Kent Hughes came very close to not trading Artturi Lehkonen

In the weeks leading up to the trade deadline, Artturi Lehkonen’s name was circulating a lot in the various trade rumors within the NHL. Maybe not as much as Ben Chiarot, who was almost certainly about to leave, but Lehky he was a sought-after fellow, despite the high price demanded for his services.

Finally, we know: He was traded to the Avalanche for defenseman Justin Barron and a second-round pick. Joe Sakic paid a heavy price, but with Lehkonen’s current streak (11 points from 14 games, including the game-winning goal in the West final), he has no regrets at all.

Pierre LeBrun has published today an excellent text in which he takes us behind the scenes of the Lehkonen operation, while offering very interesting information about it.

If there is something that stands out when reading LeBrun’s comments, it is that Kent Hughes did not have Really no intention of exchanging Lehkonen. He really liked what the Finn brought to his training, but for the right price (which was quite high), he was going to consider a transaction.

However, for several weeks, the Avalanche and Joe Sakic were very aggressive about their interest in Lehky. As Hughes claims, Sakic kept coming back to the job, but he never reached Hughes’s asking price. At one point, the latter notes that he almost felt bad for constantly answering “no” to him.

Still, in the final minutes before the deadline, Sakic finally relented and added a second-round pick to his offer. Avalanche wanted to acquire Lehkonen against Barron, one by onebut Hughes wanted more. And he finally got it.

LeBrun also points out that at some point Hughes asked for a particular player against Lehkonen and Sakic immediately refused. I’m inclined to believe it’s probably Bowen Byram or Alex Newhook, but I’m just speculating.

Going back to the trade, Hughes was so convinced that he would not trade Lehkonen that he encouraged his coaching staff after the Brett Kulak trade (the coaches were very disappointed to lose Kulak) by telling them “at least Lehkonen won’t.” Leave”. Oh!

But ultimately, in the end, both teams found their account. CH got two quality assets from Lehkonen in return and the Avalanche are currently in the final, notably thanks to the services provided by the former CH. And even Artturi’s father, Ismo, comes out the winner, he who will finally be able to see his son play in the final while there.

I highly recommend that you read LeBrun’s text (which I’m giving you HERE), who really did an excellent job on the file. We wish Lehkonen the best of luck for the final, of course.

A lot of

– Jean-Brière Trophy (MVP of the QMJHL): Joshua Roy preceded by William Dufour.

– Young Cayden Primeau at the Pee-Wee tournament in Quebec. I like it.

🥰🥰🥰🥰#GoRocket https://t.co/dBoCYXhr5k pic.twitter.com/TEU14dPlcI

— x — Rocket Laval (@RocketLaval) June 15, 2022

– Obviously.

– This will be monitored.

– Let’s see then…