Hoping his back issues are behind him, Lehtonen looks forward to chance with Stars
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
Kari Lehtonen said Wednesday that his back is feeling fine and he is looking forward to a new opportunity with the Dallas Stars.
The 26-year-old goalie, acquired Tuesday from Atlanta for defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy and a fourth round pick, was in Dallas Wednesday for physical and a dinner meeting with GM Joe Nieuwendyk.
"It's a big opportunity for me," Lehtonen said during an afternoon conference call with local media. "I had some rough times in Atlanta and some good times. Now I can start with a clean sheet and I just have to do well and play well. That's what I believe I can give."
With Lehtonen set to come back from offseason back surgery, the Thrashers had three goalies in the mix - Lehtonen, Johan Hedberg and Ondrej Pavelec. Lehtonen said he expected someone would probably be on the move.
"I had a feeling something might happen in Atlanta. I didn't know who of the three goalies in Atlanta it might be, but when it happened yesterday it was quite a big shock," he said. "I am really happy right now and I am grateful to the Stars that they want to give me a chance."
Nieuwendyk, who was making the rounds on several radio broadcasts Wednesday, told CBC radio that the process to land Lehtonen had been going on for about a month, perhaps a little longer.
Nieuwendyk traveled to Chicago, where Lehtonen was on a conditioning assignment as he was getting to return from the back problems.
"It's no secret we were looking at other goaltenders. I really felt that Kari fits the bill for what we were looking for. He's a big goaltender and extremely quick," Nieuwendyk said during an interview with The Ticket. "I've seen this kid first hand and he can do some amazing things. He's not 100 percent yet, he hasn't played in over a year in the NHL, so we've got to get him up to speed. I think he's a goalie that can be a big player for us."
The Stars GM, who isn't that far removed from playing in the NHL, also got a chance to play against Lehtonen.
"When I played against him, he is an intimidating force in net," Nieuwendyk said on CBC radio. "There were nights when we went into Atlanta where you felt like you had to be pretty precise in order to beat the guy."
Lehtonen's been slowed by injuries in his career and Nieuwendyk said he is aware of the risk, especially with something like a back injury. But he thinks there is the possibility of big dividends.
"Eddie Belfour struggled with a bad back and surgery too. I think the upside is there," Nieuwendyk said. "The kid is just 26-years-old and he's entering the prime of his career as far as goaltenders. I think it's a good risk for us."
Lehtonen, who hasn't played in the NHL since April of last year, had two surgeries during the offseason, but he said everything appears to fine now.
"It's been good. The last few weeks have been great and I didn't have any issues when I went on my conditioning stint in the minors," said Lehtonen, who was 1-1-2 in four AHL games with a 2.87 goals against average. "I had no issues with my back, so that made me very happy. It's a relief that it finally feels good."
As for his history of injuries, Lehtonen said he's looking forward and not back.
"The last two years I've battling with this back issue and hopefully now it's behind me," he said. "It's something that I can't worry too much, because if I start thinking about if something is going to happen, I'm not focusing on the right things like stopping the puck."
And when it comes to stopping the puck, the 6-4, 215 pound Lehtonen compared his style to that of Carolina's Cam Ward and Montreal's Carey Price.
"I play a butterfly style," he said. "I go down a lot and try to be in the right place at the right time and use my frame to block the shots."
Lehtonen could join the team Friday in Phoenix, but he's not expected to play. Nieuwendyk said Lehtonen will use the break, including a mini-training camp with the team, to get ready for when play resumes after the Olympics.
