Prospect Info: Mikko Lehtonen

[ACC1224]

Why so many you Leafs fans are putting Lehtonen to 3rd pair??? I don't get it.
Lehtonen is going to be either your 1st pair or your 2nd pair d-man.
#1 #2 or #3 d-man.

He just is that good.

No one has seen him play yet.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Why so many you Leafs fans are putting Lehtonen to 3rd pair??? I don't get it.
Lehtonen is going to be either your 1st pair or your 2nd pair d-man.
#1 #2 or #3 d-man.

He just is that good.

Which of Muzzin or Reilly do you think he's better than? Or do you think he'll switch to the right?

 

[justashadowof]

It's always a coin flip for this type of signing. Fortunately there are alternatives in the event he is unable to contribute. I don't care what the current stats are, the demands of the NA game are different and can expose less obvious weaknesses.

 

[Dayjobdave]

If Lehtonen cracks the top 4 because of ability, rather than injuries or regression by others, he will end up being a hugely impactful add.

 

[barriers]

My guess

Reilly-Brodie
Muzzin-Lehtonen
Dermott-Bogosian/Holl



As for him going straight from an ELC to UFA, I think that's a big part of the reason he chose Toronto. He picked an offense-minded team in need of cheap players in part to inflate his own point totals and capitalise on his 2nd NHL contract, which will likely be elsewhere should he succeed.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

Why so many you Leafs fans are putting Lehtonen to 3rd pair??? I don't get it.
Lehtonen is going to be either your 1st pair or your 2nd pair d-man.
#1 #2 or #3 d-man.

He just is that good.

Undrafted UFA usurps established Rielly, Muzzin, Brodie and Dermott at 27. Sure, maybe he turns out well, but you'd be insane to put him above those 4 right now. He hasn't played an NHL game.

 

[Zub]

Why so many you Leafs fans are putting Lehtonen to 3rd pair??? I don't get it.
Lehtonen is going to be either your 1st pair or your 2nd pair d-man.
#1 #2 or #3 d-man.

He just is that good.

1st pair off the bat? Lol nah, 2nd maybe, he's gotta earn that 1st spot. Plus you can't just claim him to be "that good" as he hasn't played at this level yet.

 

[Judas Tavares]

Yea good point and Left handed to boot. Not even sure why we bothered with this guy

Not sure who or what you are quoting cause they must be on ignore for me, but pretty unfortunate that it only took post #2 to have what apparently seems like someone shitting on the player. Especially after the OP was a standard post, nothing outlandish or a major hot take.

But am I surprised? Not at all. Sigh.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Not sure who or what you are quoting cause they must be on ignore for me, but pretty unfortunate that it only took post #2 to have what apparently seems like someone shitting on the player. Especially after the OP was a standard post, nothing outlandish or a major hot take.

But am I surprised? Not at all. Sigh.

It was a sarcastic comment about him barely being 6'0, not meant to bash the player. Let's all take a deep breath.

 

[EC]

...people talk about his offensive abilities can anyone give a good breakdown on his Defensive skills?

 

[The Iceman]

Let the guy transition to the league as a third pair D on his strong side. BOGO would be a great partner for him.

If he shows he can handle extra minutes, and maybe the right side, move him up.
But I think at least out of camp Keefe will want Muzz with a reliable defensive partner for potential tough match ups.

 

[PhiladelphiaKessel]

Why so many you Leafs fans are putting Lehtonen to 3rd pair??? I don't get it.
Lehtonen is going to be either your 1st pair or your 2nd pair d-man.
#1 #2 or #3 d-man.

He just is that good.

I like your optimism, but we have no idea how his game will translate to the NHL. Hoping for the best

 

[Brodeur]

Why so many you Leafs fans are putting Lehtonen to 3rd pair??? I don't get it.
Lehtonen is going to be either your 1st pair or your 2nd pair d-man.
#1 #2 or #3 d-man.

He just is that good.

Imagine there'll be a bit of a learning curve with new teammates, smaller rink, etc. Nothing wrong with starting on the 3rd pair and working your way into more ice time. When the Devils brought in a 26 year old Brian Rafalski in 1999, he had to start off on the third pair but worked his way up to play with Scott Stevens while also supplanting Scott Niedermayer on the 1st PP unit.

// if Lehtonen is anything close to Rafalski, my fantasy team would be grateful

 

[TheScandal89]

Why so many you Leafs fans are putting Lehtonen to 3rd pair??? I don't get it.
Lehtonen is going to be either your 1st pair or your 2nd pair d-man.
#1 #2 or #3 d-man.

He just is that good.

I havent really seen him play so I have my doubts but just imagine he's actually that good and for once we got a player of that caliber like that after failing so much at undrafted europeans signings. Mikheyev was really good too, at least pre-injury.

 

[meefer]

Imagine there'll be a bit of a learning curve with new teammates, smaller rink, etc. Nothing wrong with starting on the 3rd pair and working your way into more ice time. When the Devils brought in a 26 year old Brian Rafalski in 1999, he had to start off on the third pair but worked his way up to play with Scott Stevens while also supplanting Scott Niedermayer on the 1st PP unit.

// if Lehtonen is anything close to Rafalski, my fantasy team would be grateful

Rafalski you say. Yes, please

 

[Ropesman]

I have watched him play a few KHL games this year and he looks like a very smart player. Not really dynamic, more so making the correct smart play. Responsible in his own end and quite good at extending O zone possessions while walking the blue line. Real heavy shot, which we dearly need on the op, and a pretty good skater.

He is definitely one of the top 3-5 defenders in the KHL, and his game does look like it is suited to translate well... but how many times have we seen this scenario in years passed. I’m hoping he can be an outlier and come in and give our blue-line that last productive piece we need.

 

[Iapyi]

As far as I'm concerned the AHL is better than the KHL so getting a bunch of points there means nothing to me.

Most late addition by age dudes that come over from Europe are not particularly successful.

I like the signing though as it's worth the risk.

 

[MMANumminen]

AHL is not better than KHL lol. I'd start Mikko with 3rd pair and 2nd PP and move him there where he belongs

 

[stickty111]

Lehtonen not in the lineup today for Jokerit.

 

[Albatros]

Lehtonen not in the lineup today for Jokerit.

Thought to be among the Jokerit team members currently infected with COVID-19.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Thought to be among the Jokerit team members currently infected with COVID-19.

Goddamnit. If true hopefully he gets well soon.

 

[smitty10]

Goddamnit. If true hopefully he gets well soon.

Was told they're all pretty much asymptomatic. Should be fine once quarantine is complete.

 

[Fantomas]

Undrafted UFA usurps established Rielly, Muzzin, Brodie and Dermott at 27. Sure, maybe he turns out well, but you'd be insane to put him above those 4 right now. He hasn't played an NHL game.

What's so special about Dermott?

 

[Randy Randerson]

What's so special about Dermott?

he's been an elite bottom pairing dman for a couple of years, had a stretch last year as the team's #1 defenseman where he was very good while dragging around a partner that wasn't at the time (Holl). He's certainly a more known quantity than Lehtonen

 

[crump]

If he is as good as advertised, he’ll start getting more ice time after showing it. It didn’t take long for Mikheyev to prove his place as a middle sixer. It’ll be the same for Lehtonen if he’s the real deal. I see him pairing with Muzzin eventually.