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

[OVO16]

I cant people are really freaking out about this lol. Im sure Dubas will add another depth Defenseman for the playoff run.

This probably came down Lehtonen wanting more playing time coming over from the KHL. He didn't come over here to be sctratched. Dermott has clearly outplayed him

 

[NK94]

Simmer down guys.

 

[123offtheglass]

We absolutely need some D depth now, having him sitting as a 7th D was a luxury. Good player that barely got his foot in the water.

 

[zeke]

Just remembered Aaron Dell.

NHL 3gms, .877
AHL 1gms, .839

 

[Dayjobdave]

Bye bye Freddy

Yes but now Morgan stays...

 

[JT AM da real deal]

seriously?? our GM is that much a little bitch??

a player that has no standing to push his agenda ,,takes trump card over the need of D depth in the POs,,when your #1 D replacement is on the IR?

I think it is more like he had to free up room to add a depth VET defender, like a
Jamie Oleksiak


for playoffs

 

[Carltons Cup]

The overreactions in here are as if we just traded Matthews.

This is nothing more than an AHL depth move. Step off the ledge folks....

 

[Superstar]

Marincin inches closer.

To retirement or a new contract?

 

[notbias]

We absolutely need some D depth now, having him sitting as a 7th D was a luxury. Good player that barely got his foot in the water.

Why do we need depth D? Sandin, Liljegren, and Rosen are around Lehtonen's level.
People are acting like we just traded Rielly, relax, we traded our 7th D and have capable bottom pairing Ds in the system.

 

[7even]

Too bad, I think Lehtonen is a legit NHL defensemen. .

At least we c**k blocked the Habs

 

[Matthews4Calder]

We were in a 3 game losing streak and Keefe just kept going with the same D? Ok maybe in a regular season but why do these coaches refuse to rotate in a condensed season? Unnecessary trade, there was no reason not to give guys like Lehtonen a game here or there, he would've eventually won a spot imo. And he wasn't a liability either so I don't see the point of this. Basically gave away a potential #4 dman for free it seems due to impatience.

Agree 100%. Dumb, dumb trade.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Well that whole experiment was weird.
Some had him in the top 4.

 

[Crosscrease14]

Yeah it was either this or he bolts to the KHL. Dubas wants to do right by the player so it's fine. The asset returning is insignificant.
What this does is make sure nobody blocks Sandin and Liljegren when we need them.

Isn't Vehviläinen pretty similar to a goalie version of Lehtonen? Great in Liiga and hasn't made an impact yet in NA. He's also 24 vs Lehtonen at 27 so he has some time.

I think the leafs will look for someone who can fill the Bogo/Holl/Muzzin role in a pinch as depth. Lehtonen might turn out to be good but he was never going to be that.

 

[stickty111]

Agree 100%. Dumb, dumb trade.

Or we needed to give Lehtonen a chance somewhere else. If we just kept him without giving him another chance, it would ruin our relationship with European free agents

 

[stickty111]

Isn't Vehviläinen pretty similar to a goalie version of Lehtonen? Great in Liiga and hasn't made an impact yet in NA. He's also 24 vs Lehtonen at 27 so he has some time.

Yeah he could work out. It's just a very minor asset. I wan't knocking him or anything.

 

[hotpaws]

Marincin inches closer.

you just ruined my weekend . lol

 

[All Mod Cons]

Deals like this can help keep the Leafs' reputation with Russian UFA's solid. If they can't give them the opportunity with their club, they'll try to get them an opportunity elsewhere.

Sign for the Leafs and you'll find yourself playing for Columbus.

Hugely attractive.

 

[Twine Tickler]

People melting down over this trade need to pump the breaks. Sometimes doing whats best for the player works out in your favor. How do you think KD has been able to sign so many players at or close to league minimum. It doesn't come by health bombing a guy for a whole season, I'll tell you that for free

 

[Primary Assist]

Aw bummer, I had hopes for Lehtonen. At least this new kid shares a birthday with Sundin, maybe he'll become the next Leafs legend?

 

[PromisedLand]

Both Mikko and Veini two way contracts. same aav not sure we are saving much on the cap.

I guess this move allows Mikko to hopefully get some NHL icetime and Woll to get some starts in AHL. Also given we have Rosen and Marincin (both LHD); I doubt we make a deal for another d-man. My guess is if we deal for a forward Veini might be thrown in as well.

Galchenyuk is not counting against the cap yet (about 1AAV); if he comes in there is probably going to be some cap gymnastics

 

[hoglund]

I wonder if Campbell is more hurt than reported or are they trading Andersen.

 

[zeke]

We were in a 3 game losing streak and Keefe just kept going with the same D? Ok maybe in a regular season but why do these coaches refuse to rotate in a condensed season? .

Because the leafs were dominating throughout those losses.

 

[hotpaws]

would have been nice to see what we had before we moved him

probably a nothing trade but their the one's getting some potential upside from this deal

 

[Atomos2]

This doesn't seem like a smart trade....

 

[Maplebeasts]

I get why it happened but I don't like it. Lehtonen looked no worse than either of Dermott or Bogo and had lots of potential.