DENVER | Artturi Lehkonen comes out of a morning practice a few hours before Game 2 of the Western Finals. The Finn invites Montreal journalists to walk with him in a corridor of the Ball Arena.
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Lehkonen is carrying a big bag with jerseys and caps from his new team, the Colorado Avalanche. He will give them as gifts to his loved ones. Number 62 has not changed. He still has his deep radio voice, but he is not the type of player to go into the greatest confidences. But we feel happy in his new environment.
“Obviously it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Lehkonen said. It is the most pleasant time of the year. I just want to enjoy it. It’s quite simple. »
” I feel good. This is the most exciting moment. You don’t get that chance often. You have to take advantage of it. I hope that last year’s experience will help me. I take it one day at a time. I don’t want to look too far. »
A role in the top six
In Denver, Lehkonen is an important piece of the Avalanche puzzle. Jared Bednar found him a role in one of the first two lines. Since the start of the playoffs, he has spent time on the wing of the first line or second line with Nathan MacKinnon or Nazem Kadri as center.
Heading into Game 2 against the Oilers, Lehkonen had gone 97:49 with Gabriel Landeskog and 97:00 with Kadri at five-on-five. Also according to data from the naturalstattrick site, he also had a playing time of 43 min 45 s with MacKinnon and 35 min 10 s with Valeri Nichushkin.
“We have several good players, I enjoy playing with Kadri or MacKinnon,” said Lehkonen with a smile in his voice. We are talking about elite players in the NHL. I’m just looking to bring my own game.”
“When I’m with MacKinnon, I have to go at top speed at all times,” he continued. Nathan is such an explosive skater, he can take off quickly. I need to read the game a bit more in advance. But MacKinnon is the one dictating the game, I have to make sure I follow him.
A good supplement
In eleven games, Lehkonen amassed 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists) in addition to maintaining a differential of +5 with an average playing time of 16 min 43 s.
“He’s great for us,” Bednar said. He is a complete player on 200 feet. He’s found ways to contribute offensively and he’s a good addition to our talented players because of his hard work. He is good at forechecking and he helps the team on special teams, both shorthanded and on the power play. He’s a key addition to our top six offensively. »
Lehkonen is now described as a vital player for a team aspiring to win the Stanley Cup.
During the 2020-2021 season, he had however watched nine games from the press gateway under the guidance of Claude Julien and Dominique Ducharme.
“That’s hockey,” he replied when reminded of that stat. Sometimes it is like that. There are times when you don’t play well, there are times when you play well. »
June 24
Joe Sakic paid quite a high price to lure Lehkonen to the mountains of Colorado. At the March 21 trade deadline, the Avalanche GM sacrificed defenseman Justin Barron, a pick of
1st round in 2020, in addition to offering a 2nd round choice in 2024 to the Habs.
“It was a shock at the start,” said the 26-year-old winger. But everything was happening quickly. I arrived in Denver the day after the trade. I spent nine years with the Canadiens organization. It’s a lot of years. »
Lehkonen will have worn the CH uniform for almost six full seasons. Of his time in Montreal, the date of June 24, 2021 will remain his most memorable moment.
“It was amazing. I will always remember this game. We won in overtime. We went to the final. For me, to score that goal was big. It was a unique moment. »
On Saint-Jean-Baptiste night, Lehkonen scored after a fine pass from Phillip Danault the winning goal in a 3-2 overtime win in Game 6 against the Vegas Golden Knights.