Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
Mikko Lehtonen recently had his contract with Jokerit (KHL) terminated, presumably with the intention of coming to the NHL.
The 26-year-old blueliner is reportedly drawing interest from a handful of teams. The defense-hungry New Jersey Devils are unsurprisingly one of them.
Lehtonen is regarded as a puck moving defender with a big shot and the ability to quarterback a power play. That definitely checks out when looking at the numbers.
He netted 17 goals this season (2nd on Jokerit) and led the team in total scoring with 49 points in 60 games. No defender in the KHL touched either of those totals.
While Lehtonen has never popped off the way he did last season, he’s long been a capable offensive producer. Lehtonen has led his team’s defense in scoring four consecutive years – across three leagues! – and scored 10 or more goals in three of the last four campaigns. The guy can shoot the puck.
A lot of his 2019-20 damage came on the man advantage – no KHL *player* scored more PP markers (11) last season – but I’m not going to knock him for it. I think he deserves credit for being so absurdly productive during those situations.
New Jersey’s left-defense depth chart is extremely thin so Lehtonen would certainly be a welcomed addition. If Ty Smith plays RD, which he mostly did in the WHL, then Will Butcher is the current LD1 with nobody close to pushing him (Mirco Mueller headlines his competition).
The Devils could also use somebody with Lehtonen’s skills on the power play. Over the last two seasons, 103 defensemen have logged at least 60 minutes on the man advantage.
Damon Severson sits 52nd in points/60 and he’s been the Devils’ most efficient PP QB. Will Butcher is lagging well behind in 75th (surprising given how he started his career) and P.K. Subban sits even lower at 82nd.
Two of their three regularly used defenders have produced at below average rates. The other (Severson) has garnered average results.
I think finding somebody with a strong two-way impact at even-strength is more important than *anything* else the Devils do this off-season, however, a PP specialist – if that turns out to be all Lehtonen is – wouldn’t hurt either.
The Devils have a lot of cap space and a rosier situation (less competition) to walk into than most teams. We’ll see if that pays off.
Recent Posts
An early draft would (likely) erase any chance of the Devils getting Lafreniere
A flat cap could be beneficial to the Devils
We should probably temper expectations for Nolan Foote in 2020-21
Report: Devils interviewed Gallant for head coaching position
Ty Smith a finalist for WHL defenseman of the year
Best/most valuable young forward in the Metro?
Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko?
Hotstove: best young goaltender in the Metro Division?
2020-21 player profile: Nikita Gusev
2020-21 player profile: Mackenzie Blackwood
2020-21 player profile: Nico Hischier
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»