Releasing Lehtivuori Would Solve Flyers Contract Woes

It has been widely discussed here how the Flyers are currently at the 50-contract limit and training camp hasn’t even begun. The limit prevents the organization from signing players out of training camp (Michael Nylander and Sean Couturier come to mind) whether they deserve a roster spot or not.

Heading into the season without that flexibility is also less than desirable, particularly at the trade deadline.

There are no preferred solutions for making space, whether its through trades, buyouts, or unconditional waivers (essentially a buyout as well). The third option, however, makes a ton of sense considering the predicament of defensive prospect Joonas Lehtivuori.

Lehtivuori, drafted #101 overall in 2006 by the Flyers, asked to leave the Adirondack Phantoms halfway through last season (as discussed here). He was unhappy living in Glen Falls and didn’t particularly enjoy playing North American style hockey. The organization ended up loaning him to Kalpa, the Finnish team co-owned by Kimmo Timonen, Scott Hartnell, and former Flyer Sami Kapanen.

Teemu of Broad Street Hockey reported on twitter on Friday that Lehtivuori has accepted a tryout with Modo, a team in the Swedish Elitserien that was the home of Peter Forsberg for the last few years. It may not be the NHL, but it’s an excellent league to compete in if he makes the team. Former Flyer Ulf Samuelsson is also the head coach.

If Lehtivuori isn’t considering the Phantoms as an option next season, there is no upside in retaining his rights. He has virtually no value for a trade and is eating up valuable contract space. It’s unfortunate that his future with the Flyers has ended so prematurely, but it would be better that they cut their losses now than suffer for it in September.

It’s a no brainer, honestly. To take a cue from Michael Scott, it’s a win-win-win situation.

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