The Columbus Blue Jackets announced a trade on Friday, sending goaltender Veini Vehvilainen to the Toronto Maple Leafs for defenseman Mikko Lehtonnen.
TRADE: #CBJ have acquired defenseman Mikko Lehtonen from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for goaltender Veini Vehvilainen.
Lehtonen, 27, made his #NHL debut this season, collecting 0-3-3 in 9 games with the Leafs.https://t.co/JStAJ1E5qQ
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) March 12, 2021
Lehtonen will be joining the taxi squad once he is able to join the team and cross the border.
#CBJ say D Mikko Lehtonen, just acquired in the trade with @MapleLeafs for G Veini Vehviläinen, will join the Blue Jackets’ taxi squad after he obtains a work visa and clears COVID protocols.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 12, 2021
Lehtonen, a former KHL All Star, put up 17-32-49 in 60 games played before debuting with the Maple Leafs this year and posting 0-3-3.
More to come on this trade in the coming days.