Kevin Weeke’s broke the news that forward Artturi Lehkonen is being traded by the Montreal Canadiens to the Colorado Avalanche. The Canadiens continue to sell, moving money off the roster and the Avs don’t give up a first-round pick, but move Justin Barron and a 2024 2nd-Round Draft Pick in the deal.
As per Eric Engels, “Barron was chosen 25th overall by Colorado in 2020. He’s a 6-foot-2, right-shooting defenceman who has five goals and 20 points in 43 games in the AHL this season. Some strong upside here, plus a second-rounder coming back for Artturi Lehkonen.”
Lehkonen acquired by Colorado has been busy this NHL Trade Deadline. They already added Josh Manson and Nico Sturm in previous deals. Lehkonen played for the Canadiens in the playoffs last season and is being considered a well-rounded player that was going to get a big bump in salary next season. He does a little bit of everything and is a hard-working forechecking middle-six winger. He elevates players he’s on the ice with. There was plenty of interest in him from other teams but it wasn’t clear if the Canadiens were going to move him. Getting Barron back made that decision easier.
The reaction to the trade is that Barron is a good prospect and the Canadiens did well to land him as part of the deal. From a Colorado perspective, they’re going for it all this season and are willing to move prospects for a chance to win the Stanley Cup.
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