We all know the Montreal Canadiens will be sellers at the NHL trade deadline and one player that is getting a lot of trade interest is Montreal Canadiens forward Artturi Lehkonen.
Marco D’Amico of Montreal Hockey Now states the Habs must capitalize on Lekhonen’s trade value before the March 21 NHL Trade Deadline.
D’Amico reports the New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, and Vegas Golden Knights have taken a significant interest in a Lehkonen trade.
Lehkonen is slated to become a restricted free agent this summer and the return the Habs could potentially get would depend on if the acquiring team is able to re-sign Lehkonen to a contract extension.
Habs GM Kent Hughes is looking to free up Montreal’s salary cap space by the summer time free agency period. The cost of re-signing Lekhonen, given the significant interest teams are showing in trying to trade for him, might price him out of Hughes’ comfort zone.
