Avalanche acquire Artturi Lehkonen from Canadiens for Justin Barron, 2024 second-round pick

The Colorado Avalanche acquired forward Artturi Lehkonen from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Justin Barron and a 2024 second-round draft pick on Monday, the team announced. Montreal will retain 50 percent of Lehkonen's contract, a source said.

Lehkonen, a restricted free agent this offseason, scored 13 goals and 29 points in 58 games this season for the Canadiens. He has played 396 career NHL games, all with Montreal, with 74 career goals and 149 career points.

Barron was drafted with the No. 25 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Avalanche after spending four seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He has only played two career NHL games.

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(Photo: Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images)

What can Canadiens expect from Barron?

Peter Baugh, Avalanche beat writer: Barron is a quality prospect who could develop into a top-four defenseman. The Avalanche were impressed with his training camp, and he made it until the final few days of cuts. He debuted this season, playing two games in December, and didn't look out of place. It's a tough loss for the Avalanche prospect pool, but with the team's defensive depth and win-now window, it was a sacrifice Joe Sakic was willing to make.

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How does Lehkonen help the Avalanche?

Marc Antoine Godin, Canadiens senior writer: Lehkonen will bring to Denver a brand of hockey that’s perfectly suited for the playoffs with an element of speed and relentlessness on the forecheck. He will help keep the action far away from his own net more often than not, and should become a fixture on the PK. Jared Bednar will be able to use him on both wings and on any line depending on his needs. He's always going to get the same dedicated work from Lehkonen. And not only is he feisty in his own way, but he's also very durable.

For a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, Lehkonen is the perfect complementary player. And if he continues to capitalize on his many scoring chances — after spending several seasons not taking advantage of them — that will make him all the more valuable to the Avs. It's an expensive price to pay, but in the same spirit as Tampa's past acquisitions of Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow, the short-term investment should be worth it.

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