Columbus Blue Jackets Defenseman Says Goodbye To NHL, Signs Big KHL Deal

After the Columbus Blue Jackets assigned defenseman Mikko Lehtonen to the AHL, he refused to report. Now, the 27-year-old has signed a four-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.

Mikko Lehtonen signs a four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL. He recently refused an AHL assignment from the #CBJ and the sides mutually terminated his $900,000, one-year NHL contract.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 17, 2021

Lehtonen has been stellar in the KHL these last two seasons. During the 2019-20 season with Jokerit, he scored 17 goals and had 49 points in 60 games. With this, he would lead all KHL defenseman in points. Before the start of last regular season, he returned to Jokerit on a loan from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Once again, he was fantastic, as he recorded 17 points in 17 games.

Lehtonen signed with the Maple Leafs during May of last year and had a bit of hype following him because of his KHL success. However, he wasn't able to secure a full-time spot with the team and played just nine games as a Leaf. From here, he would be dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for goaltender Veini Vehvilainen. With Columbus, he had three assists in 17 games.

Lehtonen will now have the chance to return to the KHL for a long time and that may be best for him. Do not be surprised to see him put high offensive totals again.