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2013 Draft Prospect Profile #30: Artturi Lehkonen

Artturi Lehkonen

Position: Left/Right Wing
Team: KalPa (SM-liiga)
Age: 17
Date of Birth: July 4, 1995
Place of Birth: Piikkiƶ, Finland
Ht: 5’10” Wt: 160 lbs
Shoots: Left

2012-2013 Regular Season Stats:

GP G A PTS +/- PIM
45 14 16 30 +12 12

2012-2013 Playoff Stats:

GP G A PTS +/- PIM
4 2 1 3 -2 2

Artturi Lehkonen is an under-sized, but offensively solid, Finnish forward. He doesn’t have a big frame, but does have a compete level and a willingness to work. He has a very good shot, and a good hockey IQ. He’s a decent skater, but not top-shelf by any means. He doesn’t have the size, but he’s good with the puck, has a top-notch shot, and knows how to get to goal-scoring areas and to finish. He did suffer a concussion this year, and he will need to gain size and strength to play consistently at the NHL level.

Lehkonen is ranked #9 in the final Central Scouting European Skater rankings.

Scouting Reports:

A small winger with good scoring-instincts, Lehkonen is very good with the puck and has good stickhandling. He is highly competitive and while often physically at a disandvantage, Lehkonen is not afraid to enter battles in corners. He must gain strength and add power to his skating and once his physique is at an acceptabale level, Lehkonen can be a major offensive threat and utilize his hockey sense even better.

Matias Strozyk, Elite Hockey Prospects

Lehkonen is a good all-around offensive talent. He possesses every desirable tool except size. His skating might not be explosive, but it is quality, and he displays solid speed and elusiveness. He has above-average puck skills, with quick movements and good coordination. His best skills, however, are his hockey sense and his shot. Lehkonen shows awareness and instinctual ability when creating scoring chances. He has impressive vision as a playmaker, and he regularly makes good passes. Despite these qualities, scouts do not unanimously love him. However, all agree that he is a goal scorer. He has a high-end shot, and a good ability to put himself in positions to score. He will need to bulk up at the next level, as he is a small, slight player. In spite of his size, he works hard on the ice, and his grittiness helps him overcome his stature. One additional area of concern: he suffered from concussion issues this season.

Hockey Prospectus
Undersized winger makes up for it with extremely high skill level… Has great hands and ability to create time and space for himself… Competes hard but often loses battles due to lack of size/strength… Skating is adept but his stride lacks an element of explosiveness.

The Scouting Report

Why he’d be a good fit in Columbus:

Well, guys with a willingness to work, to get to the scoring areas, and with a great shot are guys you want to have. However, Lehkonen is under-sized, both in terms of height and strength. He had problems with a concussion this year, and that’s always a bit of a red flag.

That said, given his scoring ability, and his being from Finland, one wonders if the Roster Viking might not have his eye on a guy like Lehkonen is he’s still there in the second round.

Lehkonen in Action