Joe Sakic may have said too much about Lehkonen's future with the Avalanche

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Jeff Drouin
June 30, 2022 (0:43)

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Max Truman, journalist, reported a quote from Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic, which speaks volumes about the future of Artturi Lehkonen in Colorado.

The excellent Max Truman, from Danslescoulisses.com, reported a text from La Presse journalist Guillaume Lefrançois, in which we could have a little idea for the next steps concerning the former Canadiens' player in the American Rockies.

"I hope he blows up our payroll! But that will be in two years, because he already has a contract for next year."

The little detail that needs to be mentioned is that Lehkonen will be a restricted free agent this summer. But what on earth did Joe Sakic mean with this statement?

Would there already be an agreement between the Avalanche and the Lehkonen clan? Or maybe he made this statement in the euphoria of his team's victory? That's a lot of questions at the same time.

First, it should be noted that Lehkonen's rights will belong to the Avalanche for at least one more year, until July 2023. At that point, he will become an unrestricted free agent, but until then, the Avalanche can still sign him long-term.

Secondly, Sakic will only have to make a qualifying offer for him to stay in Colorado next season, which shouldn't cause too many problems, as he was making $2.3 million this year.

But where the situation could hurt the Avalanche is that Lehkonen is eligible for salary arbitration this offseason and Sakic is a bit stuck with the salary cap. It has to be said that with his playoff performances, where he had eight goals and six assists in 20 games, the Finnish forward should be asking for much more than $2.3 million.

This will be an interesting story to follow in the coming weeks, but in my opinion, the number 62 jersey should become very popular with Avalanche fans this summer. Joe Sakic, in the emotion, said a lot and it is interesting!