Lehtonen traded to Columbus

[Andy007]

Seems to me that if you want to encourage good discussion, attacking other thoughts from long term posters with needless sarcasm and ridicule isn't the best way to go about it.

Well to be fair, the idea that Lehtonen vs Dermott is somewhat akin to Babcock's petty ego trip decisions or that Vesey, currently struggling to find 4th line minutes, has hypocritically been given undeserved special treatment aren't exactly strong foundations for encouraging "good" discussion.

 

[L K]

I think it seems pretty clear that Lehtonen was traded to do him a favour.  He wasn't going to break into the lineup at this point.  This is a big year for him on whether he stays in the NHL or goes back to the KHL.  This was more a trade to give him an opportunity than the Leafs thinking he isn't good.

I have absolutely no problem with this. 

 

[wnc096]

Got to be more coming from Dubas but my thoughts dumb trade. Lehtonen I think wasn't given much of an opportunity. What's the point of trying to find these players overseas when you don't give them an opportunity. Mark my words he'll eventually be a starter on Columbus and will do well. Thumbs down on this one.

I think it was Dubas doing a good thing for him and probably asked him if he would like to be traded for a chance somewhere else. I think without covid he would have had a better chance.

People were all upset when they let go of Leivo for similar reasons.  I think this trade is a footnote

 

[Frank E]

I think it seems pretty clear that Lehtonen was traded to do him a favour.  He wasn't going to break into the lineup at this point.  This is a big year for him on whether he stays in the NHL or goes back to the KHL.  This was more a trade to give him an opportunity than the Leafs thinking he isn't good.

I have absolutely no problem with this.

I see it this way as well. 

With the Leafs looking to make some noise this year, as opposed to a couple of seasons ago, there really isn't ice time for projects.

 

[L K]

I think it seems pretty clear that Lehtonen was traded to do him a favour.  He wasn't going to break into the lineup at this point.  This is a big year for him on whether he stays in the NHL or goes back to the KHL.  This was more a trade to give him an opportunity than the Leafs thinking he isn't good.

I have absolutely no problem with this.

I see it this way as well. 

With the Leafs looking to make some noise this year, as opposed to a couple of seasons ago, there really isn't ice time for projects.

Not being able to come over in September for a proper training camp and preseason did him in.  You just don't adjust to the NHL ice quickly and as much as Lehtonen was the "best" KHL defenseman, his reputation was never that he was the best on both ends of the ice, but a guy who was a star offensively and would be ok defensively. 

I think the Leafs could have given him a better opportunity on the top PP unit when he got into games but his defensive play wasn't there.  I would have liked to see him get more of an opportunity.  I have soured on Dermott quite a bit so from a pure interest standpoint I think I wanted to see more Lehtonen over him but I also can't say that my feelings there aren't more about the grass maybe being greener rather than Dermott playing himself out of the lineup.

 

[Frank E]

I think it seems pretty clear that Lehtonen was traded to do him a favour.  He wasn't going to break into the lineup at this point.  This is a big year for him on whether he stays in the NHL or goes back to the KHL.  This was more a trade to give him an opportunity than the Leafs thinking he isn't good.

I have absolutely no problem with this.

I see it this way as well. 

With the Leafs looking to make some noise this year, as opposed to a couple of seasons ago, there really isn't ice time for projects.

Not being able to come over in September for a proper training camp and preseason did him in.  You just don't adjust to the NHL ice quickly and as much as Lehtonen was the "best" KHL defenseman, his reputation was never that he was the best on both ends of the ice, but a guy who was a star offensively and would be ok defensively. 

I think the Leafs could have given him a better opportunity on the top PP unit when he got into games but his defensive play wasn't there.  I would have liked to see him get more of an opportunity.  I have soured on Dermott quite a bit so from a pure interest standpoint I think I wanted to see more Lehtonen over him but I also can't say that my feelings there aren't more about the grass maybe being greener rather than Dermott playing himself out of the lineup.

Dermott hasn't progressed much, and has been given plenty of opportunity over the past few years.

I think he's in trouble if Sandin can play as well as we hope. 

 

[Bender]

They aren't stupid. I think there would've been some value in having another D for depth purposes but they probably felt better about giving Sandin that playing time.

If Lehtonen showed enough to stay here I think that would've been obvious and the team would've kept him. Leave it to Leafs fans to gets all worked up about a 7D or 8D who wasn't in their long term plans.

 

[Redleaf]

So.... Cleary Veini Vehvil?inen will become our next #1 goaltender?  8)

 

[bustaheims]

So.... Cleary Veini Vehvil?inen will become our next #1 goaltender?  8)

Stranger things have happened. Maybe the Leafs have the goaltending coach who can get the most out of him? Maybe the trade lights a fire under him? Who knows? I wouldn?t expect it, but I wouldn?t write him off as a productive future piece. You could say the same about Lehtonen, I suppose, but defenceman are easier to predict than goalies, and the team has better organizational depth on the blue line than they do in net.

 

[Highlander]

Seems to me that if you want to encourage good discussion, attacking other thoughts from long term posters with needless sarcasm and ridicule isn't the best way to go about it.

That's Nik's MO since the dawn of time; I don't mind it because I like him, though I was mildly surprised since his posts lately haven't leaned on it.

This is true.

 

[Highlander]

I think a lot of us wanted Lehtonen to succeed, our latest pet project.  He came with a fair amount of hype, being the best KHL D man and all.
So when he is let go it bother us a little.  I said about a year ago, I was going to stop with the pet projects, but got caught up in this one.
A lot of great comments in this thread make me realize this was the best move for Lehtonen himself and I do wish him well.
I really think in more normal times with a full training camp, things may well have worked out different, but we will never know. 

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Does anyone know the status of Campbell? Do we think that maybe bringing in another "NHL calibre goalie" says that perhaps Campbell is further off than we think?

 

[L K]

Does anyone know the status of Campbell? Do we think that maybe bringing in another "NHL calibre goalie" says that perhaps Campbell is further off than we think?

Woll should be starting games now that he is off the taxi-squad again but our current AHL goalie is Andrew D'Agostino who has a GAA >3 and a SV% of .892\

Ian Scott is out with injury.  Veini Vehvil?inen isn't an NHL calibre goaltender...at least based on his current North American performance.  He does give organizational depth however.

 

[bustaheims]

Does anyone know the status of Campbell? Do we think that maybe bringing in another "NHL calibre goalie" says that perhaps Campbell is further off than we think?

Right now, the new guy is goaltending depth that doesn?t have to clear waivers. He?s essentially the team?s 4th string goalie. Goaltending depth is important in any season, and especially this one. I wouldn?t read anything more into it than that.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Does anyone know the status of Campbell? Do we think that maybe bringing in another "NHL calibre goalie" says that perhaps Campbell is further off than we think?

Right now, the new guy is goaltending depth that doesn?t have to clear waivers. He?s essentially the team?s 4th string goalie. Goaltending depth is important in any season, and especially this one. I wouldn?t read anything more into it than that.

Yup. He has potential but you can say that about a lot of guys. I think this trade is both sides doing a favour for each player to get a chance somewhere else. Who knows it may work out.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Does anyone know the status of Campbell? Do we think that maybe bringing in another "NHL calibre goalie" says that perhaps Campbell is further off than we think?

Right now, the new guy is goaltending depth that doesn?t have to clear waivers. He?s essentially the team?s 4th string goalie. Goaltending depth is important in any season, and especially this one. I wouldn?t read anything more into it than that.

After last night, I'd say he's the team 3rd string goalie...Or at least worth a look. It can't get worse than those two goals Hutchinson let in.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

After last night, I'd say he's the team 3rd string goalie...Or at least worth a look. It can't get worse than those two goals Hutchinson let in.

Well Vehvilainen is still a week and a half away from even being available to the Leafs organization, but hopefully both him and Woll start to get games at the AHL level and the next time we need a #3 goalie to play a game one of them is on a bit of a roll and can translate that play to the NHL for a game or two.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

After last night, I'd say he's the team 3rd string goalie...Or at least worth a look. It can't get worse than those two goals Hutchinson let in.

Well Vehvilainen is still a week and a half away from even being available to the Leafs organization, but hopefully both him and Woll start to get games at the AHL level and the next time we need a #3 goalie to play a game one of them is on a bit of a roll and can translate that play to the NHL for a game or two.

Damn you quarantine! I forgot about that part.