maybe don't tag the insane people

I was just arguing with him in another thread and thought he would benefit from someone else's opinion with more hockey knowledge than me.

Fair trade in my books, seems like a risk for Jackets though cause it’s not looking like Mikko will break out in the NHL. But you never know this could bite the Leafs in the a**

He was good in the games he played - he just wasn't good enough to solidify a position over Dermott. I can see him overtaking Del Zotto on Columbus.

Vehvilainen just can't seem to get it to work out. Lehtonen actual has some solid potential to play a bottom 4 D role.

Jarmo can't stay away from finns.

Yeah I see what you mean, I’m looking forward to see what h does for the Jackets, I wanted him to succeed in TOR but we didn’t need him.

Farewell Finnish Bobby Orr

Would you have preferred Kivlenieks??

Hey remember when I said that this pure idiotic fantasy that every single other Leafs fan on here had that a bunch of NHL ready D would be super happy to not play would
in reality cause problems and that at least one D would be demanding a trade before the trade deadline?

As always I was completely right and as always the people who spend all of their time in a fantasy land (like you) were completely wrong.

This was a stupid signing, by an organization that fails to use the most basic common sense, fails to properly evaluate where players fit together, and promises players roster spots when they shouldn't.

And what did they get for this dumb signing?

A player who demanded out after 9 games and after having been promised a spot which the team failed to come through on and it will have damaged their Euro free agent pipeline going forward (which might actually save this management team from itself).

A player who did not deserve to be on the roster blocked Sandin and Liljegren from being able to compete for the #7 spot or from getting into games despite both of them having essentially maxed out their development in the AHL. Definitely damaging the relationship Sandin and possibly damaging the relationship with Liljegren too.

On value I think the leafs lose, because I think he has value as depth in place of injuries.

That being said I presume this deal was done as he wasn't getting much playing time and the leafs want to keep being attractive to future European free agents and they can say: look we couldn't get a guy playing time so we accommodated him and traded him where he could.

Given the leafs cap woes in the near future keeping that well open is key

he couldn't win a spot over dermott. maybe take up fiction writing if you're going to be so unbearably dramatic.

Saying they have 4 potential starters in the system is a stretch even if you include Andersen and Campbell.

I know I was so wrong about him. I didn't think he was a top pairing though...

Imagine being a prospect for a low market NHL team behind a solid NHL duo in Korpi and Elvis then being told you are now the goaltending messiah that will lead The Toronto Maple Leafs to the promised land :-D

I don't disagree it was a weird signing. It was a no risk move to add depth but it wasn't a need.

After putting stellar numbers for a team with a third of a respectable Dcore for years, while beeing bashed on constantly? I'm shocked.

yes but than Covid happened and we never got a proper training camp nor preseason. He never got an opportunity to prove he could be an NHL dman. If he came next season after Seattle for sure he would have made the team and been in our top 6 but Covid ruined that.

Who knows maybe he will help us shutout Edmonton again next time we meet

For arguments sake he still could become a top pair Dman. Not likely but not impossible.

It's actually a good look for Toronto, and part of the reason European free agents keep signing with us.

They all get a fair shot at making the roster when they come over.
If they can't make the regular roster, a trade gives them a second chance.
Lehtonen is a UFA next year, he needs earn a contract, not sit it the press box.
A lot of GM's would just stash him in the minors / taxi-squad for playoff depth.

That would be a bad look for Toronto though.

Miles Togo ... LMAO ... they turned a free defensemen into a free goalie prospect.

THE HOROR!

And they didn't damage any piplelines lol.

Euros are all promised a chance to make the roster, and then a trade if they don't make it (ie - a second chance somewhere else).

That's why they all want to sign here.

I agree.

I actually agree that it could be worse. It can always be worse.

I imagine a pretty standard conversation occurred. Player- I just want a fair shot and an opportunity to prove myself.
GM- the best players play. Everyone gets a fair shot.

Then plays 9 games out of 28 and thinks to himself...ive been in less than a third of the games...why did I ever come here? Its a very real thought and neither side is 100% wrong.

Yes hes a pending UFA. Guess what, he was last year too. Thats my point. Look at the Hawks. 7 or 8 Euros getting multi million dollar contracts the last few years. That's an example Euro's can look to and see a track record of something working out. Not sorry you didn't even get to play in 1/3 of our games.

im not bashing him in the least. this move makes me think Andersen wants out as opposed to the team wanting Andersen to leave. why would they aquire yet another goalie? it makes no sense. this summer they signed Dell even though they have a capable backup... it might not mean anything but thats my hypothesis.