The Vancouver Canucks’ prospects kicked off their 2024 Young Stars Classic with a 2-0 win against the Edmonton Oilers.
To say the least, the team performed well under new bench boss Manny Malhotra. They were gifted with steady and perfect goaltending and were dominant in almost every facet of the game.
Additionally, the South Okanagan Events Centre crowd in Penticton showed up in full force, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a regular season game than a showcase.
With that, here are a few thoughts on the game.
Veterans played like veterans
While the Young Stars Classic is primarily a tournament for “young” prospects, teams often bring a handful of older, more experienced players to provide stability. This year, the Canucks may have taken that a little overboard with several 23, 24 and even 25-year-olds.
That’s fine. All this means is that these grizzled veterans have no excuse for not showing up, and they had better play like the veterans they are — and they did.
The older group met expectations and set the tone for the younger players all night.
Arshdeep Bains, paired with Aatu Räty and Jonathan Lekkerimäki, was in constant motion and looked well above most of his opposition. The trio consistently applied pressure, with Bains orchestrating several shifts that kept the Oilers’ defence well on their heels.
Max Sasson, who recently turned 24, brought his typical game. Not only did he get the weekend going with a goal off the rush, but he stood out on the ice with poise and maturity in nearly every shift.
Even as his linemates Riley Patterson (18) and Danila Klimovich (21) had quieter outings, Sasson’s speed, work ethic, and on-ice awareness were evident. We’ve said it many times before, but we will say it again: Max Sasson should get NHL games.
In goal, Nikita Tolopilo approached the outing with his typical calm and composed game, making 21 saves for the shutout. Despite not facing many high-danger chances, Tolopilo was a steady presence all night between the pipes. With three goaltenders invited to the event, this may be Tolopilo’s only game of the weekend, and if that’s the case, he made his point.
Heck, even the recently signed 24-year-old defenceman Christian Felton, who scored only seven goals during his four-year collegiate career, looked like a purebred goalscorer.
The Jonathan Lekkerimäki show
All eyes were on Jonathan Lekkerimäki, and he didn’t disappoint. Making his much-anticipated debut at a Canucks event, the 20-year-old Swede quickly proved why he’s considered the organization’s top prospect and a dark horse candidate to make the Vancouver roster out of camp.
Lekkerimäki was a constant threat from the drop of the puck, electrifying the crowd with his dynamic play. Although he didn’t make it onto the scoresheet, it wasn’t for lack of effort. Lekkerimäki was inches away from scoring on multiple occasions, with shots ringing off posts and narrowly missing the net. His work rate was high, and he wasn’t afraid to engage physically, battling along the boards and in the corners.
Whether Lekkerimäki is ready for immediate NHL deployment remains to be seen, but his performance in game one was certainly a strong statement of intent. He did not need to score six goals to prove his worth, but as a higher-pedigreed prospect, he did need to stand out above the competition. And boy, did he ever.
Aatu Räty’s upped his stock
At just 21 years old, Aatu Räty is in the perfect age bracket for the Young Stars tournament, and his performance in the first game was exactly what the Canucks were hoping to see. Although he has already accumulated 126 games of AHL experience, he’s still a young kid with tons of roadway to develop. But in game one, Räty played with the composure and effectiveness of a seasoned veteran.
Räty’s journey with the Canucks has been a mix of highs and lows, and his first full season with the club in 2023-24 was no exception. Flashes of brilliance were met with periods of inconsistency, leaving most fans wanting more. However, his performance against the Oilers showcased all the work that he had clearly worked on throughout the summer.
As it did last fall, Räty’s skating looked improved, and he showcased physical, two-way hockey while offering numerous high IQ threaded passes – primarily to Lekkerimäki. If we’re being honest, he may have been the best player on the ice.
To put the cherry on top, Räty played and thrived at centre, which should be music to the ears of Canucks fans. Under the guidance of new coach Manny Malhotra, a noted centre guru, it would be a huge relief to have Räty find his footing consistently up the middle in the upcoming season.
Given the lack of an opponent and the overall environment of the weekend, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. However, to say that we were pleased with the Finns’ performance in game one may be a slight understatement.
The first game was promising, but there are two more against much more potent opponents. Check back after game two for more thoughts.
Whether you were in attendance or watching from home,
