NHL Insider Offers Update on Artturi Lehkonen’s Contract Talks With Avalanche

To no one’s surprise, the Colorado Avalanche have one of the league’s leading goal-scorers through the first four weeks of the regular season. The surprising part is who it is.

It’s not last season’s Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner, Nathan MacKinnon, nor is it Martin Necas, who got off to a scorching start last season.

It’s the third member of the top line, Artturi Lehkonen.

The 31-year-old Finnish forward is in the final season of the five-year contract he signed shortly after the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022. Given his importance to the team and how well he’s fit alongside MacKinnon and Necas, it’s worth wondering what general manager Joe Sakic has planned before Lehkonen becomes an unrestricted free agent next July 1.

Chris Johnston offered some insight into the situation Tuesday during TSN’s Insider Trading segment.

“The sense is there’s nothing really too close in terms of any extension work being done with the Avalanche,” Johnston said. “This is a player who would like to stay in Colorado, all things being equal. But I think he’s an interesting one to watch, especially if he continues with this sort of hot offensive start because he price himself, ultimately, out of the market.”

Also Read:Bednar Opens Up About Avalanche’s Inconsistent Play and Need for Urgency

On one hand, it’s the old adage that the update is … well, there is no update. On the other, it’s worth noting that, despite Lehkonen’s hot start, Sakic and the Avalanche’s front office appear content to let things play out a little longer before making a decision.

Sakic said before the season that the team would let the season get underway before turning its attention to extension talks with Lehkonen. That time hasn’t come yet.

Lehkonen is a significant part of Colorado’s roster, but he’ll also be 32 when next season begins. Sakic has to weigh the value of keeping a key contributor against the longer-term implications of another sizable contract, particularly as the Avalanche look to manage an aging core.

That doesn’t mean Lehkonen should or will be let go because of his age. But it’s a factor the front office has to consider as it continues to commit money to players beyond this season.

Lehkonen’s asking price in an evolving NHL market will also matter. Next season marks the beginning of Cale Makar‘s record-breaking extension, which carries an average annual value of $20.4 million. That will leave the Avalanche with limited cap flexibility as they look to fill out the roster.

How much Lehkonen wants, how long he’s seeking and whether the two sides can find common ground will all factor into what happens next. For now, there doesn’t appear to be much movement on an extension.

Related Headlines

Read more at Colorado Hockey Now