Lehtera is making too much money, but...

The guy has played two NHL seasons. He's not a bad 2C and has the ability to become a better North American player. I believe that his point totals will climb once his line mates stay consistent.

Consider this: He's making a mil more than Berglund.

$4.7mm for a 2C is not an extravagant expenditure.
- eggsegan

My issue was the timing of the extension

He had a pretty good first season and got rewarded big time

He regressed last season and is not worth more than Berglund

My issue was the timing of the extension

He had a pretty good first season and got rewarded big time

He regressed last season and is not worth more than Berglund
- sycsam

Many players see a regression in their second year. His game will improve. Give it time.

He can get credit for that but he also gets the blame for the Lehtera and Bouwmeester contracts that have handcuffed him this offseason thus far
- sycsam

No doubt there are legit criticisms.

I didn't have an issue at the time with the Bouwmeester re-signing because I didn't see his game deteriorating as rapidly as it did this year.

The Lehtera signing (like the most recent Jake Allen signing) seemed a bit premature to me.

I also thought he mis-handled the coaching situation last year with Hitchcock and Babcock, et al as badly as you could mis-handle something.

No doubt there are legit criticisms.

I didn't have an issue at the time with the Bouwmeester re-signing because I didn't see his game deteriorating as rapidly as it did this year.

The Lehtera signing (like the most recent Jake Allen signing) seemed a bit premature to me.

I also thought he mis-handled the coaching situation last year with Hitchcock and Babcock, et al as badly as you could mis-handle something.
- bcallaway

At least this year they are doing what they said they would

get younger and faster

Will they be better who knows

Now that Backes Brouwer and Ott are gone who will other teams fans target as the dirty blues this year.

Now that Backes Brouwer and Ott are gone who will other teams fans target as the dirty blues this year.
- sycsam

Perron, Lehtera, Edmondson, Bortuzzo, Reeves...

Perron, Lehtera, Edmondson, Bortuzzo, Reeves...
- eggsegan

Lehtera?

The others I can see sort of but Lehtera?

That is like saying Tarasenko is dirty

Lehtera?

The others I can see sort of but Lehtera?

That is like saying Tarasenko is dirty
- sycsam

Lehtera is a bit dirty. He battles hard and cross checks in the fo circle. You have see the other teams' reaction to him, it is intense.

He cross checks a lot and hacks and whacks with the best of them. In the corners he does some things as well. Is he the dirtiest player in the world? No. Does he make a lot of dangerous hits? No. So it is not as obvious as others.

Lehtera is a bit dirty. He battles hard and cross checks in the fo circle. You have see the other teams' reaction to him, it is intense.

He cross checks a lot and hacks and whacks with the best of them. In the corners he does some things as well. Is he the dirtiest player in the world? No. Does he make a lot of dangerous hits? No. So it is not as obvious as others.
- BluemanGuruu

I guess I don't pay that much attention to him

I guess I don't pay that much attention to him
- sycsam

He plays like a Finn. Gritty, lots of stick, tries to be as physical as possible without being noticed by the ref.

Esa Tikkanen was one of the dirtiest players of his era, but got away with tons. It's the retaliation...

Lehtera is a bit dirty. He battles hard and cross checks in the fo circle. You have see the other teams' reaction to him, it is intense.

He cross checks a lot and hacks and whacks with the best of them. In the corners he does some things as well. Is he the dirtiest player in the world? No. Does he make a lot of dangerous hits? No. So it is not as obvious as others.
- BluemanGuruu

To me, Lehtera just plays old time hockey. 20, maybe even 15, years ago, no one would bat an eye at any of that kind of play. I like Lehtera, I think he is a cog in Tarasenko's production. I'd like to see what the STL line can do with a full, healthy season.

To me, Lehtera just plays old time hockey. 20, maybe even 15, years ago, no one would bat an eye at any of that kind of play. I like Lehtera, I think he is a cog in Tarasenko's production. I'd like to see what the STL line can do with a full, healthy season.
- RobShouts

Sure, sure. Just saying he is one of those guys that draws the ire of the other team.

- carcus

The Scheifele contract sets a pretty comparable number to what Schwartz should be looking at on a long term deal. 6.125 cap hit for 8 years. And that's with Sheiflele having one more RFA year and slightly lower points per game than Schwartz.

The Scheifele contract sets a pretty comparable number to what Schwartz should be looking at on a long term deal. 6.125 cap hit for 8 years. And that's with Sheiflele having one more RFA year and slightly lower points per game than Schwartz.
- fattyboubatty

make it an even 50M to be paid out over 8 years. 6.25M per

The Scheifele contract sets a pretty comparable number to what Schwartz should be looking at on a long term deal. 6.125 cap hit for 8 years. And that's with Sheiflele having one more RFA year and slightly lower points per game than Schwartz.
- fattyboubatty

Why hand ut eight year deals? Gt to be careful with those.