Player Discussion Artturi Lehkonen Part 2

[Runner77]

Previous thread reached the limit: Player Discussion - Artturi Lehkonen

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Where is he at now?

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[ahmedou]

 

[ahmedou]

The value of Artturi Lehkonen

Lehkonen’s intensity makes all the difference. He takes on the dirty work to allow his linemates to shine. He’s the first forward (F1) on the forecheck, and then the F1 in the defensive zone. In other words, Lehkonen plays the main role — the engager — in most defensive situations. He sets the tone.

The Finnish winger has his weaknesses. Shot selection is not the winger’s forte. He's often guilty of rifling pucks toward the net that have little chance of going in. He doesn’t manipulate defenders or create passing lanes that well. He generally lacks creativity, content to skate north-south and focusing on the net.

Lehkonen has an aggressive shooter mentality, but he isn’t particularly deceptive in the way he roams the ice for pockets of space. He needs a winger who can locate him quickly as he springs to the top of the slot. When paired with someone who can play inside his parameters, the winger can do some damage.

 

[ahmedou]

Twelve seconds segment. Built from the Dzone. Positioning. Reading the play. Pressuring. Anticipation. Backend. Joigning the rush. Screening the goalie. And a goal...

That's why Lehkonen is an important player. By defending (his art), he makes key plays all by himself .

 

[Et le But]

I just wish the shot he showed when he was younger developed. He's such a smart player it's a shame he can't find his offensive footing.

 

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

Love the kid.
He is what he is, a hard working defensive player.

Every team needs one or 2 of these players. PK specialist, late game lead player, annoying due to his intense forechecking, easy to coach, versatile etc.

If he can score great, but he is a defensive specialist. If you expect 30 goals from the kid you will continually be disappointed.

 

[ahmedou]

 

[Et le But]

Also a guy who always shows up in the playoffs.

 

[tazsub3]

Also a guy who always shows up in the playoffs.

Cause he busts his ass

 

[Archijerej]

I judge people's hockey knowledge based on their opinion on Lehkonen.

 

[ahmedou]

 

[Natey]

One of my favourite players ever. His work ethic is unmatched in this league.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Can be an offensively frustrating player, but he always makes the right play, is defensively sound, a great pker, and a hell of a forechecker. Hardest working player we have. Oh and he goes to the net.

Nice goal tonight, Lekhy! Great play by Byron too.

 

[ahmedou]

#Lehkonen-PressConference(20/08/07)

“We’re just trying to get on them. We’re a fast team. Byron is one of the fastest guys in the NHL so we used that speed to get on their defencemen and to try to create turnovers. Byron did all the work on that goal. He carried the puck behind the goal line and got a pass to me and I just had to tap it in.”

“Me, Danault, and Byron, we played a long time in the PK together. So it wasn't a big change. We've great centers, so it's pretty easy to play with anyone of those.”

“Everybody enjoy these games and everybody wants to play in the playoffs. It's a lot of physicality there. Everybody was kinda count us off. So of course it feels good to win this series. But it's one series, we got to enjoy this for a moment and move on. We need to be ready right from the start and play solid sixty minutes.”

“Price gave us a lot of confidence, for sure. He was outstanding the whole series. He had a shootout in a game like this.”

 

[Rapala]

I just wish the shot he showed when he was younger developed. He's such a smart player it's a shame he can't find his offensive footing.

It became evident he was not going to score a bucket full of goals with his shot. Not a great or deceptive release at all. His will be the two foot goals and he’d have more if he could keep his feet and balance better in the dirty areas in front of the net. Plays his role to perfection when he’s off the top two lines.

 

[Tyson]

Smart player who competes hard and was taught good fundamentals.

He set a playoff record in goals a few years ago

 

[The Great Weal]

I judge people's hockey knowledge based on their opinion on Lehkonen.

He's a good player, but man he makes me want to pull my hair when he misses every high scoring chance.

 

[angusyoung]

He's a good player, but man he makes me want to pull my hair when he misses every high scoring chance.

At least you have hair you can pull

 

[Sam of Montreal]

I think with Byron - Danault - Lehkonen, we may have a checking line 2.0: the kind good teams used to have. Teams have left that model, but I don't see why it wouldn't be a good model still with players who can also contribute offensively.

I think it could be a modern day Moen-Pahlsson-Niedermayer. Or Pandolfo-Madden-Langenbrunner.

Danault is a smart guy who communicates well. It seems like his wingers usually play the style he wants and things mesh well, even though the level of skill isn't much higher than others.

 

[Archijerej]

The only thing that irks me about my boy Lehkonen is his shot selection. Many times I'd prefer him to hit the breaks and establish a cycle, instead of firing off a low-percentage shot. Same with Gallagher. Our genius Kirk Muller in not willing or able to coach this out of them, which is a shame, as I think more extended offensive zone time would lead to more high quality scoring chances.

 

[Archijerej]

He's a good player, but man he makes me want to pull my hair when he misses every high scoring chance.

You have passed the test of hockey knowledge.

 

[1909]

The only thing that irks me about my boy Lehkonen is his shot selection. Many times I'd prefer him to hit the breaks and establish a cycle, instead of firing off a low-percentage shot. Same with Gallagher. Our genius Kirk Muller in not willing or able to coach this out of them, which is a shame, as I think more extended offensive zone time would lead to more high quality scoring chances.

Coaches can repeat things a thousand times... But some players just don't get it.

 

[JianYang]

I just wish the shot he showed when he was younger developed. He's such a smart player it's a shame he can't find his offensive footing.

I mean, he showed flashes of it in his rookie year. 18 goals as a rookie while showing a nose for the net. In that playoff as a rookie, he scored a goal scorer's goal on the PP, going top shelf with a lightning release. That year, you could tell that his shot did show potential to be a weapon. Where did that go?

I mean, he's still an nhler without that finish, because his motor never stops, and he pretty much is a coach's best friend in terms of his positioning and play without the puck.

I can't recall if he got some injury earlier in his nhl career which limited his shot, but he doesn't look as threatening with it since his rookie year.

 

[26Mats]

The only thing that irks me about my boy Lehkonen is his shot selection. Many times I'd prefer him to hit the breaks and establish a cycle, instead of firing off a low-percentage shot. Same with Gallagher. Our genius Kirk Muller in not willing or able to coach this out of them, which is a shame, as I think more extended offensive zone time would lead to more high quality scoring chances.

Having said all this, I'd like him to shoot more one timers. When he's playing rw, it's not a bad thing for him to fire off one timers almost anytime a pass comes his way in the offensive zone. He's got a great shot and goalies tend to have trouble with one timers when they're not set for them.

He's had some nice 5 on 5 one timer goals in his career.

 

[Archijerej]

Coaches can repeat things a thousand times... But some players just don't get it.

Judging by our powerplay, half of the roster doesn't get this man's wisdom.