Jori Lehterä implicated in investigation into Finnish cocaine ring

[Appleyard]

Not sure if it needs its own thread so as not to fill up other ones... and I would guess it is a minor offense if anything, but still a crazy story.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report: Flyers’ Jori Lehtera a suspect in Finland cocaine ring

Jori Lehtera, a veteran center who is battling to win a roster spot with the Flyers, is one of 23 suspects involved in a cocaine ring in Finland, according to Finnish news outlet MTV.

Lehtera, 30, denies any involvement, the news outlet reported. MTV said that about two kilos of cocaine were involved, and that some of the suspects were arrested at Lehtera's summer home.
The NHL is investigating the matter.

Lehtera, a Helsinki native, did not participate in the Flyers practice Wednesday in Voorhees.

Flyers general manger Ron Hextall issued a statement about the situation: "We have spoken with Jori Lehtera and the league office regarding the reports out of Finland, and will reserve any further comment on the matter at this time."

After practice Wednesday, Hextall said: "I don't know any details, so there's nothing to comment on."
​

Source: Sam Carchidi, Philly.com:

Click to read more...

 

[kudymen]

Main board took care of that joke already, but given his speed I am not sure what happened

 

[BillDineen]

I think he is the drug kingpin and his thugs have been threatening Hextall to ensure he stays on the roster. That is the only logical explanation.

 

[Prongo]

Tampa bay would have waived him for breach of contract already and demanded his salary back. We should operate like them. Everyone we dislike we should waive for breach of contract.

 

[1865]

Can’t we just Mike Richards him?

 

[Adam Warlock]

Snd he'll still make the team...

 

[Harhis]

If he is found guilty his contract will be terminated? Isn't it? Please.

 

[LI Fly Guy]

If he is found guilty his contract will be terminated? Isn't it? Please.

Pretty sure the Kings terminated Richards contract and he was never even formally charged.

 

[Jtown]

Pretty sure the Kings terminated Richards contract and he was never even formally charged.

Ex-King Mike Richards hit with drug charge

 

[LI Fly Guy]

Ex-King Mike Richards hit with drug charge

Looks like his contract was terminated 2 months before he was charged. Obviously a different set of circumstance because Joris contract is up in 9 months, but it would be nice to just get rid of him and off the books now.

 

[Hakroach]

If he is found guilty his contract will be terminated? Isn't it? Please.

At least they should suspend him. Without pay. Please, please.

 

[Chinatown88]

Not something you expect to wake up and read. This is interesting to say the least.

 

[TheKingPin]

He’d be cut by now in the NFL. The NHL will prob make him head of PR.

 

[Deadpool8812]

I know people dislike him on the ice, but let's wait and see what happens here. He's denying it, and for his sake, as much as I want him off the team, I hope he isn't involved in this shit

 

[FlyTimmo]

I'll take things I never thought I'd hear for $500, Alex.

 

[kudymen]

Coke dealers obviously dont watch enough tape

 

[BringBackHakstol]

This off-season is a gem

 

[Hiesenberg]

I know people dislike him on the ice, but let's wait and see what happens here. He's denying it, and for his sake, as much as I want him off the team, I hope he isn't involved in this ****

Well of course he will deny it. He's also in another country, he's probably the safest guy out there right now until he's formally charged.

Flyers need to suspend him immediately.

 

[1865]

Pretty sure the Kings terminated Richards contract and he was never even formally charged.

I still find it staggering they got away with that. They sacked someone who was never found guilty of a crime.

 

[BringBackHakstol]

Do you guys think he'd remain in camp if he was say, Phil Myers? That veteran character tho.

 

[Prongo]

I still find it staggering they got away with that. They sacked someone who was never found guilty of a crime.

They didn’t “get away with it”. They had to pay him out and he is on their books also.

Grand scheme though they got off way easier than they should

 

[1865]

They didn’t “get away with it”. They had to pay him out and he is on their books also.

Grand scheme though they got off way easier than they should

They don't really care about the payout, they avoided the cap hit entirely. They shouldn't have.

 

[Strawberry Fields]

 

[Deadpool8812]

Well of course he will deny it. He's also in another country, he's probably the safest guy out there right now until he's formally charged.

Flyers need to suspend him immediately.

No they should not suspend him immediately. We are not the Kings organization who react to news before we have more facts about the situation

 

[Hiesenberg]

No they should not suspend him immediately. We are not the Kings organization who react to news before we have more facts about the situation

If he's under investigation for this very serious crime, he should be suspended immediately. Don't even try with that shit.

You don't let this "play out" you remove him from the team until he's been cleared, if he's been cleared.

Suspension doesn't mean cut, it doesn't mean waived, it doesn't mean cap clear, it doesn't mean you're trying to do something dirty, like the Kings.

It means he's barred from team activities until further notice. He sucks anyway, he might have been waived regardless of this story. Flyers should be proactive.