The @MapleLeafs have loaned defenceman Mikko Lehtonen to Jokerit (KHL).
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The Circle of COVID Life: Lehtonen back to the KHL
By Jon Steitzer
Aug 1, 2020, 09:27 EDTUpdated: Aug 1, 2020, 09:37 EDT
Following the rumours we say regarding Egor Korshkov last week, we have news of Mikko Lehtonen returning to Europe, today…
The @MapleLeafs have agreed to loan defenseman Mikko Lehtonen to #Jokerit. Lehtonen was the #KHL’s top defenseman last season and will join the team next week.
Since Lehtonen isn’t eligible to play for the Leafs until the start of the 2020-21 season this seem like the necessary move to get him playing sooner and ready to start his career with the Leafs.
How safe playing in the KHL in the middle of a global pandemic remains to be seen, but looking at this strictly from a getting on the ice perspective it makes sense.
Hopefully he’ll be in Leafs camp later this fall, pushing the current group of defensemen.
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