NHL GMs sharply criticize Justin Barron trade, reveal Lehkonen wasn't the target in the first place

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Jeff Drouin
March 29, 2022 (11:08)

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The trade between the Montreal Canadiens and the Colorado Avalanche, involving Artturi Lehkonen and Justin Barron, continues to cause a huge stir (not only on social media) but also throughout the NHL.

Recently, Sidney Crosby couldn't help but comment on the whole thing:

But he's not the only one. An anonymous NHL scout (who recommends his GM on a trade) spoke out on the deal and confided in Alexandre Gascon:

"I was talking with my assistant manager and the word around the league (among GMs) was that the Avalanche paid a lot for Lehkonen's services."

According to his information, it was not Kent Hughes (MTL) who called Joe Sakic (COL), but rather, the other way around.

As reported by our colleagues at Marqueur.com, the Avalanche GM was looking to give away a 2nd round pick and Justin Barron against an impact player. He was initially targeting Claude Giroux, made a few calls and eventually settled on Lehkonen, at the price determined by the Habs GM.

"Colorado wanted to trade their second round pick and Barron for other players. They were trying and trying. At one point, they went to Lehkonen. They called and said, 'Here's what we got.' It wasn't even Montreal that asked for it ... [Kent] Hughes said, 'Go,'" the scout added

Kent Hughes never flinched. We love it! It must be said, Hughes had clearly mentioned it, in a press briefing, that he did not want to trade Lehkonen at all costs, but that for the right offer, he was open.

Barron fills an important need in Montreal and I'm really looking forward to seeing him develop and progress. It will be interesting to look back on this transaction in a few years.