According to Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal, netminder for the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Lassi Lehti is generating interest from some NHL clubs. Divver added that the Boston Bruins are currently scouting the 24-year-old goaltender.
Unlike some other upcoming collegiate free agents, NHL teams likely won’t have to wait until April to entice Lehti to sign. Although the Espoo, Finland native is having a quality campaign, the Nanooks are having a brutal campaign and aren’t expected to qualify for the National tournament, barring an unexpected run.
Still, the Nanooks’ 4-10-1 record has little to do with Lehti. The senior has appeared in 11 of those contests, managing a .921 SV% and 2.59 GAA. Last season, as the team’s backup, Lehti finished with a .924 SV% and 2.04 GAA. Although he was only a backup last season, that’s an impressive 24-game run.
Unfortunately, given the length that it typically takes goaltenders to develop, it may be too little too late for Lehti. He was eligible to be selected in the 2019 NHL Draft, and waited until the 2022-23 NCAA season to begin his collegiate career. Although he’s not considered in the same tier, Lehti is older than Jesper Wallstedt and Yaroslav Askarov, both of whom are already fully entrenched in their NHL careers.
Regardless, if he keeps producing at the same level through the end of the campaign with the University of Alaska, there will likely be a team willing to give him a chance. If he’s set on playing professionally, Lehti could immediately step into the starter’s crease for an ECHL team or serve as a backup with a lower-level AHL team.
Too little too late….hes 24! Most goalies don’t even become starters until 26-27. Some are breaking in earlier nowadays but he’s got tons of runway left. Does Tim Thomas ring any bells? Also with das Bruins.