The Atlanta Thrashers have traded goaltender Kari Lehtonen to the Dallas Stars, according to a report by Atlanta Journal-Constitution beat writer Chris Vivlamore. Another report says that Lehtonen has been held off the team plane Tuesday and that he did not make the trip to Denver with the rest of the team.
Report: Atlanta Ready To Trade Kari Lehtonen
Here’s Vivlamore, posting a comment on blog post he made earlier today before that flight to Denver:
I am hearing more than rumblings that Kari Lehtonen has been traded to Dallas. He didn’t accompany team to Denver. An annoucement could come tonight or tomorrow.
Later in the evening on Twitter, Vivlamore came back with some more news on the possible return to the Thrashers.
Deal for Lehtonen could involve defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy. Maybe a low-round draft pick.
There has been no corroboration of that report just yet, but several sources are saying that a deal is on the verge of completion. Others are saying that the Blues are in the mix as well, and TSN’s Bob McKenzie says that the deal may occur tonight, while putting emphasis on the word “may.”
Lehtonen has not played all season due to back surgery. The 26-year-old has a cap hit of $3 million and is an unrestricted free agent this upcoming summer.
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