Perhaps the Habs best all-around winger, the Montreal Canadiens announced Artturi Lehkonen out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.
#Habs advise Lehkonen is out indefinitely with a lower body injury. Julien says Lehkonen has been playing with it for a while but it became “unbearable”, so he’s being shut down.
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNWpg) November 15, 2017
Artturi Lehkonen out as Montreal Canadiens Injuries Continue
Lehkonen has two goals and five points in 18 games this season. He is playing more than 16 minutes a game. While he has played on the top line this season, he has struggled offensively. Last year, Lehkonen had 18 goals and 10 assists in 73 games, playing only 13 minutes per game. He seemed to get better as the year progressed. For example, Lehkonen had six goals and four assists in the last 10 games of the season. He went on to score two goals and had two assists in the playoffs. He was touted as a player with potential for a major step forward this year.
Drafted 55th overall (2nd round) in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Habs, between 2013 and 2015 he benefited from the coaching he received from NHL veteran Sami Kapanen in Finland and Frolunda coach Roger Rönnberg in Sweden. Lehkonen was poised in his three appearances at the World Junior Hockey Championship. He led Finland to a gold medal in 2015.
Line up Changes
Last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Lehkonen’s absence resulted in some line changes.
Newest lineup with Lehkonen now being out. Byron moves to top li e and Hudon is reunited with Plekanec. #Habs #CH #Canadiens #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/28So9o8lz9
— Blain (@BlainPotvin_THW) November 14, 2017
Torrey Mitchell was a late scratch due to flu and forced Claude Julien to use defenseman Victor Mete at left wing on the fourth line Tuesday.
Injury is “Unbearable”
Lehkonen was scratched prior to Tuesday’s loss to the Blue Jackets. CBS quoted coach Julien: “It’s coming to the point where it was unbearable and we needed to shut him down. If we want him to be better, we had to shut him down.”
This is very bad news for a team dealing with injuries up and down the line. Lehkonen may not be scoring goals but is doing numerous other things that make the Canadiens better. He is smart, defensively responsible, and has had some good looks playing with Alex Galchenyuk. Given Julien’s comments, the Canadiens are likely to a call-up a player from the Laval Rocket.
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