The Montreal Canadiens dealt a relatively underachieving Artturi Lehkonen for Justin Barron and a second-round pick to the Avalanche on deadline day.
The deal was a practical matter for both sides. Lehkonen was a one-year deal worth $2.3 million. The Habs felt like they weren’t going to re-sign Lehkonen and wanted to get assets back as they embarked on their rebuild.
Lehkonen has been a solid addition for the Avs. In 16 games in 2022, he added six goals and nine points. That postseason, Lehkonen was money in the bank registering 14 points in 20 games. Though often injured, Lehkonen has been a solid addition for the Avalanche. He scored 34 points in 45 last season. This year, Lehkonen has registered 33 points in 45 games. So, it’s safe to say the Avs got what they wanted from Lehkonen in this trade.
Meanwhile, Barron was a serviceable defenseman for the Habs. He scored a career-high 15 points in 39 games in 2022-23 and 13 points last season. This year, the Habs traded Barron to the Nashville Predators for Alexandre Carrier.
As for the second-round pick, this one may sting a bit for the Avs. The Habs eventually moved the pick to the Los Angeles Kings along with a first-round and seventh-round pick in exchange for the Kings’ 21st overall pick.
With Colorado’s second-rounder (57th overall), the Kings used it to select goalie Carter George. George is among the best-ranked goalie prospects in the NHL at the moment. However, it remains to be seen if George can have a significant impact at the NHL level. Still, we can conclude that the Avs easily won this trade.
