Canucks: AHL playoffs pivotal for Abbotsford forwards in NHL roster push
Playoffs are always the prime proving ground.
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It's where the evaluation process heightens amid expectations to elevate games to the next level. It's a rite of passage to the NHL.
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The Vancouver Canucks ' AHL affiliate in Abbotsford opens its best-of-five Pacific Division final against the Colorado Eagles on Friday on home ice. It has never advanced that far and a strong team game emphasizing will and skill will be imperative to move on to the Western Conference final.
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That's where it will get interesting. How Linus Karlsson and Jonathan Lekkerimaki perform in the series will be another indication of what could await next fall in Vancouver with more regular NHL employment.
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And if injured centre Aatu Raty returns Friday, the trio knows exposure to Vancouver Canucks assistant coach Adam Foote this season was vital. He became Vancouver's bench boss Wednesday to replace Rick Tocchet, who's bound for Philadelphia. And like Tocchet, there will be a demand to be dialed in on the details.
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Linus Karlsson
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Karlsson, 25, knows what it takes to play and stay in the NHL. Abbotsford head coach Manny Malhotra has pushed the Swede to lead and his five points (3-2) in seven AHL playoff games are a good sign.
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He has scored 70 goals in 170 AHL regular-season games, including 23 in 32 outings this season, but the list of gunners who pile up 30 goals in the AHL but can't pull the trigger in the bigs is long and legendary.
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And those who make the leap must tailor their games and, to his credit, Karlsson has done the work. He has the pace and can make plays. Consistency is now the challenge.
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'Good with details around the net, tips and finding the soft areas. That's were I will grow the most,' Karlsson told Postmedia News. 'Every game I've been up here (NHL) is like a playoff game. I have to bring something. Make sure I'm on guys, set screens and be good defensively.
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It was rare bravado from the soft-spoken winger. His first NHL skills show release in the fourth round of the shootout did the talking to seal a 4-3 win and confirmed that his shot is legit and confidence is high. And for Lekkerimaki, 20, that will be his ticket because it's one element you can't teach.
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