Is a late-blooming goalie about to make his NHL dreams a reality? Lassi Lehti, the netminder for the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, is reportedly catching the eye of some NHL teams, according to Mark Divver of the New England Hockey Journal. The Boston Bruins are among the teams currently scouting the 24-year-old goaltender. This is interesting because, unlike many college players, Lehti might not have to wait until the end of the season to sign a professional contract.
The Finnish native is putting up solid numbers, but his team, the Nanooks, is struggling this season and isn't expected to make the National tournament unless they pull off a major upset.
Despite the Nanooks' tough 4-10-1 record, Lehti is holding his own. He's played in 11 games, boasting a .921 save percentage and a 2.59 goals-against average. Last season, as the team's backup, he had an impressive .924 save percentage and a 2.04 goals-against average in 24 games. That's some serious consistency!
But here's where it gets controversial... Given how long it typically takes goalies to develop, is it too late for Lehti to make a significant impact? He was eligible for the 2019 NHL Draft but didn't start his college career until the 2022-23 NCAA season. He's older than Jesper Wallstedt and Yaroslav Askarov, who are already established in the NHL.
And this is the part most people miss... If Lehti keeps up his strong performance, a team will likely give him a shot. He could potentially jump straight into a starting role with an ECHL team or serve as a backup in the AHL.
What do you think? Can Lehti defy the odds and make it to the NHL, or is his window of opportunity closing? Share your thoughts in the comments!
