Breaking: NHL forward charged in major drug bust, prosecutor seeking jail time.

There is a very interesting development going on over sees and you have to wonder if it may not drastically impact the future of one player in the National Hockey League.

According to a breaking news report from Philadelphia Flyers insider Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer, veteran forward Jori Lehtera has officially charged by Finnish authorities in connection with a major drug bust in that country. Lehtera stands accused of purchasing drugs from a large distribution ring in Finland, a distribution ring that was the target of a sting by Finnish authorities and one that Lehtera was caught up in at the time. 

This was no minor purchase of drugs either according to Carchidu's report, Lehtera reportedly purchased a whopping 8 grams cocaine during the months of June and July while in nightclubs in the Finnish town of Tampere. This not only speaks to the obvious criminal behavior on the part of Lehtera but would also appear to suggest that he may have a considerable drug habit that he is dealing with, assuming of course that these charges will hold up in court and will result in a conviction of Lehtera. 

For what it's worth Lehtera has denied ever buying drugs from any of the 21 other people charged in this case but he has however admitted to knowing at least 2 of them. His excuse for giving them large sums of money would appear to stretch the limits of credulity but it's important to remember that he is innocent until proven guilty.

From Carchidi:

Lehtera, one of 22 defendants in the case, told police that he knows two of the other men charged but denied buying drugs from them. He said he once paid 6,000 Euros for one of the men to attend drug rehab.

“I paid for his detoxing treatment," Lehtera told the police, according to Finland’s Urheilu television station. "For my part, it was charity. I felt I did the right thing.”

Lehtera had better be telling the truth because it looks like the Finnish authorities are seeking a rather harsh sentence against the veteran NHL forward. According to Carchidi the prosecution in this case is seeking 5 months of jail time for Lehtera, something that would obviously have a massive impact on his NHL career, if it hasn't had one already.

What is surprising is that neither the National Hockey League nor the Philadelphia Flyers have stepped in and suspended Lehtera as a result of this announcement, this in spite of the fact that he is largely a role player at this stage of his career. Through the 2018 - 2019 regular season Lehtera has appeared in 22 games for the Flyers and has recorded 1 goal and 2 assists for 3 total points, 16 penalty minutes, and boasts a plus minus rating of -5 on the season.

A Flyers' spokesperson was reached by Carchidi this morning but refused to comment on the story and when attempting to contact Lehtera's attorney, Ari Nieminen, Carchidi was unable to to reach him. The trial is expected to last less than a week so we will know Lehtera's fate in short order.