The Canadiens traded forward Artturi Lehkonen to the Colorado Avalanche.
Posted at 2:04 p.m.
Updated at 2:10 p.m.
In return, the Canadian gets prospect Justin Barron, a former QMJHL drafted in 1er round in 2020, as well as a choice of 2and round in 2024.
Barron is a right-handed defender, a position where the Habs were rather helpless. The 20-year-old has played 43 American League games and two NHL games this season. He has 20 in the American League, none with the Avalanche.
Barron is a former Halifax Mooseheads. The Avalanche drafted him in 25and rank in 2020.
Drafted at 2and tour in 2013, Lehkonen came to 4and rank of Canadiens players in terms of seniority with the team, behind Carey Price (707 games), Brendan Gallagher (625 games) and Jeff Petry (495 games). In 396 games, he amassed 149 points (74 goals, 75 assists).
His inability to capitalize on his scoring chances has often been criticized, but he is currently enjoying his most productive season in the NHL. With 29 points in 58 games, he is two points away from matching his career high in a season.
The Finn has always been seen as a player capable of raising his game in the playoffs. In 33 playoff games, he had six goals and six assists, and three of his goals were game winners. The most memorable is obviously the one in overtime against the Vegas Golden Knights on June 24, sending the Habs to the Stanley Cup final.
Details to come…