Colorado Avalanche Find Hidden Gem In Artturi Lehkonen

The Colorado Avalanche are going back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2001. Colorado was one of the best teams all regular season long. That success carried into the playoffs as they hold a 12-2 record going into the Stanley Cup Final. This version of the Colorado Avalanche is deeper than in years past. Everyone talks about what the New York Rangers did at the NHL Trade Deadline. But what about the Avalanche? General manager Joe Sakic found some gems at the deadline, mainly Artturi Lehkonen from the Montreal Canadiens.

For the second year in a row, Lehkonen has sent his team to the Stanley Cup Final with a series-clinching, game-winning overtime goal. In 2021, Lehkonen won the NHL semifinal series against the Vegas Golden Knights with Montreal. On Monday night in Edmonton, Lehkonen did it again propelling the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup Final. Lehkonen has been an excellent find for this Avalanche team.

Artturi Lehkonen Exactly What Colorado Needed

Entering the trade deadline, the Avalanche made a depth move on defence with the addition of Josh Manson. Many thought they were satisfied and were done making moves. However, with time winding down in the day, the Avalanche swooped in and acquired Lehkonen from the Canadiens. The main reason why the Avalanche acquired Lehkonen was the fact that nobody knew how long Gabriel Landeskog was going to be out of the lineup with an injury. But when Landeskog did come back to the lineup, Lehkonen just added depth to an already deep team.

Everyone knew in Montreal what Lehkonen brought to the lineup. He has flourished in the Avalanche lineup. Lehkonen is a very good player as Mike Johnson said on TSN 690 radio.

“He does a lot of stuff well, though some in Montreal wished he could score a little cleaner and produce more points. Lehkonen did a lot of good things all game not only for himself but his teammates. Playing on this stage with this Colorado team has given him validation from what a lot of people in Montreal thought.” Lehky is really good. He might not get you 30 goals, but he is really good and can play with good players.”

And what Colorado gave up for him was just prospect Morgan Barron and a 2nd round pick. Outside of the Andrew Copp deal, this might have been the best trade of the deadline as the Avalanche are back into the Stanley Cup Final.

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What Colorado Is Getting From Lehkonen

Lehkonen is such a valuable player for the Avalanche. As mentioned before, he is a depth forward that will be responsible defensively in his own zone and that is why Colorado traded for him. Not to mention his knowledge of the game will allow Colorado to use him in all situations.

For most of the postseason, he has played on a line with Mikko Rantanen and Nazem Kadri. Kadri, who was having a great postseason, was injured in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final. The chemistry of that line has been outstanding resulting in Lehkonen recording 11 points (six goals and five assists) including three game-winning goals in the postseason.

This line was crucial in Avalanche’s Game 2 victory as they recorded three goals in the second period in a span of 2:04. With Kadri hurt, head coach Jared Bednar moved Lehkonen to the top line in Game 4 alongside Nathan MacKinnon. Lehkonen’s three-point night propelled the Avalanche into the Stanley Cup Final.

Lehkonen’s hockey IQ is hard to match and his foot speed is very sneaky. There is a reason why he can play with good players. His ability to read the play in the offensive zone and make the right passes at the right time to set up teammates for goals is remarkable. Not to mention his defensive ability is excellent as well. Lehkonen is a big reason why Rantanen is out of his slump.

With Kadri still recovering and potentially out of the Stanley Cup Final, the Avalanche are going to rely even more on Lehkonen. Kadri was always the x-factor for the Avalanche to succeed, it is now Artturi Lehkonen.