Two Turku strikers are now playing in the Colorado Avalanches.
Artturi Lehkonen played for the Montreal Canadiens for almost six seasons. Playing in a puck town like Montreal is a mentally intense affair. Lehkonen’s career continues at the Colorado Avalanches. AOP
Artturi Lehkonen the new residence is in Denver. Colorado Avalanche acquired a 26-year-old striker from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a defender Justin Barroniinas well as the second round of booking rights in the summer 2024 draft.
– We got a hardworking and reliable player. Coaching knows what you get from him every night. In my opinion, he is underestimated in the direction of attack, Avalanche star player Mikko Rantanen estimates his new teammate.
– And Arsi is also a good dude.
Lehkonen reached the top on a concrete basis. On the day of the transfer, the Canadiens were the team with the lowest points in the NHL. The Avalanche, in turn, lead the league.
Sakic asked
Rantanen was angry about the deal. Hall rumors are also circulating in the United States.
– I heard a rumor in the hall a couple of days ago that Lehkonen might be coming to us. Then our general manager (Joe Sakic) called and asked about him.
– I praised Ars as much as I could. He owes me dinner now. Well, I don’t think so, Rantanen laughs.
The duo’s game numbers are amazingly identical. Rantanen, the man of the climbs, has played 392 NHL regular season matches. Lehkonen, who comes from Piikkiö, has 396 games.
– I didn’t know that the number of games is about close to each other. Yes, I remember the rookie season being played at the same time.
It will be interesting to see if the Finnish players will be put in the same chain at first.
Ice training together
Mikko Rantanen, who plays the artillery season, got Artturi Lehkonen as his teammate. The duo will train together in Turku during the summer. AOP
The duo will be training for part of the summer.
– The ice part of the summer training is completed together in August each year. Familiar guy, Rantanen says.
Rantanen has been playing and living in the Denver area since 2016.
How are you going to welcome your acquaintance to Denver?
– I haven’t had time to think about that. Maybe let the man be alone but.
Depth
The NHL transfer window closed on Monday at 9 pm Finnish time. Avalanche acquired four new players.
In addition to Lehkonen, a veteran striker of more than a thousand games moved to Kalliovuori Andrew Coglianocenters Nico Sturm and defender Josh Manson.
– Four new players joined our lineup. We have a lot of attackers in the lower fields. It brings more competition to the team. It also inspires everyone on this team.
– It also sends a message from the big gentlemen of the office, we have the opportunity to fight for big things in the spring.
Towards spring
59 regular season games and 73 power points. Rantanen is playing hard again.
– My games have gone hand in hand with team games. I’m pretty pleased, the 25-year-old striker thinks.
However, the ideas of “Rane” are further away from the regular season games.
– It will decide what happens from May onwards. We want to succeed. Everything will be loaded into it this spring.