Recently, Zeb was able to report for us that the Canadiens were close to getting a deal done with Artturi Lehkonen, and that it would happen soon. That day has come, as the team has announced that they came to terms on a three-year deal with the Finnish forward.
Les Canadiens s’entendent avec l’attaquant Arturri Lehkonen.
DÉTAILS-> https://t.co/EnHXOHANvm #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ONMZFsWNjQ— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) May 8, 2016
It seems obvious that his excellent season in the SHL, in particular that record-breaking playoff run, turned some heads in the Canadiens organization. Given their struggles to produce offence in recent years, it makes sense that they’d want to bring him over and give him a chance to show what he can do.
We also know that Lehkonen wants to play for the Canadiens, but he’ll almost certainly go back to Sweden if he doesn’t make the team out of camp. He has a valid contract with Frolunda, and since he is under 22, and not drafted by Montreal in the first round, the CBA dictates that he has to return to Sweden if he doesn’t make it.
Frolunda also has the option to forego that clause in the CBA, and let him play in the AHL if he can’t crack the lineup. In any case, he certainly looks like he has a good shot of playing in the NHL next season.
