Pachoo said:
If the Pens had a goalie as solid as Nurimenen, Fleury would be in the AHL too.
If Lehtonen were with the Pens, he'd probably be in the NHL right now also, and I bet he would be doing just as well.
They are both great goalie prospects. It will be interesting to see who has the better career.
First Fleury wouldn't be in the AHL because he's too YOUNG.
Second, myself I used to rate Lehtonen above Fleury. Do a search you'll see it. Even as a Pens fan. Not anymore. I think I simply underrated Fleury. Of course if he gets a few 5 goals against my mind might change, but so far, I've been amazed by his game. Think about that :
As an 18 year old, Lehtonen put up similar numbers in the finn league that Fleury is putting in the NHL though Kari was playing for one of the best team and Fleury for one of the worst.
There is no doubt in my mind that Fleury is more advanced at 18 that Lehtonen was.
That said, Atlanta has a great goalie prospect in their hands, and in a year from now (providing no work stoppage), Lehtonen might play better than Fleury.
But as of TODAY, I rate Fleury higher than Lehtonen, especially given his age.