Dreger: High interest on Arturi Lehkonen. Now in play for trade.

[General Fanager]

Yeah, I think you can rest easy that you'll get a first for Lehkonen if he is dealt. I don't think the Hagel deal really has any impact - the contractual differences make it an apples to oranges comparison. But Lehkonen is a fantastic mid-sixer with a game made for the playoffs and with team control (even if he won't be such a bargain in the future). If you are Montreal - you don't even pick up the phone unless a first or first-equivalent prospect is involved.

Im pretty sure I read that is the starting ask. Just to get the talks going....

 

[Price is Wright]

Habs should move him. He's getting crazy overrated in Montreal right now. People talking like he's a generational player who can't be moved. I would try to convince a team to take Armia with him just to get Armia moved out.

 

[ottawa]

Habs should move him. He's getting crazy overrated in Montreal right now. People talking like he's a generational player who can't be moved. I would try to convince a team to take Armia with him just to get Armia moved out.

Literally no one is saying that lmao. Habs fans for the most part agree that he should be moved if the right offer comes along...otherwise keep him, he can be a core piece in our middle 6.

 

[The Last Red]

Even if a first is the return, it’s horrible asset management. The guy is a good player, he’s not a UFA, and that pick is going to take a few years to develop. All while they could’ve had this player in their lineup.

And? The Habs aren't in a rush, and if they are somewhat, then they get valuable cap space by moving him and using the savings plus on a better player. So no, it's not horrible asset management.

 

[RC51]

look what Tampa just paid for Hagel. Nobody is getting anything for cheap. If you want to even try to keep up your going to have to give up what the seller wants. Of course you can just NOT KEEP UP and well we will see you next year

 

[The Last Red]

Maybe. Maybe not. Lehkonen has never come close to 20 goals, is older, and will demand at least double what Tampa is paying Hagel the next 3 years.

Really? Because according to the Google, he scored 18 goals in his rookie NHL season.

 

[Petes2424]

And? The Habs aren't in a rush, and if they are somewhat. then they get valuable cap space by moving him and using the savings plus on a better player. So no, it's not horrible asset management.

What does that achieve though? Where’s this guarantee whoever they bring in performs better?

They can still move him in the future if they need to. You just don’t trade one of your good players for the crapshoot of a draft. It’s horrible managers who do things like this. Unless they received some crazy offer, they shouldn’t even be pondering this.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Really? Because according to the Google, he scored 18 goals in his rookie NHL season.

And on pace for 18 again this year while mostly playing checking line roles on a low scoring team

 

[RandomTask26]

If they can get a 1st+, then I think they should trade him for sure. I like Lekhonen a lot, but the Habs have a lot of middle/bottom 6 players that are decent but have very little trade value (Gallagher, Byron, Armia, Pitlick, Evans, Poehling, etc). May as well sell high on the one that does

 

[admiralcadillac]

Maybe. Maybe not. Lehkonen has never come close to 20 goals, is older, and will demand at least double what Tampa is paying Hagel the next 3 years.

Well he was on pace for 20 3 times in his career lol, not including this one.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Habs should move him. He's getting crazy overrated in Montreal right now. People talking like he's a generational player who can't be moved. I would try to convince a team to take Armia with him just to get Armia moved out.

Armia had 2 assists last game, he’s heating up

It will only last 3-4 more games and then he will go ice cold til next season tho of course

 

[japhi]

I wouldn't trade him straight up for a 1st. We have 4 1sts next 2 years, 13 picks total next year...so far. 3 3rds and 3 4ths.

Less then 10% chance we would get a player as good for a late first, and would take 5 years to get there. And he is flying under MSL.

Would only move him for a younger, ready now type prospect. And would INCLUDE picks to get the right guy.

 

[Asif10]

well hey atleast we get to watch good hockey

I wouldn’t describe leaf’s hockey as good, honestly it’s crazy build ups just to be disappointed

 

[Honour Over Glory]

A bottom 6 tweener available? You have Mike Sullivan salivating at using him with Malkin or Crosby.

 

[Beendair Donedat]

Something around Barron from Colorado for Lehkonen as the base of a move. Habs need right handed defensemen, Colorado could use some help up front, make it happen!

 

[Eco]

I'd be disappointed if he was traded and the return was underwhelming. There's no reason for the Habs to actually trade him unless the package is too good to refuse.

Nothing that Hughes has done leads me to think this is a possibility.

MB is gone as is the pessimism. I have faith in this group of decision makers.

 

[WinterLion]

So...

Lekhonen is the new Chiarot?

 

[Lolonegoal]

If we are able to trade a salary like Armia or Hoffman befaore the deadline, i will be ok with keeping Lehkonen and give him 4M$ per for 4-5 years. But we definately have to shed salary for next season.

Why do you need to shed salary if you're mid-rebuild? Cap space is just used to acquire players to win. If you're not plan to winning, it doesn't really matter how you spend it or you're close to the limit. If you're clearing cap space, at that point then you're just doing the owner's accounting.

 

[HuGo Sham]

I wouldn't trade him straight up for a 1st. We have 4 1sts next 2 years, 13 picks total next year...so far. 3 3rds and 3 4ths.

Less then 10% chance we would get a player as good for a late first, and would take 5 years to get there. And he is flying under MSL.

Would only move him for a younger, ready now type prospect. And would INCLUDE picks to get the right guy.

this is the correct answer. he's a swiss arm knife. is he available? sure, but it needs to be a hockey trade. habs don't need picks or to dump cap. he's a good player. as usual, bergevin signed wrong guy. they needed to move on from Armia and Byron - both of whom have taken Lehkonen's money

 

[HuGo Sham]

So...

Lekhonen is the new Chiarot?

bad take-
sorry read it wrong.
you're a habs fan

 

[EveryDay]

How many better forwards are available right now?

Copp? Domi? Vancouver's forwards are available? Bertuzzi?

 

[AvStock]

How many better forwards are available right now?

Copp? Domi? Vancouver's forwards are available? Bertuzzi?

Domi doesn’t even belong in this conversation. And for the team that trades for Domi is looking at a first round exit.

 

[Lockin17]

Maybe. Maybe not. Lehkonen has never come close to 20 goals, is older, and will demand at least double what Tampa is paying Hagel the next 3 years.

funny how people are putting a price on a player only based on his stats,
You really don't know Lek .

 

[Scintillating10]

Hard to trade him. But I would do a first and McBain from Wild?

 

[BLNY]

Maybe. Maybe not. Lehkonen has never come close to 20 goals, is older, and will demand at least double what Tampa is paying Hagel the next 3 years.

Please give your definition of "close to 20 goals".

Artturi Lehkonen Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Artturi Lehkonen, a hockey player from Piikkio, Finland born Jul 4 1995 who was active from 2011 to 2024.

www.hockeydb.com