Confirmed with Link: TOR signs LD Mikko Lehtonen

[GBLeaf]

Because we need to move a LHD to improve our right side.

Removing our best D isn't a smart move.

 

[ACC1224]

At the very least he's not a pushover like Barrie..That's all I need.

No idea, haven't seen him play.

 

[Papi 4 Hart]

Not in that kind of draft. You take your double overage reach with the Grundstrom pick at the earliest.

Also this is the funny thing, the appeal of Korshkov, Gauthier, and Biggs is that they had a lower ceiling but were supposed to be "sure things" and ready sooner. It took Gauthier, what, 4 years to become a mediocre part-time 4C? It took Korshkov 4 years to get a tryout at 4W? It took Biggs 5 years to.. end up as a 4th liner in the English league?

Took Bertuzzi that long to develop. Took Jake Virtanen. Took countless. It takes power forwards longer to develop. Doesn't help its a tough forward roster to crack. Im not defending the pick but we shouldn't give up on the guy and I could see why he was drafted. I don't see why Gauthier or Biggs were drafted. Atleast Korshkov has some scoring touch.

 

[rent free]

Removing our best D isn't a smart move.

he isn't our best D

 

[Menzinger]

Not in that kind of draft. You take your double overage reach with the Grundstrom pick at the earliest.

Also this is the funny thing, the appeal of Korshkov, Gauthier, and Biggs is that they had a lower ceiling but were supposed to be "sure things" and ready sooner. It took Gauthier, what, 4 years to become a mediocre part-time 4C? It took Korshkov 4 years to get a tryout at 4W? It took Biggs 5 years to.. end up as a 4th liner in the English league?

Its the fundamental problem with these "safe" big players.

People assume theyll have a floor as a 4th liner based on their stats (height, weight, hits) when in reality thats their CEILING and the vast majority of draft picks dont come close to reaching their top end potential

 

[Martin Skoula]

Its the fundamental problem with these "safe" big players.

People assume theyll have a floor as a 4th liner based on their stats (height, weight, hits) when in reality thats their CEILING and the vast majority of draft picks dont come close to reaching their top end potential

Especially when the things they need to work on are things that I've almost never seen get improved (other than Gauthier, kudos to him honestly).

Most of the time with the "safe" picks, they have the size locked down but just need to work on some tiny things like:

1) Agility
2) IQ
3) Processing speed
4) Vision
5) Hands

As soon as those things get improved by massive amounts, you'll have an ok bottom-6er ready to go in 5 years.

 

[stickty111]

Ya, I never mentioned that.
We have abundance on the left side, shortage on the right side.

You don't move your best defenseman to do that.

 

[stickty111]

Especially when the things they need to work on are things that I've almost never seen get improved (other than Gauthier, kudos to him honestly).

Most of the time with the "safe" picks, they have the size locked down but just need to work on some tiny things like:

1) Agility
2) IQ
3) Processing speed
4) Vision
5) Hands

As soon as those things get improved by massive amounts, you'll have an ok bottom-6er ready to go in 5 years.

And to think we used 1st-2nd rounders on these players.
Yikes.

 

[Subway Schenn]

Eh. Interesting signing.

If we acquire someone to play with Mo (a likely scenario), we would have to move one of Dermott/Liljegren (and the one not traded could start frequenting the press box). Since Liljegren can be sent down, it seems probable that Dermott will be moved (which is a real shame!).

Sandin would be wasted on the farm and Lehtonen is a Top 6 talent on any team in the league.

Good problem to have!

 

[smitty10]

he isn't our best D

What would it take for him to be our best D? 70 points? Top end minutes? 20 goals? Top pairing assignments? PP usage? PK time? Leadership? Size? Ability?

I'm not sure if you're over-thinking things due to overexposure (like certain scouts did when ranking Crosby/McDavid below #1 in their respective draft years) or if you have no clue how to evaluate talent.

This is one of the main reasons other fanbases look down upon Leafs fans. There are people here who are so over the top with wacky opinions that it's probable that we could have a prime Gretzky and people here would find reasons to state he isn't our best player.

Give your head a shake and appreciate the talent we have in Morgan Rielly. We went so long without a legit #1 defenseman and now that we have one the ridicule persists.

 

[rent free]

What would it take for him to be our best D? 70 points? Top end minutes? 20 goals? Top pairing assignments? PP usage? PK time? Leadership? Size? Ability?

I'm not sure if you're over-thinking things due to overexposure (like certain scouts did when ranking Crosby/McDavid below #1 in their respective draft years) or if you have no clue how to evaluate talent.

This is one of the main reasons other fanbases look down upon Leafs fans. There are people here who are so over the top with wacky opinions that it's probable that we could have a prime Gretzky and people here would find reasons to state he isn't our best player.

Give your head a shake and appreciate the talent we have in Morgan Rielly. We went so long without a legit #1 defenseman and now that we have one the ridicule persists.

Become better defensively

 

[meefer]

I come here to read up on Lehtonen and am met with suggestions and criticisms of Rielly...ya, I'm going to bow out now.

 

[stickty111]

Become better defensively

You must have thought Karlsson and Burns weren't the best defencemen on their team then?
Rielly's defensive game is poor, but everything else is great to elite. Your in the minority if you think he isn't our best defenceman.

 

[leafsfan2point0]

The great news about Lehtonen is that he’s also solid defensively. If he can turn out as well as the Miky signing for us we’re looking very good.

 

[Omark]

Lehtonen and Barabanov are both genious signings. Lehtonen don't have any weaknesses, he is close to 100% hit in the NHL. Barabanov has NHL tempo playing style (unlike Gusev or Shipachyov) and won't suck in any case. Altough I have to say Barabanov's finishing ability is absolutely horrendous. He creates scoring chances all the time with his incredible skating and hands but literally can't score.

Anyway, insane value signings, good luck for the season.

 

[genk]

Become better defensively

This is correct. We need defensemen who can... ya know, defend.

edit: before anyone jumps down my throat, I love Mo. that said, if you can get a less productive #1 RHD for him who is better defensively, you do that 100% of the time.

 

[rent free]

This is correct. We need defensemen who can... ya know, defend.

edit: before anyone jumps down my throat, I love Mo. that said, if you can get a less productive #1 RHD for him who is better defensively, you do that 100% of the time.

this

for example, if the blues for some reason offered rielly for parayko, dubas should accept that deal

 

[Its not your fault]

I can't fathom why Leafs would trade Rielly.

He's on a bargain contract for another two years. Who do they get better than him with such value?

Only moves to be made on Morgan Rielly are to try and tie him down long-term as soon as it is permitted.

Rielly and Matthews for McDavid and Larsson would be the only better value.

 

[weems]

 

[Spargon]

Not bad for a "bottom pairing depth defenseman" He's no Romanov tho....

 

[ACC1224]

Why is he known as Bob?

 

[baton elevated]

Bobby Orr of the Finnish league

 

[The Podium]

Has anyone of note won that in the past?

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Maple Leafs' Mikko Lehtonen named KHL's defenceman of the year - Sportsnet.ca

 

[Mess]

Maple Leafs' Mikko Lehtonen named KHL's defenceman of the year - Sportsnet.ca

Has anyone of note won that in the past?

All Winners (Players)

Season	Award winner	Born	Birthplace	Drafted by
2019-2020	49	Mikko Lehtonen (D)	1994	Turku, FIN
2018-2019	53	Darren Dietz (D)	1993	Medicine Hat, AB, CAN	Montréal Canadiens (2011)
2017-2018	38	Philip Larsen (D)	1989	Esbjerg, DEN	Dallas Stars (2008)
2016-2017	65	Chris Lee (D)	1980	MacTier, ON, CAN
2015-2016	40	Cam Barker (D)	1986	Winnipeg, MB, CAN	Chicago Blackhawks (2004)
	40	Kevin Dallman (D)	1981	St. Catharines, ON, CAN
2014-2015	48	Kirill Koltsov (D)	1983	Chelyabinsk, RUS	Vancouver Canucks (2002)
2013-2014	35	Kirill Koltsov (D)	1983	Chelyabinsk, RUS	Vancouver Canucks (2002)
2012-2013	42	Renat Mamashev (D)	1983	Moskva, RUS
2011-2012	54	Kevin Dallman (D)	1981	St. Catharines, ON, CAN
2010-2011	46	Karel Rachunek (D)	1979	Zlin, CZE	Ottawa Senators (1997)
2009-2010	42	Kevin Dallman (D)	1981	St. Catharines, ON, CAN
	42	Sergei Zubov (D)	1970	Moskva, RUS	New York Rangers (1990)
2008-2009	58	Kevin Dallman (D)	1981	St. Catharines, ON, CAN

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