Patrik Allvin interview: Canucks’ recent success, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Elias Lindholm and more
This story appeared on hockeysverige.se this week and has been translated from Swedish to English.
When Patrik Allvin took over as general nanager of the Vancouver Canucks in January 2022, the Canucks were a bottom-tier team in the NHL.
Already by the 2023/24 season, he played a significant role in the transformation that turned the team into one of the best in the NHL, reaching Western Conference semifinals where Edmonton won the series 4–3.
His success didn’t go unnoticed: Allvin was nominated for Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award this past year. Although he didn’t win it, it shows how highly regarded he is in his role.
“Of course, I was happy,” Patrik Allvin said. “It’s the league’s other general managers who vote. I believe all individual awards come when the team is doing well. It’s the team’s results that drive individuals. I’m glad to be part of the team. The players, coaches, and my staff have made it possible for me to be nominated.”
Isn’t it also proof that you’ve done something right?
“Yes, that’s definitely the case. It was certainly a great honor to be nominated for such a prestigious award, especially considering the other candidates who were also nominated.”
What were the most important areas to address when you took over the Canucks?
“That’s a good question… There were two things. One was to establish a structure for the organization off the ice—how we would work and what type of players we would bring into the team. The other was also to get coaches in place who could execute the style of play we wanted in both the NHL and AHL.”
Being a GM for an NHL team was a role no Swede had held before, but Allvin didn’t experience any issues with that.
“There has been a strong Swedish culture here in Vancouver for many years. Perhaps the strongest in North America. In this way, the previous players here have paved the way for respect towards Swedes, and that includes me. I feel very welcome. I was immediately respected and accepted, which felt great.”
Do Swedes have a high status specifically in Vancouver?
“Yes, I think so. Over the years, we’ve had incredibly good Swedish players here. We can go back to Thomas Gradin, who was one of the first Swedes here, as well as ‘Peo’ Brasar, up to the ‘Sedins’ (Daniel and Henrik Sedin), and today Elias Pettersson and Nils Höglander. The Swedish players have been very respected both on and off the ice.”
Henrik and Daniel Sedin now work within Vancouver’s organization, something Patrik Allvin is very grateful for.
What are your thoughts on their future within the organization?
“That’s something they themselves will decide based on their family situations. Clearly, it was important for me that if we were going to implement a certain way, culture, and standard in the organization, we had to involve the Sedins. When you have people like Daniel and Henrik who have represented that culture over the years, it was extremely important to keep them in Vancouver. Both in terms of how they work and also to see what the Canucks mean to them. They don’t have egos; they want to see the young guys succeed. In that way, Daniel and Henrik have meant a lot.
“When they were inducted into the Hall of Fame, it showed the impact they made and the respect they earned after their 18 years in the NHL. Their behavior on and off the ice, how professional they are—Henrik and Daniel are unique in that they played at such a high level and gave back to hockey here in Vancouver all those years. They carry immense respect with them.”
Vancouver had its best season in quite a long time last year, a season that Allvin is satisfied with.
“I think we managed to establish a style of play that we believe in. We succeeded in developing our game throughout the season. We also managed to develop individuals, constantly improving and taking steps forward. It didn’t quite go all the way. I believe the players who have been part of this journey want more and are preparing themselves very well this summer to come back in a few weeks and start again. For us, it’s just a matter of looking forward, continuing to develop our game, and pushing the players and the team to take the next step. The league is extremely competitive, so we can’t just rely on what we did last season. We constantly need to look ahead and try to improve, or else other teams will catch up.”
Can you tell in the City of Vancouver that the team was successful this past season?
“Yes, there was immense enthusiasm, and it was great to see how much hockey means to people here in Vancouver and Canada. It has actually been fascinating. You really understand how important success and joy are to the people here.”
Speaking of success, Patrik Allvin was involved in buying out Oliver Ekman Larsson from his contract with Vancouver last summer. The Swedish defenseman ended up in Florida, where he got to be part of winning the Stanley Cup.
“I think it was really great for Oliver, who is a very good person. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out here. When you earn a lot of money, as he did here, there are also higher expectations.”
One player who joined Vancouver during the season was Elias Lindholm, who was left unsigned and joined the Boston Bruins. Lindholm, who signed a seven-year contract worth 570 million SEK, was a player they would have liked to keep in the organization.
“Definitely, and it was something we tried to achieve. Unfortunately, in the end, we couldn’t afford to keep Elias. I wish him all the best in Boston. He played really well for us during the time he was here.”
How do you view his performance during his 40 games for Vancouver?
“What Elias meant for us was that we became stronger in the center positions. He played incredibly important ‘match-up’ roles during the playoffs. He took on the opposing teams’ better players. Additionally, he is skilled in face-offs and strong in the penalty kill, so he meant a lot to us.”
A player Allvin has given a longer contract to, and believes in, is Nils Åman.
“I hope that Åman continues to develop and has a good summer. In the last few months of last season, he started to assert himself more and wasn’t just too nice on the ice. He is very well-liked and respected within the group. Additionally, he can play both as a center and on the wing. It’s important to have players who can play in two different positions.”
For the upcoming season, Jonathan Lekkerimäki will also come over to try to secure a spot in Vancouver.
“It’s going to be exciting. Jonathan was here and showed what he could do in the farm team during the spring. He did very well. I hope he got an understanding of what is required on smaller rinks. It will be interesting to see him at camp when everything kicks off. After that, it’s up to him where he will end up, but we are very happy to have Jonathan here and to continue working with him. He is a very talented player. We need to respect his age and experience as well, so there’s no rush—when he is physically and mentally ready, Jonathan will show where he wants to be.”
Could he possibly play in Sweden next season?
“No, I don’t see that. I see him staying here to continue his development.”