With their 4th pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the Montreal Canadiens select Artturi Lehkonen. As the 4th player the Canadiens have taken today, Lehkonen is actually the highest ranked player coming into the draft.
Lehkonen isn’t a big player, coming in at 5’10” and 163 pounds, but he brings real offense which none of the other Habs picks so far do, first line potential.
Lehkonen is also versatile, as he can play either wing and put up extremely impressive statistics as a 17-year-old in the top Finnish league, the SM-Liiga.
Here’s what Corey Pronman had to say about Lehkonen, who he ranked 24th overall in the draft:
Lehkonen is a good all-around offensive talent. He possesses every desirable tool except size. His skating might not be explosive, but it is quality, and he displays solid speed and elusiveness. He has above-average puck skills, with quick movements and good coordination. His best skills, however, are his hockey sense and his shot. Lehkonen shows awareness and instinctual ability when creating scoring chances. He has impressive vision as a playmaker, and he regularly makes good passes. Despite these qualities, scouts do not unanimously love him. However, all agree that he is a goal scorer. He has a high-end shot, and a good ability to put himself in positions to score. He will need to bulk up at the next level, as he is a small, slight player. In spite of his size, he works hard on the ice, and his grittiness helps him overcome his stature. One additional area of concern: he suffered from concussion issues this season.
Here are his career stats:
