Todd Cordell: On the New Jersey Devils' rumored interest in Mikko Lehtonen

Getting an asset without having to give up any existing assets is always a smart move. Hope he signs here. I do think he will sign with Rags though.

Can the rangers afford him next season? He is going to command a decent contract. Gusev wanted 4.5m a year for being a KHL top winger. I can see Mikko wanting between 4.5 - 5.5 for a two year contract, so he has a huge pay day for his 28 year old Contract. He won’t want to sign his next NHL contract at over 30.

I just don’t see the rangers swinging the cap space unless they do something with Hank this summer. They have like 3.8m in cap space. Fast is just under 2m and I believe he is the only UFA. Strome and D’angelo are RFA’s most likely looking for a raise. The rangers are too tight on space to provide a competitive offer.

If he signs with the team he’ll play a few games, spend more in the press box and then be sent to the ahl.

Just food for thought, I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that although lehtonen is a lefty he prefers the right side so take that into consideration. It’s never a bad thing to get an asset that good for free but is it really a match if you got subban, severson, and if he’s nhl ready ty smith on that side.

Just food for thought, I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that although lehtonen is a lefty he prefers the right side so take that into consideration. It’s never a bad thing to get an asset that good for free but is it really a match if you got subban, severson, and if he’s nhl ready ty smith on that side.
- RedC21

Yes if you trade Severson, which has been rumored to be happening. A number of teams are stacked on offense and need defensive help (Toronto). Severson is already locked up at a cap friendly $4mil the next 3 years.

Getting an asset without having to give up any existing assets is always a smart move. Hope he signs here. I do think he will sign with Rags though.
- redmonsters

Rags do have some stellar RD, and absolutely no competition at LD, so I could see why he would like the fit. That being said, Dev's can offer far better compensation (Gusev-esque), where the Rangers would require a hefty discount. That DeAngelo is having a stellar season, and is due for a BIG raise. Strome's 0.84ppg is likely commanding a decent raise as well. With the Cap likely staying flat, they would likely need to ditch Staal paired with a 1st to make everything work. But that is the Rangers way. Buyout Shatts + Trouba's cap hit totals 14M AAV this season. With DeAngelo being their best RD, and Fox arguably better as well, it was a move that made little sense. Lucky for them, they have a very easy time recruiting players.

If the front runners truly are Mtl, Njd, and LA, I like our odds. LA doesn't show much promise (after so much success), and are an aging team trending downward. Mtl is good, but the media tends to scare alot of players away. NJ has openings at LD, and a very high quality young group going forward. But who knows, Devs usually fly under the radar and make deals nobody was expecting.

Just food for thought, I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that although lehtonen is a lefty he prefers the right side so take that into consideration. It’s never a bad thing to get an asset that good for free but is it really a match if you got subban, severson, and if he’s nhl ready ty smith on that side.
- RedC21

Smith and Lehtonen are both lefties that play right. All depends how the guy can handle the smaller ice surface. He's going to have far less time and space so playing on the left might be a wise start for him (Certainly RD on the PP tho). Regardless, I would be psyched if we can land him on a short term contract. If he truly is deadset on playing RD, there are openings. Plus that pretty much eliminates the rangers who are stacked on the right.

I don't see them trading Sevo, maybe retaining salary and trading PK. Even with neither traded they can play:

Butcher-PK
Smith/Lehtonen-Severson
Dermis/Mueller- Smith/Lehtonen
Bahl-Carrick

Smith and Lehtonen are both lefties but since their offe sive prefer to play on the opposite side. Which ever one in training camp seems more offensive and less teo-way plays the right and the other plays the left and as someone said when it comes to the PP for sure pmay the right side.[/img]

I don't see them trading Sevo, maybe retaining salary and trading PK. Even with neither traded they can play:

Butcher-PK
Smith/Lehtonen-Severson
Dermis/Mueller- Smith/Lehtonen
Bahl-Carrick

Smith and Lehtonen are both lefties but since their offe sive prefer to play on the opposite side. Which ever one in training camp seems more offensive and less teo-way plays the right and the other plays the left and as someone said when it comes to the PP for sure pmay the right side.
- Dirtyjerseydevils[/img]

I don't get why P.K would get the 1RD spot. Is it because he makes 9M? His play is certainly not indicitive of a top 2 pairing. Severson is way better, Mermis was better (but I doubt he sustains that), and Smith has a good shot of being a better player in his rookie season. If we have the option of trading P.K for something of value while retaining something around 3M AAV, make the deal!!!! That 6M in saved space could be better spent, and whatever asset we recover is simply a bonus. The "veteran" is an absolute liability in our zone, and his offensive capabilities are dropping off at an alarming rate. He's basically Dion at this point.

6, 10 and 17. The more time that goes by through this terrible pandemic and the consequences of it.. the more it looks like these will be our picks, and it's hard to have any grudges picking there. It's almost a slam dunk. The risk we lose more spots and drop to 7th, 8th, 9th.. or that 10th and 17th overall goes further back or isn't there at all. I'll take these picks and run. We could really beef up our franchise for the next 10-15 years.

........kind of like how the Eagles could've added a top tier WR for the next 10-15yrs.. but settled on a short speedy guy and a NON-STARTER instead of trading both picks for a franchise tall, fast, strong, sure-handed receiver that they desperately need.
but who knows.
At least we're not the Eagles.

Go Devils!

6, 10 and 17. The more time that goes by through this terrible pandemic and the consequences of it.. the more it looks like these will be our picks, and it's hard to have any grudges picking there. It's almost a slam dunk. The risk we lose more spots and drop to 7th, 8th, 9th.. or that 10th and 17th overall goes further back or isn't there at all. I'll take these picks and run. We could really beef up our franchise for the next 10-15 years.

........kind of like how the Eagles could've added a top tier WR for the next 10-15yrs.. but settled on a short speedy guy and a NON-STARTER instead of trading both picks for a franchise tall, fast, strong, sure-handed receiver that they desperately need.
but who knows.
At least we're not the Eagles.

Go Devils!
- MartysBetter88

All busts

6, 10 and 17. The more time that goes by through this terrible pandemic and the consequences of it.. the more it looks like these will be our picks, and it's hard to have any grudges picking there. It's almost a slam dunk. The risk we lose more spots and drop to 7th, 8th, 9th.. or that 10th and 17th overall goes further back or isn't there at all. I'll take these picks and run. We could really beef up our franchise for the next 10-15 years.

........kind of like how the Eagles could've added a top tier WR for the next 10-15yrs.. but settled on a short speedy guy and a NON-STARTER instead of trading both picks for a franchise tall, fast, strong, sure-handed receiver that they desperately need.
but who knows.
At least we're not the Eagles.

Go Devils!
- MartysBetter88

Seriously, with the top-heavy depth in this draft and 3 picks in top 17 (2 potentially top 10) this franchise could really take a step forward. I am just hoping they don't blow it on some reaches. Take the BPA on your list and move on. This team has been so disappointing for the past 7 out of 8 years, I am just not confident they don't blow it.

Can the rangers afford him next season? He is going to command a decent contract. Gusev wanted 4.5m a year for being a KHL top winger. I can see Mikko wanting between 4.5 - 5.5 for a two year contract, so he has a huge pay day for his 28 year old Contract. He won’t want to sign his next NHL contract at over 30.

I just don’t see the rangers swinging the cap space unless they do something with Hank this summer. They have like 3.8m in cap space. Fast is just under 2m and I believe he is the only UFA. Strome and D’angelo are RFA’s most likely looking for a raise. The rangers are too tight on space to provide a competitive offer.
- Htowntigers89

On of the things the smart teams do is they add the assets and then figure out how to make it work. Nashville couldn't afford Matt Duchene, but they got us to clear $9M in cap space for them (not complaining just saying). Rangers will have more work to do if they sign him but I doubt they'd let the cap issue stop them.

With the insanity going on the league might even pass some buy out rules to help teams out.

If they believe the guy is legit (like Goose was) then they should go hard and offer more money and term.

Todd Cordell: On the New Jersey Devils' rumored interest in Mikko Lehtonen
- Todd.Cordell

Well that didn’t work out

He gone

Well that didn’t work out
- shvingter88

As is tradition

Funny how things work out.

Toronto has zero cap space and is using over $13M in LTIR and signs this guy. We have almost $9M in caps PLUS almost $8M in retained salary (Hall, Vats and Simmonds) coming off the books at seasons end and we cant' sign Richard.

Well...at least he didn't go to the Rangers *shugs* silver linings?

Well...at least he didn't go to the Rangers *shugs* silver linings?
- devilspep

Yes but now we have to hear about how this was the final piece for the leafs

Funny how things work out.

Toronto has zero cap space and is using over $13M in LTIR and signs this guy. We have almost $9M in caps PLUS almost $8M in retained salary (Hall, Vats and Simmonds) coming off the books at seasons end and we cant' sign Richard.
- Queenie_5_hole

Toronto is a top NHL destination. Part of the appeal is things they spend $ on that is not counted against the cap.

Dubas is a great GM.

Toronto is a top NHL destination. Part of the appeal is things they spend $ on that is not counted against the cap.

Dubas is a great GM.
- RogerRoeper

Sure he is

Yes but now we have to hear about how this was the final piece for the leafs
- shvingter88

It's ok. we got Nieds and 3 cups from them. they can have this kid.