Pacific notes: Canucks, Pietrangelo, Smith

The Vancouver Canucks made a couple of roster moves today, allocation forward Jonathan Lekkerimäki to the Abbotsford Canucks of the American Hockey League as he recalled Max Sasson. Lekkerimäki was called up to Vancouver on 10 November following Brock Boeser was injured during a game against the Los Angeles Kings on November 7. His demotion could signal that Boeser is ready to return to the lineup, but Sasson’s call-up indicates he may not be quite ready to play just yet.

Lekkerimäki initially filled in for Boeser next JT Miller and got some extended looks at the Canucks power play. However, he struggled at even strength as the Canucks were dominated on the possession front (CF% of 45.5% according to Hockey Reference) every time Lekkerimäki’s line was on the ice. The 20-year-old has one goal in five NHL games this season and averaged just under 15 minutes of ice time per game. match.

In other Pacific Division notes:

• The Vegas Golden Knights have announced it defends Alex Pietrangelo is out daily with an upper body injury. The news provides the latest Robert Hagg remember a context as Vegas needs another body to back up, especially now that they are missing three NHL regulars from their defensive core. Pietrangelo joins Nic Hague and Ben Hutton both of whom are out of the lineup due to injury. Pietrangelo has had a strong start to the season with two goals and 12 assists with a +5 plus/minus in 19 games.
• San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky tells the media that he is not aware of any discussions about sending the Sharks on Will Smith to the World Juniors to play for Team USA (according to Max Miller of The Hockey News). Smith has struggled significantly in his first NHL season, registering just two goals and two assists in 17 games to go along with an abysmal -12 plus/minus rating. Given his play, it’s fair to wonder if the 2023 fourth overall pick is NHL-ready, but it doesn’t appear the Sharks have any plans to have Smith play in the Juniors this season .