An Overseas Update on 4 Toronto Maple Leafs Loan Players

Mikko Lehtonen

Age: 26

H/W: 5’11″/196lbs

POS: D

Current Team: Jokerit Helsinki (KHL)

If your a Toronto Maple Leafs Fan and have not heard of the Finnish defenseman Mikko Lehtonen, you’ve probably been living under a rock. The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Lehtonen in May and due to the Pandemic, he has remained on loan from the Leafs and is for Jokerit of the KHL for the time being. Oh and don’t let me forget, he is lighting it up.

Lehtonen has now registered 13 points in 10 games. He still leads all KHL defenceman in scoring and it doesn’t seem he’ll be slowing down any time soon. Lehtonen’s smooth-skating, head up vision, and silky mitts make him a lethal weapon from the backend.

Lehtonen is no stranger to big minutes as well. With Jokerit, he is leading his team with a 22:11 TOI/G. He’s got the knack for scoring too. In 10 games, he’s taken 46 shots and has scored 6 goals for a 13.0 SH%. On Friday alone Lehtonen took 7 shots while still notching an assist.

The question isn’t if Lehtonen will be on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster, but rather where he’ll end up. Once the NHL does start back up (presumably in January) Lehtonen will join the Leafs in at least a top-six role.

His offensive capability will make him an excellent 1B powerplay option after Morgan Rielly and that’s exactly where newly appointed PP coach Manny Malhotra will want to put him. Beyond the PP, Lehtonen’s ability to play big minutes allows him to slide up and down the lineup if injuries present themselves.

(Unless otherwise noted, all stats hockeydb.com)

That concludes your Toronto Maple Leafs overseas roundup.