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Justin Barron to Philadelphia? Relevant information from Elliotte Friedman

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David St-Jean
February 12, 2024 (3:17 PM)

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Two years ago, Kent Hughes traded Artturi Lehkonen to the Colorado Avalanche for Justin Barron and a second-round pick. This transaction almost didn't happen.

"In 2022, it's not just Kent Hughes who was offered Justin Barron in a deal. The Flyers were as well. The Flyers, according to what Elliotte Friedman reports (in his 32 Thoughts podcast), would have acquired the defenseman if Claude Giroux had headed to Denver in 2022." - Charles-Alexis Brisebois

This means that Joe Sakic, who was the general manager at the time, was not targeting Lehkonen but rather Claude Giroux. It was because Giroux was traded to the Panthers that the deal with the Canadiens was then completed.

Would Lehkonen still have been traded to the Avalanche or another team? Probably. The Finnish player was not playing in the top 6 in Montreal, and he brought back a first-round pick (Justin Barron) and a second-round pick in 2024.

So, it can be assumed that another similar offer would likely have emerged. Nevertheless, Lehkonen proved to be an excellent acquisition for Colorado, which went on to win the Stanley Cup a few months later and offered him a multi-season contract.

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12 FEVRIER \| 558 ANSWERS Justin Barron to Philadelphia? Relevant information from Elliotte Friedman Do you think Justin Barron is still part of the Canadiens' plans?
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