Jokinen: 'I want to come back'
Jussi Jokinen will be a restricted free agent, but the forward made it clear today where he hopes to be next season — back with the Hurricanes.
"It's a good fit here," he said today. "I feel a lot of players come here and find their games again. It's a great organization.
"Obviously, I really liked the time I was here. I hope I will be back and I want to come back. This is a first-class organization and I feel we can go all the way. ... We have all the pieces here to go all the way."
Jokinen found his game again after being traded to the Canes from Tampa Bay in early February. He became a versatile forward, helping the Canes reach the playoffs and scoring some of the biggest postseason goals in franchise history.
Jokinen had the goal with two-tenths of a second left that beat New Jersey in Game 4 of the first-round series. His goal with 1:20 left in Game 7 against the Devils tied the score. His overtime goal against Boston won Game 3 of the conference semifinals at the RBC Center.
"I got a new start in my career," he said. "It gave me the chance to be the hockey player I can be.
"When the season was over, I felt more and more comfortable with the team. ... I still feel I have another level and I will work hard during the summer."
Jokinen had seven goals and four assists in 18 playoff games. In 71 regular-season games, he had seven goals and 20 assists.
"As a hockey player, confidence is such a big thing," he said. "With more ice time, I got my confidence back. In the playoffs ... obviously my confidence jumper higher."
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
A possible new slogan IF
Sun, 06/14/2009 - 05:26 — esteban1949The flying Finnes & players like LaRose aren't resigned...Our Team Our Trepidation !...as i feel, and i am looking at this from a $ & cents aspect here, that the Canes will need players like the Juice and LaRose asxpart of a foundational work ethic, that money can never buy...but ...sigh...I'm a fan...counting down the days until...They drop the puck for the first face off of the 2009-2010 season Go Canes !!
A Final Thought
Sat, 05/30/2009 - 17:14 — esteban1949On this topic: I like others want to see the Canes re-sign the " Flying Finns". but I'd also would like to include Chad LaRose in with them. Now on one hand i would love to see The Canes wave some big bucks at all 3 of them. Lord knows they worked,played hard, and did things only a computer animation could ever dream of or up on the ice this last half of the season. But all that said, I as a fan, would hope that if any of all of them have agents, that those agents don't try and get greedy for the sake of greed. As I would like to believe that Jokinen,Ruutu & LaRose would love to stay and play out their careers here even if they didn't get a multi-year mega-buck deals. Because they knew deep down in their hearts, that Mr.K,JR & the rest of the Canes Management & Staff respected and appreciated their efforts. As a blue collar guy, who worked at times for nothing compared to what others made, I was happy to get just a 2 dollar a year raise, because of the people whom i worked with and around. Now some who will read this will think i lost a few more marbles ( funny I thought i lost all of them already) as in today's business end of professional sports there is always someone out there to take your place for a extra buck or three...but to have players who make or desire to make a commitment to a team, to a community, to a region, especially like the triangle...Money can never buy that kind of dedication,loyalty and heart...and if you don't believe me...go ask the likes of the Great One,Bobby Orr,The Esposito Brothers, or even Mo when they tell you or share what it was like, how special it was even in the juniors.No kind of money or riches can ever buy a real humble heart & soul player who knows God put him/ her ( as girls do play too ya know) there for one thing...to play and be part of something they were born to do....In closing...Speaking of God...only he and JR knows for sure who if at all, the Canes will go after aggressively to resign them. So all we the fans can do is Hope, Pray...that those players we've come to love,respect and cheer for will be back to battle on for another attempt to run for the cup !! And that dear fans...is how I see it ...
but i'm just a fan...what would I know ??
Go Canes !!
it is sad...
Thu, 05/28/2009 - 16:55 — esteban1949That at times we fans really don't have a real voice in say who goes and who stays. But after all this is a business. And we all know that business doesn't always deliver what we the fans want or desire. But i feel it would be in the Canes best interest to re-sign and keep The Juice and Ruutu. it is times like this i did wish i had a couple of billion laying around as I'd gladly give players like the Juice & Ruutu a much need vote of confidence. Gee i wonder If i could apply for a "bail Out" from Congress ? heck they bailed everybody and my dead grandma out...why not me ?? But seriously, Jussie has found a good place here. But again only time and Training/Summer camp will tell.
Go Canes !!
Money
Thu, 05/28/2009 - 11:43 — xpukguyWhile it would be great to bring the Finnish Flashes back, there is this little matter called money. Where will it come from? There is not this bottomless pot that Pete and JR can dig into. In order to keep people, you have to get rid of people and that's the bottom line in pro sports. There are some bloated contracts that will count against the Salary Cap (Brindy, Kaberle) that are going to hurt us in trying to resign these guys or bring in new guys. How much will Erik Cole demand? Chad LaRose? Fan favorites can not play a part in JR's decision. It comes down to can they put the puck in the net and play solid two-way hockey if they are forwards, and can they batter opposing forwards in they are defensemen.
We need to change our team, our tradition.
Change our tradition?
Sat, 06/13/2009 - 09:54 — hockeyhickYou mean change the tradition of 2 trips to the finals, a cup win and a trip to the EC Finals in the last 7 years ALL while operating in a fiscally sound manner-not contributing to the bloated salaries in the league, AND building a solid fanbase in a nontraditional hockey market with a dedication and commitment to the community? Change that tradition? Yeah, makes sense to me...
And make drastic changes to our team, the team that redefined "hustle" and came out from oblivion to make a great run in the playoffs only to lose to the eventual champions? Yeah, let's blow this team up and start the rebuilding...
Let's not have "fan favorite" as part of the evaluation? Again, yeah, we wouldn't want to sell tickets would we.
Get a clue Pukey...
Can you please come up with a new catch phrase?
If not the Finnish Flashes, then who?
Thu, 05/28/2009 - 22:22 — uneksijaFan favorites aside, The bottom line is that if both Jokinen and Ruutu aren't signed, someone else will have to be paid to take their spots in the lineup, and quite frankly for the money they are likely to command, both will bring their money's worth to the team IMO. I think the Pittsburgh series helped prove how the team suffers without Ruutu's strength in the lineup. Jussi's shootout prowess should be good for a point or two over the course of the season, and both are solid, versatile, easily-coachable, well-liked, defensively-responsible forwards that can fit into a variety of roles which is quite frankly critical for a team that can't spend to the cap. What more are you asking for that these two don't deliver in their roles and for the money?
One must invest money to make money
Thu, 05/28/2009 - 12:50 — LainiencXpukguy,
It is understood that there are monetary restrictions but "JR" and Mr. Karmanos are savvy businessmen that can align the cost/benefits of who is the best asset, what it costs to keep them, and what return the team will see from ticket sales, playoff runs and merchandising. I beg to differ with you, that fan favorites are part of the equation in that they generate sales. I'm not knowledgeable on pro sports contracts, but perhaps existing contracts can be re-negotiated based on players' roles. Maybe it behooves the organization to exceed its self-imposed cap if that investment results in profit from ticket sales and increased revenue sharing. To your point, if agents/players become too demanding, that likely jeapardizes contract negotiations with this organization, particularly in this economy bearing in mind the 'ice your price' STH for 2-3 years. Guess we'll just have to stay tuned.
Dear Mr. Rutherford
Thu, 05/28/2009 - 11:05 — LainiencI'm respectfully asking you to please renew the contracts of Jussi Jokinen and his landsman Tuomo Ruutu. As you're well aware, they're a great fit on the team, are very versatile players and clearly have been quick to become fan favorites. It's time to capitalize on the gems you added to the team. Thank you.
Ruutu & Jokinen
Thu, 05/28/2009 - 17:46 — capannolaI agree. Plus, I think they're crazy if they let LaRose get away.... Nobody gives more effort & hustle.
AGREED; JOKINEN AND RUUTU ARE TOP PRIORITIES
Thu, 05/28/2009 - 12:12 — abramsdougAgreed. It is really essential that Jokinen and Ruutu be re-signed. They are a critical part of the Hurricanes team.
What Lainienc said
Thu, 05/28/2009 - 11:10 — uneksijatimes two.
Definitely
Thu, 05/28/2009 - 10:19 — raleighcanesfanI think we ALL want him to come back. Make it work, JR.
Juice
Thu, 05/28/2009 - 10:03 — ammy144DEFINATELY bring the Juice back!!!!!!! I am just one fan, but I think I speak for many others in saying that we want the Juice back next year. He nearly gave me a heart attack with some of his goals! He seems to be a good fit with the team and I love to watch him play. He adds too much to this team to let him get away.