgjgfLo_k","type":"header","data":{"text":"Elias Pettersson: Responding to Adversity","level":1,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"iVytJqCUzb","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Defenceman Elias Pettersson is known for his physicality and\nskating ability. However, he struggled through the 2025-26 season. Pettersson watched\nsome games from the press box and was sent down to Abbotsford on January 11th. He\nlater returned to Vancouver on January 18."}},{"id":"Ct5O1E45Vt","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In the\nCanucks' Building Blue\ncoverage, Malhotra discussed using Pettersson on the penalty kill, including\nfive-on-three situations, and late in games protecting leads. He also praised\nhis ability to disrupt attacks and move the puck out of danger."}},{"id":"oylzXO6xUN","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"He currently ranks fifth among NHL defencemen in hits with 44. "}},{"id":"oAYTOM3Kku","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"During Vancouver's October 3 victory over the Calgary Flames,\nPettersson scored the go-ahead goal after joining the attack. He credited Tom\nWillander with encouraging him to become more involved offensively."}},{"id":"ZEMbMaxyFI","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Pettersson should never abandon his physical game. He should,\nhowever, make better puck decisions and recognize when to jump into the play so\nhe could make himself more dependable."}},{"id":"DnlhwXzrUW","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"His demotion was a temporary roadblock. Now he has another\nopportunity to earn Malhotra's confidence in Vancouver. So far, so good."}},{"id":"BAevb-9e2X","type":"header","data":{"text":"Tom Willander: Development Beyond Five Games","level":1,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"H1t6Q5qcf0","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Tom Willander only played five games with Abbotsford before making his NHL debut in October 2025."}},{"id":"r4iGqJo9kt","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The Canucks’ 2023 first-round pick arrived from Boston\nUniversity, giving him considerably less time under Malhotra, compared to other\nVancouver prospects."}},{"id":"UQ95YWW3Cj","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"While some of\nhis teammates spent years developing in Abbotsford, Willander made the jump\nafter just five games. In a January 2026 interview with The Hockey News,\nhe credited the experience with giving him the freedom and confidence to work\non his game before joining Vancouver."}},{"id":"1lCbYpCZPU","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"During a\nDecember 2025 Canucks Insider\nPodcast appearance with Chris Faber, Willander discussed\nbuilding confidence and learning what worked in different situations. He also\ncredited former Canucks defenceman Marcus Pettersson with helping simplify the game. "}},{"id":"2wpNX755sm","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"By the beginning of 2026–27, Willander was averaging more\nthan 20 minutes per game."}},{"id":"EcuPXAyg7t","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In a May podcast appearance with Faber, he discussed the NHL's physical\ndemands and the importance of improving his conditioning."}},{"id":"GOvGM0gxbU","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Other prospects could spend years in the AHL preparing for similar\nresponsibilities. Willander is making those adjustments while already playing\nsignificant NHL minutes."}},{"id":"OTckuq5ZFM","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Reaching the NHL quickly was an achievement. Now maintaining\nhis effectiveness across an entire season, then seasons beyond that will be his\nnext challenge."}},{"id":"N9QIcQpwsr","type":"header","data":{"text":"Different Players, Different Paths","level":1,"linkUrl":"","anchor":""}},{"id":"8q5joRCQzZ","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Malhotra knows these five players from different stages of\ntheir careers."}},{"id":"Vo2s6zIjGL","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"He coached Karlsson through a championship, worked with\nLekkerimäki on his offensive game and trusted Pettersson defensively. He also\nsaw Sasson's development continue, while his time with Willander was much\nshorter."}},{"id":"HMOLckr-oF","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"So far this season, all five have remained regulars in Vancouver's lineup when healthy."}},{"id":"o4HtVI-KkV","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"But Malhotra isn't the only reason they reached Vancouver.\nJeremy Colliton, Adam Foote, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, veteran teammates and\ndevelopment staff have also contributed."}},{"id":"YMJS9gRrU5","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Winning the Calder Cup provided valuable experience, but AHL\nsuccess doesn't guarantee a permanent NHL role."}},{"id":"ehD2yRD_q2","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Malhotra's familiarity with their games could help, but each\nplayer must continue earning their place."}},{"id":"tQU-tcvZTj","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Reaching the NHL is one thing. Staying there is another."}},{"id":"fv0vGNXv-f","type":"image","data":{"caption":"Mar 24, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson (91) drives between Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tom Willander (5) and defenseman Elias Pettersson (25) in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images","withBorder":false,"withBackground":false,"size":"full","alignment":"center","linkUrl":"","file":{"url":"https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/70cc6e6a-9655-4d38-9c5e-1e759b4e16e2.jpeg"}}},{"id":"Hie2E10ZG_","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News."}},{"id":"fyB92ah8mx","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:"}},{"id":"WLRyLOaNun","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Canucks Prospect Potentially Denied Opportunity To Participate In The 2027 World Juniors"}},{"id":"0TXZDenXIN","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Canucks Put Forth Strong Effort But Fall 4-2 To The Oilers"}},{"id":"p3FaH8Qm6a","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Abbotsford Canucks Closing In On Franchise Home Win Streak Record"}},{"id":"_eIY7sBPpD","type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. 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