Colorado Avalanche
UPDATE: Artturi Lehkonen cleared! On way to Calgary!
So, disrerard everything I just wrote about 15 minutes ago. Artturi Lehkonen has been CLEARED by the immigration authorities and is flying BACK to Calgary to rejoin the team, team sources say.
It’s finally over. I’ll assume, for now, that Lehkonen will play tomorrow. But, I guess we’ll wait to see on that.
UPDATE II: Avs tweeted that Lehkonen is “expected” to play tomorrow.
PREVIOUSLY…
Lehkonen-Gate took another turn today. Acquired by the Avalanche seven days ago from the Montreal Canadiens, Artturi Lehkonen was unable to go on to Calgary with the team for their game tomorrow night against the Flames. In fact, Lehkonen skated this morning at the Avs’ practice facility in Centennial.
So, no, the immigration paperwork is not done yet and Lehhkonen could miss yet another game tomorrow as this stuff gets sorted out.
I have no idea why Lehkonen couldn’t go to Canada – where he had just played for years as a member of the Habs. Perhaps Jared Bednar will shed some light on this after practice, which was slated for 2 p.m. today at the Saddledome in Calgary.
I mean, this is turning into a prolonged absence now for Lehkonen. Bednar can’t use the lines he wants, to see what Lehkonen can do for him, as this drags on. I supposed this can change at any second. Let’s hope it does. It’s believed Lehkonen is waiting on an O-1 Visa from the INS.
Until then, the wait continues….
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From what I just read this 0-1 Visa process could take anywhere between 15 days and 3 months.
I just read that “premium processing” for an O-1 visa takes 15 days. I’d wager Lehkonen won’t play until next week.
Well…never mind I guess.
Does/can he go to Calgary now that the rest of the team already left?
If he had stayed in Canada, could he have played in Calgary without the completed paperwork?
No. Because the problem was not getting into the country, but working legally. And he wanted to work for an American company and needed the O1 for that. No matter the location of the game – the place of work and pay was important.
I appreciate the good news about Lehkenon now I want some on Bo.
Hallelujah!
Schwing!
Who is inactive with Lehkonen playing?
Who is worse JT or LOC? LOC came out like a flash in the pan but the pan has gone stone cold now. And JT is slow as ice thawing in the winter time. But Michigan is playing soon and he will be distracted.
You can add NAK to that mix. JT had a great setup pass in the Minnie game. LOC has tapered off but still valuable on the PK. Helm has solidified his position with excellent physical play lately. NAK gets pushed around a lot.
JT is a flower. Dumb penalties from any non-scoring player is a detriment. And JT is the slowest player on the team for sure. He needs to be messaged time to step up though for his cap hit he is not as bad. The highly paid players need to be on time every game especially MacTurnover. MacTurnover needs to simplfy his game become a Brett Hull type sniper and forget about trying to split multiple defensemen! It rarely works and almost never results in a goal. His strength is his shot. Also MacTurnover needs to be a far better two-way… Read more »
Release the Lehkonen!
Wheels of governments grind slowly. Never mind the people.
AD – What happened to STEFAN MATTEAU? He is playing with the Eagles but would he not be a good addition to the Avs?
So, disrerard everything I just wrote about 15 minutes ago. Artturi Lehkonen has been CLEARED by the immigration authorities and is flying BACK to Calgary to rejoin the team, team sources say.