On Friday, the Blue Jackets acquired 27-year-old defenseman Mikko Lehtonen from the Maple Leafs in exchange for goaltender Veini Vehvilainen.
In 2019-20, Lehtonen led all KHL defensemen in goals, assists and points with 17-32-49 in 60 games and was selected to play in the KHL All-Star Game. He then made his way over to North America, tallying 0-3-3 in nine games with the Maple Leafs this year. He'll join the Blue Jackets' taxi squad after obtaining a work visa and clearing quarantine, and is currently on a one-year, entry level contract.
Vehvilainen, 24, made one appearance for the Blue Jackets this season, stopping 3 of 4 shots in a relief appearance against the Dallas Stars. He was the Blue Jackets' sixth-round draft pick in 2018, but with considerable goaltending depth in the organization, the Blue Jackets felt comfortable moving him. Daniil Tarasov is tearing it up in the KHL, and Matiss Kivlenieks is also waiting in the wings.
