The Montreal Canadiens are heading toward the trade deadline as clear sellers. The only question is, how much of the team is for sale?
The Habs began to clear out some veterans for picks and prospects when Tyler Toffoli was traded to the Calgary Flames, with a first round pick, and Emil Heineman heading Montreal’s way as the prizes of the deal.
Pending unrestricted free agents like Ben Chiarot, Mathieu Perreault, Brett Kulak and Chris Wideman are likely to be dealt next. But what about pending restricted free agent Artturi Lehkonen?
Teams around the league would love to have this guy on their roster. He is an exceptional penalty killer and a terrific defensive winger who can play both sides of the ice. His defensive acumen has never been in question, but his offensive ceiling has been under constant scrutiny among Habs fans.
Lehkonen played his first NHL season in 2016-17 and scored 18 goals. It was thought by most around the hockey world that he would then soon become a regular 20 goal scoring two-way winger.
But the offence never came.
That 18 goal rookie season is still a career high and the most points he has had in a season is 31. Lehkonen isn’t likely to score more than 18 goals this season, but he scored his 8th and 9th last night and now has 22 points in 50 games. He is on pace for 36 points which would be the most offence the 26 year old has provided in a single season.
Artturi Lehkonen bats home the rebound off a Ben Chiarot shot and the Habs lead 1-0! pic.twitter.com/REOG5SxFXB
— Scott Matla (@scottmatla) February 27, 2022
Considering he is still mostly used in a defensive role with players like Jake Evans and Rem Pitlick, his increased offence is a nice surprise.
It would also make him an even bigger attraction to contending teams.
Lehkonen earns $2.3 million against the salary cap this season. The Canadiens could retain half of that and trade him as a $1.15 million player.
What team that is about to go on a playoff quest wouldn’t want an elite defensive winger that is scoring just about half a point per game on the league’s worst offensive team and comes cheaply?
Barclay Goodrow was traded from the San Jose Sharks to the Tampa Bay Lightning two years ago for a first round pick. Goodrow had eight goals and 24 points in 62 games at the time of that trade. Lehkonen already has more goals and is just a couple points back of that production in 12 less games.
Could the Lightning offer up another first round pick for a terrific third line player and penalty killer like Lehkonen? With the offence added to his game this season, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if the Canadiens can land a first rounder pick from a Stanley Cup contender in exchange for Lehkonen.