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The Toronto Maple Leafs made the first roster move in advance of the April 12 trade deadline on Friday, dealing defenseman Mikko Lehtonen to the Columbus Blue Jackets for minor league goaltender Veini Vehviläinen.
Lehtonen was signed by Toronto after scoring 49 points with Jokerit Helsinki last season and winning the KHL equivalent of the Norris Trophy. In nine games with the Leafs, the blueliner had three assists and showed some abilities as a power play quarterback, but failed to earn regular playing time after rotating with Travis Dermott on the bottom pairing early in the season.
"We maintained from the start (that) not having exhibition games really made it difficult for any incoming player to get the chance to get the bugs out, to adjust to the league, show what they can do, earn some additional trust." Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "All things considered, we adjusted to the situation and gave him an opportunity to be in our top six and we had Travis Dermot on the outside through training camp.
We made a decision once the games were getting going, that he needed more time and that's how its worked out but he's definitely a talent and he worked really hard here and waited for his chance. At the same time, we've got a number of other people in the organization that that didn't get the opportunity even that Mikko had here this season that (the trade) will open up a little more space and opportunity for them."
The deal opens up the possibility of GM Kyle Dubas adding an experienced inexpensive depth defenseman at the deadline, but it also could be to clear the way for more playing time for prospects Timothy Liljegren or Rasmus Sandin.
Liljegren continues to show progress with the Marlies, with seven points (1 goal, six assists) in nine games, while Sandin has been out nearly a month with a broken foot after blocking a shot in his first AHL game.
Vehviläinen made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets earlier this month and seen playing time with the AHL Cleveland Monsters and in the Finnish SM-Liiga this season. The 24-year-old Finn will have to quarantine for 14 days before being available to see action.
Woll won in his first start with the Marlies on Friday after spltting time on the Leafs taxi squad and serving as Michael Hutchinson’s backup. With Ian Scott unavailable since training camp with an unspecified lower body injury, ECHLer Andrew D’Agostini made the first 12 AHL starts for Toronto, but it is likely that Vehviläinen will split time with the Leafs goaltending prospect.
Toronto will finish their three-game set with the Winnipeg Jets at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday before heading to Ottawa for a Sunday night contest with the Senators. Frederik Andersen will make his fourth straight start and Travis Boyd will replace Kenny Agostino on the fourth line.
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