Confirmed with Link: [TOR/CBJ] LD Mikko Lehtonen to CBJ for G Veini Vehvilainen

[Lauro]

Kind of sad after following his play in Finland in anticipation of him becoming a Leaf. But it is what it is and it's a good sign that the Leafs D is so strong this season that there was no chance for Lehtonen.

 

[Leaf Fans]

I haven’t hated a Leafs trade this much in I’m not sure how long.

Would love to understand the full rationale on this.

What was the last trade you hated this much?

 

[NinjaKick]

gotta wonder if Dubas or someone in his crew saw something in VV... Ballsy move... I like it

 

[Canada4Gold]

Remember the Finland fans calling him Veini Ventilation because he was so bad at the world juniors for 2 years. Was good for the last 2 years in the Finnish league. This year not so much.

This feels like the Leafs promised Lehtonen either playing time or a move when the signed him and since he didn't seem like he was going to get in anytime soon then the courtesy trade 2 months in after not playing much. If that's the case then I'm fine with it. You can't sign these guys and then screw them over. Especially since he was a UFA in the offseason there's no benefit to essentially letting him rot.

As for the asset acquired I don't expect much but without much value might as well get a goalie who can play for the Marlies with how the goaltending situation so far this year for us has left the Marlies bare.

 

[Machinae]

Alright, I kinda maybe mixed Vehvilainen and Kivlenieks up and now this doesn't look so good.

 

[LeafsFan89]

Those pads though...

 

[Carltons Cup]

Marincin's longevity with this organization is making him worthy of a spot on Legends Row.

 

[aingefan]

1. It’s a goodwill move for the player, and agents, and future free agents. I endorse this for approach.
2. Lehtonen is a UFA at the end of the year, and did not beat out Dermott.
3. Woll gets to play steady.
4. Proof positive that Toronto is having discussions with Columbus.
That’s more than enough for me.

 

[AllDay28]

How can anyone come into this thread and say “not good” when we’re discussing a 7th dman who was gonna leave as a UFA???

who cares if we got a bag of pucks back. Not a big deal.

 

[X66]

Sounds like good gesture thing for Lethonen to get him nhl pay and playtime.

Would still circle back to him in the off season.

 

[Stephen]

Josh Leivo
Mason Marchment
Mikko Lehtonen

Players destined for legends row, gone. Gone for nothing. Oh the pain, the pain of it all.

Not sure how I'll sleep tonight.

Mason Marchment has been surprisingly productive in his short stint with Florida.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Pretty much the Leivo 2.0 trade.

Dubas probably said he would move him if he doesn't get enough playing time and it seems Dubas is a man of his word

 

[Stephen]

Columbus seems to have a lot of goalies. Korpisalo, Merzlikins, Tarasov, Kivlenieks and it's a nightmare spelling all of their names. Vehilainen was probably the most disposable of the bunch.

 

[McSnypsky]

Josh Leivo
Mason Marchment
Mikko Lehtonen

Players destined for legends row, gone. Gone for nothing. Oh the pain, the pain of it all.

Not sure how I'll sleep tonight.

Tongue in cheek of course, but Marchment has 6pts in 9 games and Leivo scored 2 in Flames win last night

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Tongue in cheek of course, but Marchment has 6pts in 9 games and Leivo scored 2 in Flames win last night

Considering Marchment is producing better in the NHL right now than he ever has in the AHL I have a feeling he won't keep up this pace lol.

 

[diehardleafsfan9878]

There goes dubas again acquiring small players.

 

[X66]

I wonder if this is tipping that the Leafs will make a bigger D acquisition at the deadline than a forward one.

 

[mcleex]

How many letters away from Vasilevsky is Vehvilainen

 

[Super Mega]

best part of this trade can be seen right now with Woll playing with the marlies, looks good so far!

 

[Leafsfan74]

I look at this another way, for those who suggest it wasn't fair for Lehtonen to sit, was it fair for Dermott to be scratched in his place? This is a team going for it, the lack of exhibition games isn't anyone's fault.

In the end, he wasn't going to play and he becomes a UFA, so better to find a willing team. It seems the league wasn't over valuing Lehtonen, so, we add depth goaltending which might become more depending on the teams off-season when decisions must be made.

 

[Once]

We're going to see Marincin soon. Thats not good.

 

[hullsy47]

I look at this another way, for those who suggest it wasn't fair for Lehtonen to sit, was it fair for Dermott to be scratched in his place? This is a team going for it, the lack of exhibition games isn't anyone's fault.

In the end, he wasn't going to play and he becomes a UFA, so better to find a willing team. It seems the league wasn't over valuing Lehtonen, so, we add depth goaltending which might become more depending on the teams off-season when decisions must be made.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

Mason Marchment has been surprisingly productive in his short stint with Florida.

I had really high hopes for that kid...too bad injuries just followed him around. Would have been nice to have him on the 4th line.

 

[All Mod Cons]

How can anyone come into this thread and say “not good” when we’re discussing a 7th dman who was gonna leave as a UFA???

who cares if we got a bag of pucks back. Not a big deal.

I think it's just a bit of a laugh at the usual suspect Leafs fans. Labeling Lehtonen the best defenseman outside the NHL and a top 4 dman. Arguing on the main boards until they're blue in the face just how good Lehtonen is and how amazing he's gonna be.

Then, same fans are very happy that he was traded for the Jackets 3rd goalie.

It's just funny to laugh at.

 

[zeke]

Woll and Scott are better goalie prospects. I would take Akhtyamov over him too because he is younger.

Vehvilainen is in the same kind of range as Rubins/Duszak. They might surprise and make the NHL some day, but they are likely nothing more than depth guys.

Woll and Scott have legit NHL potential.

Disagree strongly.