When everyone is healthy for the Montreal Canadiens, it is fair to say that this team has a lot of depth on the "wings". When everyone is in uniform, Artturi Lehkonen and Joel Armia will be on the fourth combination, which is still excellent.
However, their combined salary is $5.7 million, which is certainly expensive for a fourth line. On the Leafs, the fourth line overall earns less than Joel Armia, who carries an average salary of $3.4 million.
That being said, with the youth growing, the future return of Paul Byron and the return of other casualties, will Marc Bergevin be tempted to move Lehkonen at the trade deadline?
"Lehko" will become a restricted free agent at the end of the calendar, then maybe Bergevin won't be willing to pay this one more than $2.3 million, his current salary. That's already very expensive for a 4th line forward...
Yes, Lehkonen is very effective defensively, in forechecking and in puck possession, but even if Dominique Ducharme believes he can score goals, he is simply unable to do so. He just thinks too much!
