A masterclass in versatility and confidence

MONTREAL -- There's a certain level of quiet confidence emanating from Artturi Lehkonen.

And it's not just because he's among the most efficient players on the team, though it's difficult to ignore his statistical impact whenever he takes to the ice.
It's well-known Lehkonen is the epitome of a stalwart defensive player, and a quick glance at his underlying numbers only furthers the case.
No other Canadiens player with over 100 minutes of 5v5 ice time has done a better job mitigating shots against than Lehkonen.
If we want to get a little fancier, we can take a look at his expected goals against (xGA), which again leads the team and connotes Lehkonen's excellent defensive abilities.
If we really want to put a fine point on the issue, we can evaluate the rate at which the Canadiens allow high-danger scoring chances whenever Lehkonen is on the ice.
Yup, you guessed it, he leads the team in that regard, completing the defensive hat-trick that places him among the best defensive forwards in the league.
But what if I told you there's a lot more to Lehkonen's game than just being able to frustrate the opposing team's best players and score goals that send his team to the Stanley Cup Final.
Lehkonen won't break any offensive records, his defensive usage simply isn't conducive to focusing on the offensive elements of the game, but statistically speaking, his offensive contributions tend to be underrated.

It's no secret the Canadiens have struggled to score this season, but if we filter the league-wide results to 5v5 play, Lehkonen's offensive impact becomes a little clearer.
Lehkonen's 2.14 points per 60 minutes of ice time rank 31st among all left-wingers, tied with fellow Finn Patrick Laine and ahead of several players who are judged as excellent offensive contributors, like Zach Hyman, Nick Ehlers, and Ondrej Palat.
His secret? It's not goal-scoring, though Lehkonen does rank 69th at his position in terms of goals per 60 minutes of ice time. Rather, it's his ability to generate high-danger scoring chances through his excellent playmaking.
Lehkonen ranks 19th among all left-wingers this season in terms of assists per 60 minutes of ice time (1.51). What's more, his assists have primarily come in the form of….well, primary assists, indicating his crucial role in most scoring plays. Lehkonen currently sits 10th among left-wingers in terms of primary assists per 60 minutes of ice time.
But enough about the statistics.
There's something else in Lehkonen's game that has caught the eye of most sharp-minded hockey analysts, his ability to make the right decision in most situations.
His decision-making, along with his versatility, are the reasons why he's quickly earned the trust of all his coaches.
Coaching in the NHL is like putting a puzzle together.
Lehkonen represents a border piece. He adds structure and predictability; an NHL coach's dream.

Simply put, in a world of variables, Lehkonen is a constant.
Regardless of the situation, he can be counted upon to make the right decision at crucial times, and he'll do so with the type of effort and work ethic that exemplifies leadership.
There are few, if any, players that expend more energy than Lehkonen during a game, and he does so in an intelligent manner, often anticipating the play rather than chasing after players who have already gotten rid of the puck.
By now, some of you may be thinking, "I already know all of this. I've been a card-carrying member of the Lehkonen fan club since his Frölunda days," and to you, I say, "Congratulations, you have passed the Lehkonen litmus test with flying colors!"
For those that haven't quite seen the light, there'll be plenty of opportunities to study and take the test at a later time, perhaps the next time Lehkonen stops a high-danger scoring chance or the next scoring play in which he outworks his opponents and feeds his linemate a perfect pass.
In the meantime, in a season fraught with extensive injuries and mercurial scheduling, Lehkonen's consistency, work ethic, and demeanor should be considered a template for every player and prospect in the organization.
In good times or bad, there's one thing you can count on, Lehkonen will do everything necessary to ensure his team has a greater chance of winning.
The proof is in the numbers and Lehkonen's confidence - the same confidence coaches show every time they tap his shoulder on the bench.
(All statistics are 5v5 unless otherwise specified, via NaturalStatTrick.com)