The Artturi Lehkonen to the Washington Capitals is not a new rumor. That being said, reports are now coming out that the Capitals are starting to be a little bit more aggressive in acquiring the Canadiens’ winger.
According to reports by David Pagnotta, he has claimed that indeed the Capitals have Lehkonen on their wish list. Other players they are apparently targeting also include Andrew Copp from the Winnipeg Jets and Calle Jarnkrok from the Nashville Predators.
Goaltender Ilya Samsonov is a name that often makes the rounds of the rumor mills as of late and the Canadiens were often linked and reported to have asked about the price to pay for the Russian goaltender.
In an interesting twist however, Samsonov’s price tag has significantly dropped as he is going through a rough season overall. Samsonov was actually pulled from the game in the first period resulting in a 5-3 loss to the Maple Leafs. He is also struggling mightily in home games.
Ilya Samsonov in 7 appearances/6 starts at home in 2022:
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) March 1, 2022
0-4-1, 4.52 GAA. 854 save %. Didn't make it to 2nd period in two of the starts (but saved from loss in both).
Not all his fault. Two defensive mistakes contributed to first two goals tonight.
But part of the home issues.
Speedy winger Carl Hagelin is often touted as another name to take part of a Lehkonen trade for cap purposes. Hagelin has one year left to his contract with a cap hit of $2.75 million. Samsonov will become a Restricted Free Agent (RFA) at the end of the season and carries a $2 million cap hit. Lehkonen will also become an RFA at season’s end and carries a $2.3 million cap hit and is slated to obtain a raise that could allow him to earn a contract similar to teammate Joel Armia. Armia signed a 4 year, $13.6 million contract which came into effect this season, counting for $3.4 million against the cap.
Samsonov and Hagelin will clearly not be enough to acquire Lehkonen so we should expect the Capitals to up the ante a little bit by adding at least a draft pick or a prospect in return.
The addition of Ilya Samsonov however, would further complicate the goaltending situation for the Canadiens. Jake Allen is slated to return in a week or two while the tandem of Samuel Montembeault and Andrew Hammond has been brilliant as of late.
Newly appointed Assistant General Manager John Sedgwick has recently indicated that goaltender Michael McNiven may soon be sent down to the ECHL level with the Trois-Rivieres Lions. This would likely open a spot up for Andrew Hammond, if he clears waivers, meaning one of Jake Allen or Samuel Montembeault would get traded should Samsonov come to town.
A tandem of Montembeault and Samsonov can work nicely, however it all boils down as to what will happen with Carey Price, as usual.
It’s also very plausible that Kent Hughes ends up with only picks and prospects in return for Lehkonen. The Capitals are still unsure if Anthony Mantha will return during the regular season so they might shut him down until the playoffs and use the extra cap hit to acquire Lehkonen.
Regardless, with Lehkonen’s excellent play as of late, it would be sad but wouldn’t be a surprise if we were to see him traded.
The NHL Trade Deadline is March 21st.