Canes sign Jokinen to 2-year deal
The Hurricanes have signed forward Jussi Jokinen to a two-year contract.
Jokinen, a restricted free agent, will receive $1.5 million next season and $1.9 million in the 2010-11 season.
"Jussi was a good addition to our team last season, and he really stepped into his role in the playoffs," general manager Jim Rutherford said. “His ability to contribute on the power play and penalty kill, and his versatility at different forward positions makes him a valuable player.”
Jokinen came to the Canes from the Tampa Bay Lightning in an early February deal. He was one of Carolina's biggest stars of the postseason with seven goals and four assists, scoring three game-winners.
Jokinen scored one of the most memorable playoff goals in franchise and NHL history — the game-winner against the New Jersey Devils with two-tenths of a seconds remaining.
About the blogger
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is in his second season as the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at chip.alexander@newsobserver.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @ice_chip.
Comments
Good News
Tue, 06/30/2009 - 10:45 — HockeydogThis is good news. Ruutu should be next.
As far as Cole and LaRose, I hope Rosey stays if JR can only get one done. Before the draft the Canes signed a big young player to an entry level contract that I think has some potential by the name of Matthew Pistilli.
Thanks
Tue, 06/30/2009 - 07:48 — rocheccwFor the RFA clarification. I knew the deadline was sometime before July 1st. I just didn't know the exact day & time.
I'm sure JR qualified Rutuu & Babchuck by the deadline.
No prob!
Tue, 06/30/2009 - 10:03 — SunStill no official list of who was qualified...I don't expect any surprises either but would still be nice to have that info...
redblack -RFA contract clarification
Tue, 06/30/2009 - 02:12 — SunIf a team doesn't qualify an RFA they're still allowed to negotiate a new contract with the player once he becomes a UFA. Example: Babchuk not given a QO (not really, hypothetically). So Babs now becomes UFA. Canes are now allowed to negotiate new contract w/out automatic RFA raise requirements; meaning these contracts too can be for less $$$. Believe this is why ATL did not qualify Thorburn; pretty sure they will still re-sign him, just not at the amount RFA raise would've required.
However I agree w/ u - Jokinen deal a very good one! Just wanted to clarify :-)
RE: Qualifying offers
Tue, 06/30/2009 - 01:42 — SunAll q.o.'s had to be made by 5 pm Mon. Would like to know who was/wasn't qualified.
Excellent !
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 20:44 — LainiencSo glad to hear Jussi Jokinen is signed and looking forward to hearing Ruutu is signed too !
Good news ???
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 20:06 — esteban1949naw...that's wonderful news, great,fantastic news !!! The Juice is BACK !! Yippee ! i be so happy...this news which was posted on Fox sports.com @7:14est. made my very sore tummy feel 100% better. !! And now i feel like "dancing in the street" ...sIgh...but i forgot...can't do that...yet !!
Go Canes !!
Actually, this is pretty
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 18:00 — redblackhockeyActually, this is pretty smart to sign him before he became a RFA. He'll be paid less next season than he was this season. If he had actually become a RFA, the Canes would have had to offer him a qualifying sheet equal to 100% of this year's salary ($1.875M), and then might have had to enter a bidding war.
This is a savings of at least $175k, so this is a job well done.
Already on the RFA's?
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 16:28 — C_LeaguerIf JR is already negotiating and signing RFA's then he's done with the UFAs. Chad and Cole are heading out on to the open market.
Not True!
Tue, 06/30/2009 - 07:49 — rocheccwThe last couple of days before July 1st is typically when teams make qualifying offers to RFA. Jussi & JR came to a two year deal instead of just a qualifying offer.
JR will qualify Rutuu & Babchuck. More than likely he is still in negations with Cole & Rosey. Both will probably test the market, but that does not mean that they are gone.
Last year as a Pens fan all I heard was how Orpik was gone. This year it is Scuderi. Orpik tested the market, but then re-signed with the Pens.
Cole and Rosie
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 17:37 — ammy144You may be right but it's not over "til the fat lady sings". I truly hope we will still have them but if we don't, I wish them well.
The Juice
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 16:07 — ammy144Nice work JR. I really like the Juice and look forward to watching him next season.
Good start
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 16:01 — SWFAN24Nice to see some off-season news coming in. Nice start and hopefully we can get a more players signed in the next couple days. Good Luck to JR
Jokinen and the Retuning for 2009-2010
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 19:19 — abramsdougI agree this is excellent news. I believe Jim Rutherford is moving forward with the efforts at re-signing the RFAs. I also think he has a clear idea of the fine tuning that the Hurricanes will need for 2009-2010. Jokinen is a key player due to his versatility and his hockey intelligence. I hope Ruutu will be re-signed soon as well.
agreed!
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 17:23 — SunNice to have some good news :-)