Confirmed with Link: TOR signs LD Mikko Lehtonen

[Rob Brown]

The thread on the Trade Rumours section about him is hilarious. So many people discounting the Leafs and saying we make everything about the Leafs, and now this.

 

[HerculePoirot]

Who do you see him playing over?

I mean if he sucks then yes, will be sent down and the move to NHL play isn't always seamless, BUT I like the D pairs posted above where he's slotted in the 2nd pair.

 

[qqaz]

Here's some links I also posted on the main board, so we all know a bit about the guy. He wasn't on my radar in the slightest.

"In 2019–20, he scored 17 goals and 32 assists in 52 games for Jokerit, making him the top point-getter among all KHL defenders and the sixth-highest scorer overall."

hockeyDB profile

Over the next few months, we will hear of lots of free agents signing out of different leagues in Europe. Lehtonen has the potential to have the biggest NHL impact of all of them.

Sounds like a pretty ofensively skilled guy. Left shot. And everything I can find always specifically says "NHL ready".

 

[ACC1224]

I mean if he sucks then yes, will be sent down and the move to NHL play isn't always seamless, BUT I like the D pairs posted above where he's slotted in the 2nd pair.

Excellent.
He will be able to join the roster this season?

 

[Marshy]

26 years old...led his KHL team in scoring. That Helsinki team was 38-16-0-8.


Ya he might be pretty good.

 

[Coachcorner]

The best d-man in europe will knock on that top 4 hustle for treal mayne! WE GOT HIM! OTHERS are JELIOUS! Everybody talkin bout us and wanting to be like us mayne! They want to be like us!

 

[Funk21]

Anybody not think that Dermott will be traded this offseason? I suspect we will likely see Dermott and AJ package together to get a RHD. This is our 2020-2021 lineup:

Hyman Matthews Marner
Mikheyev JT Nylander
Barabanov Kerfoot or ????? Kapanen
Engvall Gauthier Spezza
Korskov

Reilly ?????
Muzzin Liljegren
Lehtonen Holl
Marincin

(Sandin spends another year with Marlies)

Andersen
Campbell

 

[robertmac43]

Not too shabby of signing. Came out of no where and adressess a need!

 

[ACC1224]

Looks like Dermott will move to the right side full time.

 

[shaner8989]

Incredible signing

 

[Primary Assist]

Love it. I wonder if we could move Marincin for Eichel or Draisaitl to fix up our 3rd line?

 

[kb]

Looks like Dermott will move to the right side full time.

Unless he himself goes as part of a package for a RD?

 

[Oscar Peterson]

Anybody not think that Dermott will be traded this offseason? I suspect we will likely see Dermott and AJ package together to get a RHD. This is our 2020-2021 lineup:

Hyman Matthews Marner
Mikheyev JT Nylander
Barabanov Kerfoot or ????? Kapanen
Engvall Gauthier Spezza
Korskov

Reilly ?????
Muzzin Liljegren
Lehtonen Holl
Marincin

(Sandin spends another year with Marlies)

Andersen
Campbell

No way Liljegren plays on the NHL team if Sandin is in the minors, having your best players play is more important than having left-hand/right-hand pairs.

Excited about this signing, nice to see the Leafs as an attractive team for FAs.

 

[4thline]

Unless he himself goes as part of a package for a RD?

Or Rielly moves to the right and Dermott solidifies himself as a top 4 option on the left.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Love it. I wonder if we could move Marincin for Eichel or Draisaitl to fix up our 3rd line?

I like your attitude.

 

[HerculePoirot]

Excellent.
He will be able to join the roster this season?

That I'm not sure of but seems like the KHL contract is (mutually) terminated.

 

[kb]

Or Rielly moves to the right and Dermott solidifies himself as a top 4 option on the left.

Quite possibly. But it definitely opens up more options.

 

[Legion34]

Bet he sucks now

 

[Advanced stats]

Would they be crazy enough to use Reilly as trade bait?

They're not stupid enough. That's a dreadful idea.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Dubas really needs to address the D

 

[dubplatepressure]

Dubas really needs to address the D

Hey did you hear? He just signed Mikko Lehtonen.

 

[4thline]

Quite possibly. But it definitely opens up more options.

For sure. While it opens up the option to trade, I don't think it is a definite prelude.
Last year we played more games with two of our top 4 out than with the entire defense intact, and two of the guys we've been pencilling in are waiver exempt.

We've got
1 High end top pair -Rielly
1 low end top pair - Muzzin
1 low end 2nd pair -Holl
+
2 hopeful low end 2nd pair -Dermott and Lehtonen

A pairing of a top pair and 2nd pair is more than effective at hard usage if they're the right guys.

So we've got 2 "ability" question marks in the top 5 + 2 "handedness" question marks in the top 5 (Rielly and Dermott to the right). We need to hit on one each of ability and handedness to have a complete well rounded top 4 when healthy. Hitting on all 4 takes it to a + level deep and versatile top 6, and that's without making trades.

Rielly to the right and/or Dermott to the right + hitting consistent top 4 level are absolute game changers for this team.

 

[Smif]

Anybody not think that Dermott will be traded this offseason? I suspect we will likely see Dermott and AJ package together to get a RHD. This is our 2020-2021 lineup:

Hyman Matthews Marner
Mikheyev JT Nylander
Barabanov Kerfoot or ????? Kapanen
Engvall Gauthier Spezza
Korskov

Reilly ?????
Muzzin Liljegren
Lehtonen Holl
Marincin

(Sandin spends another year with Marlies)

Andersen
Campbell

While this scenario is more ideal, I feel the organization has Sandin well ahead of Liljegren.

 

[Zub]

Congrats Leafs, this guy is a real playa

 

[Dekes For Days]

The thread on the Trade Rumours section about him is hilarious. So many people discounting the Leafs and saying we make everything about the Leafs, and now this.

Multiple people: Queue Leaf fans and media making this all about them lolol
Discussion thread: Literally not one fan or reporter links him to the Leafs.
End Result: Signs with the Leafs.
Signing thread: Dubas sucks!