Whatever happens this coming season, it would be utter stupidity to leave Mikko Lehtonen out of the lineup, or have him scratched, UNLESS.. he does not perform. If you (and by you I mean anyone who have general interest in the Leafs, or is a fan of the leafs) get a chance, do yourself a favor and look at his current stats in the KHL.
Yes, I get that it is the KHL. But keep in mind that most often the point production isn't as near as big as what you see in the NHL, but it does corelate, but to this extent, Lehtonen is just blowing everything out of the water.
As of right now, Lehtonen holds 8G 8A 16P in just 14 games for Jokerit in the KHL. He is currently as of now the league leader in goals as a defensemen, assists as a defenseman, overall points as a defenseman, and he sits 10th overall league wide in points. That could be subject to change of course.
What I'm saying is that it would be a shame for a player like this to be handed a contract and not given an opportunity to play in the NHL. I notice a lot of armchair GM's leaving him off their roster and placing him on the scratched list. It would be ideal to give this guy a chance before he frigs back off to the KHL if things do not work out. This can maybe pan out to be being another Artemi Panarin scenario. It takes a matter of faith to let a player flourish in my opinion. I'm excited to see what he can bring to the leafs. if its 20-35 points, ill be perfectly content.
Here is the link to his KHL stats:
https://en.khl.ru/players/24807/
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