Lehtonen Atlantan maalinsuulle?
Lehtonen could get the call
OTTAWA (CP) -- For the second season in a row, Thrashers goalie prospect Kari Lehtonen was named the NHL's top prospect by the Hockey News, and it is becoming more likely that he will play for the Thrashers by the end of the season.
In his first season in North America with the Chicago Wolves, the 20-year-old Finn, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 draft, was named to the AHL all-star game but didn't play. He had a mild concussion and since strained his hamstring.
The Thrashers' goaltending has not exactly been stellar in the last two months and their fall from the playoff race has likely enhanced Lehtonen's chances of being called up.
Lehtonen will take part in full practices with the Wolves this week, and Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said it is possible that Lehtonen could be called up next month.
"My plan was that, I said all along, we'd get him in some games at the appropriate time," Waddell told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "First of all, he's got to get healthy and then playing well. With our schedule in the month of March, we have a lot of games, so that would be a good chance to find a place to bring him up."
Eli saattaa olla hyvinkin mahdollista, että Lehtonen pelaa 1. NHL-pelinsä vielä tällä kaudella. Toivottavasti hän käyttää tilaisuuden hyväkseen.