I love Lehntonen but the leaf's have to many LH defenseman that it probably won't happened.

It's already confirmed though.

Just don't know what's the point.

Love the signing, no risk! Gotta think Dermott is getting traded.

And both would have better roles somewhere else. I guess they want to finish their season in April like the KHL does (Leafs as well).

Oh shoot it happened!
Wow I didn't even realize.

Lmao

Until they have those player at a cheaper price and can produce.
Now they can plan to trade Dermott because he will ask to much money for the leafs.

Leafs need to find value for free, and for cheap. If You can sign a KHL player to play bottom pair, or on your 4th line, there's value there for a team who is up against it.

They should make an "Every undrafted KHL player must play first for TOR if they want to pursue a career in NHL." rule soon.

Sounds like a move of some kind is on the horizon for next year. This is a safe and smart signing IMO. Leafs have an excess of LHD. Something's gotta give here.

probably Dermott moving and a guy like Rielly can play on the right

what do you mean it doesnt make sense? they have so much cap space allocated and get guys on ELCs who have played professionally and developed.

No, not that it isn't a wise decision. What I meant was that it doesn't make sense one could assume that the whole KHL is an affiliate for the Leafs, considering how many good players they've gathered from there in recent years.

"First Barabanov, now Lehtonen. This doesn't make any sense lmao." KHL players, it's really hard to judge if they are NHLer or certainly if they are NHL "difference makers". So many Leaf fans on this site get overly optimistic about any UFA signing, their Marlies, or their drafted juniors.
Now I do understand why Europeans would want to sign with the Leafs over so many other teams. First they do have shot at the NHL. Then even if they are sent to the Marlies, they don't have to move. Many would prefer to live in large North American than being demoted to relatively isolated small city. For those with girlfriends/wives/children it might be beneficial if moving, spouses jobs, children's education could be guaranteed in one city.

by how many, you mean like 3 or 4?

Soshnikov, Zaitsev, Aaltonen, Ozhiganov, Mikheyev, Barabanov, Lehtonen. All players with no contact of any kind to NHL, appearing first in the Leafs. It's somewhat become a trend by now.

How does this help a team who lost to their minor league affiliates Zamboni driver?

That's harsh.

But funny, c'mon....

Very.

there's no risk, and the potential for a good reward- I've heard he can play the right side, but idk really. Leading KHL scorer for defensemen for 925k, there's not really any downside

Yeah he can. I've seen him play. He's great.