Montreal Canadiens: Three Non-Habs To Watch Closely This Season

Artturi Lehkonen

The trade that saw Artturi Lehkonen leave Montreal was much less controversial than the Kotkaniemi drama. Lehkonen was in the final year of his contract last season, and though he was a restricted free agent, he was definitely on the trade market if the right offer came along.

Then the Colorado Avalanche offered Justin Barron and a second round pick and the right offer was on the table. Lehkonen packed up for Colorado and the Habs added another key prospect and draft pick to their future pieces to build around.

Lehkonen was a fan favorite in Montreal, even though he hardly ever seemed to capitalize on a scoring chance. He was the hardest working player on the ice almost every night, was a terrific penalty killer for the Habs and created plenty of offence, even if the pucks didn’t find the back of the net.

Well, don’t look now, (or do because we all still love Lehky) because the pucks are suddenly going into the back of the net. A lot of that has to do with the opportunity Lehkonen has been presented with in Denver.

The Finnish forward was usually a fourth line winger, maybe a third line guy in Montreal due to his lack of scoring touch. In Colorado, he has found himself on the first line with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.

Lehkonen has five points in six games, after putting up 14 points in 20 playoff games last season to help the Avs win the Stanley Cup.

It is awesome to see such a hardworking and smart player get rewarded with such a great opportunity. A former fan favorite in Montreal, Lehkonen is getting his chance to shine in Colorado and it is worth tuning into those games to keep an eye on him.