This is why Artturi Lehkonen is worth his weight in gold
Artturi Lehkonen is not the most spectacular player. He is not the one who is going to sell a tide of jerseys at his team's shop. However, he is undoubtedly the dream player of many coaches.
The advanced statistics speak for themselves and do not lie about it. The Finn is very effective in defense. Moreover, he is the best in the Habs' lineup to limit the shots against. It's the same for the goals against expected (xGA), where he is still the best for the Canadiens. This is a perfect testament to his excellent defensive play.
Lehkonen is one of the top defensive forwards, not only within the Habs, but throughout the NHL. The statistics are there and they show it!
Of course, the Finn will not fill the net in a match or will not see his name at the top of the NHL scorers, but that will never stop him from being an incredible asset for his coach. Despite this, the number 62 can also demonstrate good attacking skills.
He has the ability to generate very high quality scoring chances. In fact, Lehkonen ranks 19th among all left-wingers in the NHL in terms of assists per 60 minutes of ice time (1.51). This shows that he can also have an offensive impact.
So that's why a lot of coaches would take him on their team today. His impeccable work ethic and ability to make the right decision in most situations are other elements that increase his value.
In short, before wishing to see him leave for another team at any cost, we should think about it. At 26 years old, he could still help the CH for several years and become a model for the young prospects of the organization.
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