Colorado Avalanche 2025-26 Player Grades: Artturi Lehkonen

This past season was a fantastic one for the Colorado Avalanche, even if it did end in disappointment. The Avalanche will be undergoing some changes, but will have much of the core of this Presidents Trophy-winning team back to contend again in 2026-27.

As we look ahead to next season, it also helps to look back to this past season. In this series, we will hand out player grades for the 2025-26 season. Today’s subject is one of the more underrated two-way wingers in the league, someone who continues to fly under the radar despite consistent production and a big role on one of the NHL’s best teams: Artturi Lehkonen.

Production

Perhaps the best aspect of Lehkonen’s game is you know what you are getting in every sense. Lehkonen has been as consistent as can be, hovering in the 45-50-point range when he plays 65 games or more. He did exactly that this season, scoring 21 goals and 48 points across 70 games.

Those numbers don’t jump off the page, especially given the fact that he plays 18:29 per night and has Nathan MacKinnon as his center. He’s dangerous when MacKinnon finds him but works to create space for his linemates in a way that only the best two-way wingers can. On perhaps any other team, his numbers would likely be much lower but the fact that he has been a 30-goal threat before shows how much of a chameleon he can be.

Intangibles

Though MacKinnon is responsible defensively, Lehkonen is the defensive conscious of the top line. He goes into the dirty areas, creates space, and helps to open up lanes for MacKinnon and Martin Necas. They get all the glory but it is clear that Lehkonen’s presence on the top line has benefitted his linemates exponentially.

Even more valuable is his ability to play in all situations. He is a net-front presence on the power play, kills penalties, and will be on the ice in the waning seconds of a tight game. His value to the Avalanche can’t be quantified by simple stats, and he is the kind of 200-foot player that every team would love to have in their top six.

Overall Grade: B+

Lehkonen feels like he’s kind of plateaued but that’s not necessarily the worst thing. The 31-year-old winger his consistently a 20-goal guy and will max out at about 50 points in a good season. He’s also going to miss some times, though his 70 appearances are the most for him since 2021-22.

You would hope Lehkonen could take advantage of playing with two elite offensive players to his own personal benefit, but it isn’t the kind of player he is. Don’t be surprised if he has a breakout offensive season simply because of the chemistry he displays with MacKinnon and Necas, two elite drivers who elevate their linemates.

An Underrated Key Player

Lehkonen isn’t going to make any “greatest lines” list, but the role he plays for the Avalanche’s top line is critical. As the Avalanche attempt to figure out what went wrong in the Western Conference Final, Lehkonen will give them the same sense of reliability that he has delivered since arriving in Denver.

Lehkonen should continue to ride shotgun on an elite line for the foreseeable future. While his teammates garner the headlines, Lehkonen will continue to go into the dirty areas and win battles so that others can rack up elite numbers. That kind of contribution is difficult to truly quantify and is the heart of any championship club.