RALEIGH – The Carolina Hurricanes have announced the team has agreed to a three-year deal with forward Jussi Jokinen worth $3 million per season.
"Jussi is a player who fit in with our team from day one," said Canes general manager Jim Rutherford in a statement.
Jokinen, 28, was fourth in scoring for the Canes last season with 52 points in 70 games. Jokinen, of Kalajoki, Finland, was third on the team in assists with 33 and second in power-play goals with eight.
Acquired by the Hurricanes from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Wade Brookbank, Josef Melichar and a fourth-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft on Feb. 7, 2009, Jokinen has scored 50 goals and added 78 assists (128 points) in 176 regular-season games with Carolina.
"I've played my best hockey in the NHL for Carolina," Jokinen said. "My wife and I love living in the area. The organization is great. The fans are great."
Comments
Love it
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 15:54 — hellfishGlad to see Jussi back ,now i hope that JR signs a C like Zenon Konopka and possibly another F like Ville Leino/T Fleishman/E Belanger/Tod White incase anybody in Charlotte need some more time in the AHL this year. I think the coaching changes will be what the team needs to get to the next level especially with Brindy to work with the young guys and Lewis with the Dmen.
Good move. $3M is about
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 15:10 — ctillGood move. $3M is about right.
Wow Hoo!
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 14:46 — Hockeydad92Like this guy and like the signing especially with the dreaded regular season shoot out but can anybody confirm that the Canes are now the NHL's official smallest team in the league?? ( and that does not translate into the fastest by the way ) Oh my the Bostons and the Phillys of the east are going to feast on these little guys. More dump and chase...
Since when is missing the
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 17:15 — Canarse<snip> Sorry...misread a comment.
That's what I have been saying too...
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 16:01 — Caniac5Many people will disagree with us but size matters when you want to move someone out of the crease or you want someone in the crease. Cole and Sutter were these guys and we don't know what they are going to do. If we bring up Boychuk, I think we will then officially be the smallest team in the NHL! (Especially if our new rookie, Murphy, makes the team!)
I guess we will be called "Staal and the seven dwarfs"
Go Canes!...
Let the losing continue!
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 14:31 — CanarseNot really anti Jokinen, even though I think $3M is too much for him, but really disappointed that we're going to see the same Hurricanes team we saw last season.
Understand
Thu, 06/30/2011 - 19:43 — sittler27Know where you are coming from. We couldn't make the playoffs with these guys last year.... so why would we this year?
I like Jussi. Versatile and offensively talented. But an avergae skater and not particularly physical. This lineup minus Cole will be even softer up front than last year. I believe that talent trumps size but you have to maintian some gritty role guys that can protect your elite players and also pressure the other team physically. We just don't have that.
But we do have is quite a few players with talent. Combine that with the kids and if they shine in preseason there is still the potential for trades. As well, lets see what JR does in the coming days.