Shell
05-13-2003, 11:45 PM
Thrashers reach deal with goalie Lehtonen
By GUY CURTRIGHT
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer
Kari Lehtonen didn't get to play in the World Hockey Championships. But the 19-year-old Finnish goalie already had impressed the Thrashers enough to warrant his first NHL contract.
The Thrashers and Lehtonen have agreed to terms, although the three-year deal still must be finalized.
As the second overall pick in the 2002 draft, Lehtonen will receive a yearly salary of $1,185,000 for three seasons. But the deal also will carry incentive bonuses that could add about $7.5 million over the three years if all incentives are met.
Winger Rick Nash, drafted No. 1 overall by Columbus, signed a deal with a record bonus cap of $8.6 million. Defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, taken with the third pick by Florida, received bonuses clauses worth a potential $7.1 million.
But Nash and Bouwmeester became regulars immediately in the NHL. Although Lehtonen will come to training camp in September with a chance to make the team, he is expected to start the season in the minors with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.
Lehtonen, considered the best goalie prospect outside the NHL, was named to host Finland's team for the World Championships. But he never got into a game as the Thrashers' Pasi Nurminen and Florida's Jani Hurme split the goaltending.
Both were victimized as Sweden rallied from a 5-1 deficit to beat Finland 6-5 in the quarterfinals. Nurminen, who had a 2.33 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage, allowed the tying and winning goals in the third period.
Lehtonen, who was a standout in the World Junior Championships, played for Jokerit of the Finish Elite League last season and was 23-14-6 with a 1.98 goals against average.
By GUY CURTRIGHT
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer
Kari Lehtonen didn't get to play in the World Hockey Championships. But the 19-year-old Finnish goalie already had impressed the Thrashers enough to warrant his first NHL contract.
The Thrashers and Lehtonen have agreed to terms, although the three-year deal still must be finalized.
As the second overall pick in the 2002 draft, Lehtonen will receive a yearly salary of $1,185,000 for three seasons. But the deal also will carry incentive bonuses that could add about $7.5 million over the three years if all incentives are met.
Winger Rick Nash, drafted No. 1 overall by Columbus, signed a deal with a record bonus cap of $8.6 million. Defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, taken with the third pick by Florida, received bonuses clauses worth a potential $7.1 million.
But Nash and Bouwmeester became regulars immediately in the NHL. Although Lehtonen will come to training camp in September with a chance to make the team, he is expected to start the season in the minors with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.
Lehtonen, considered the best goalie prospect outside the NHL, was named to host Finland's team for the World Championships. But he never got into a game as the Thrashers' Pasi Nurminen and Florida's Jani Hurme split the goaltending.
Both were victimized as Sweden rallied from a 5-1 deficit to beat Finland 6-5 in the quarterfinals. Nurminen, who had a 2.33 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage, allowed the tying and winning goals in the third period.
Lehtonen, who was a standout in the World Junior Championships, played for Jokerit of the Finish Elite League last season and was 23-14-6 with a 1.98 goals against average.