43 Mikko Lehtonen D

Lehtonen was recalled from AHL Cleveland to the taxi squad Sunday, Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda reports.

Lehtonen is available to make his Blue Jackets debut in Sunday's game against the Red Wings. The 27-year-old blueliner played nine games for the Maple Leafs this season before being traded to Columbus. In that stretch, he posted three assists while averaging 11:52 of ice time.

Toronto traded Lehtonen to the Blue Jackets in exchange for goaltender Veini Vehvilainen on Friday.

Lehtonen has been used sparingly by the Maple Leafs this season, picking up three helpers while averaging 11:52 of ice time in nine appearances with the big club. The 27-year-old blueliner will join Columbus' taxi squad once he completes his mandatory quarantine.

Lehtonen was reassigned to AHL Toronto on Thursday, per CBS Sports.

Lehtonen swapped places with Martin Marincin on Thursday. If Lehtonen stays in the minors, he should get more playing time than he's seen at the NHL level.

Lehtonen was demoted to the taxi squad Tuesday, per CapFriendly.

Lehtonen continues to occasionally shuffle between the taxi squad and the active roster. He has three assists in nine appearances this year.

Lehtonen was promoted from the taxi squad Sunday, CapFriendly reports.

Lehtonen has been on the taxi squad for Toronto's last five games and hasn't suited up for an NHL contest since Feb. 24. The 27-year-old is in his first NHL season after coming over from the KHL. He'll likely only slot into the lineup as an injury replacement.

Lehtonen was demoted to the taxi squad Saturday, per CapFriendly.

Lehtonen played in three of the last four games for the Maple Leafs prior to sitting out Saturday's game versus the Oilers. The Finn should continue to challenge for a third-pairing job.

Lehtonen had two assists and was plus-3 in a 5-1 win over Vancouver on Saturday.

Lehtonen drew into the lineup for just the fifth time this year and responded with his first multi-point game of the season despite playing just over 14 minutes, fewest among Toronto defensemen. The 27-year-old likely earned himself another spot in the lineup for Monday's rematch against the Canucks.

Lehtonen will be promoted to the active roster for Saturday's matchup with Vancouver, Joshua Kloke of The Athletic reports.

Lehtonen has been in and out of the lineup this season, as he's played in four of the team's previous eight contests. The defender should stay in as long as Travis Dermott (leg) is sidelined, but he'll likely remain on the fringes of the lineup the rest of the season and could face challenges from Rasmus Sandin for minutes.

Lehtonen was assigned to the taxi squad Thursday, per CBS Sports.

Lehtonen has an assist and a minus-1 rating in four games in his first NHL season. He'll likely continue to shift between the active roster and the taxi squad.

Lehtonen skated on the fourth pairing Tuesday at practice, reports the Toronto Sun.

Last year's top defenseman in the KHL has struggled to find his footing on North American ice. The short season makes it challenging for coach Sheldon Keefe to give the 27-year-old time to adjust to his role. "We think a lot of the things that happen on our half of the ice with Mikko need to get better both with and without the puck," said Keefe. The coach reinforced that he can't just let Lehtonen "figure it out" during games, so expect the defender to be on the practice squad for the next little while. Don't give up on him yet, but there needs to be some significant growth to hold on to him in single-year leagues.

Lehtonen was activated from the taxi squad and will play in Tuesday's game versus the Flames, Mark Masters of TSN.ca reports.

Travis Dermott won't play Tuesday, opening a spot in the lineup for Lehtonen to dress for the third time this year. Lehtonen averaged just 7:37 of ice time between the two games he played, posting no points and a hit.

The Maple Leafs reassigned Lehtonen to their taxi squad Thursday, CapFriendly reports.

The Leafs are dealing with several injuries up front, so they needed to send Lehtonen to their taxi squad in order to make room for forwards Adam Brooks and Joey Anderson on their active roster. Lehtonen has gone scoreless while averaging just 7:38 of ice time in two appearances with Toronto this season.