Toronto Maple Leafs: Is Brennan Menell the Next Mikko Lehtonen?

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman, Brennnan Menell, this summer after acquiring his rights from the Minnesota Wild.

Menell is getting compared to former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mikko Lehtonen, who the club signed the prior offseason, but how similar are they?

Both Brennan Menell and Mikko Lehtonen were top scorers among KHL defensemen the year before they signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Mikko Lehtonen lead all KHL defensemen in goals and points with 17 goals and 49 points in 2019-20 while Brennan Menell lead all KHL defensemen in assists and was second in points with 33 assists and 38 points in 2020-21.  (hockeydb.com).

Both players are also undrafted, but after that, most of the comparisons end.  Mikko Lehtonen shoots left; Brennan Menell shoots right.  Mikko Lehtonen developed in Europe while Brennan Mennell developed in North America.

Brennan Menell Before the Toronto Maple Leafs

Brennan Menell broke out the season after his first year of NHL draft eligibility when he recorded 53 points in 69 games for the Vancouver Giants in the WHL.  After surpassing that total with 71 points in 70 games the next season with the OHL’s  Lethbridge Hurricanes, he signed an entry level contract with the Minnesota Wild.

Brennan Menell found himself on the Minnesota Wild’s AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild.  He began to find his rhythm in the AHL during his second season putting up 44 points in 70 games in 2018-19 before becoming a dominant AHL defenseman the following season.

In 2019-20, Brennan Menell lead all AHL defensemen in assists and was second in points (to Jake Bean) with 42 assists and 47 points in 57 games.  Brennan Menell played in the 2020 AHL All-Star Game and was named to the 2020 AHL First All-Star Team.

His AHL success awarded Brennan Menell a call up to the NHL, but he was pointless in his 5 game stint with the Minnesota Wild.  Because of the uncertain of North American hockey caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Menell elected to join the KHL’s Dinamo Minsk on a one-year deal for the 2020-21 season instead of re-signing as an RFA with the Minnesota Wild.

What to Expect from Brennan Menell on the Toronto Maple Leafs

Brennan Menell is a great skater and playmaker who can quarterback a powerplay.  Some say he still needs to mature a bit defensively, and he’s not known for his shot or goal scoring ability.

Mikko Lehtonen was also known as a powerplay specialist but more notably for his shot and ability to score in the KHL, though he was unable to score in 26 NHL games last season.  Lehtonen was also criticized for his inability to adapt to the North American style of play, whereas Brennan Menell has played nearly his entire career in North America.

Brennan Menell is 24 years old, so he’s coming to the Toronto Maple Leafs at a younger age than Mikko Lehtonen who is now 27.  Menell also signed a two-way contract which shows that he may be willing to spend time with the Marlies if he can’t find a spot in the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup right away.

Brennan Menell would have to make an extremely good impact in training camp to make the opening night roster for the Toronto Maple Leafs.  I could see him as their 7th defenseman though much like Mikko Lehtonen’s role with the team last season.

Timothy Liljegren may be Brennan Menell’s biggest competition for a roster spot, though Liljegren is still waiver exempt, and it may make more sense for Liljegren to get time playing with the Marlies instead of sitting in the press box with the Toronto Maple Leafs.