Jussi Jokinen Olympic Snub: Mind Boggling
by Bob Wage on Dec 30, 2009 11:12 AM EST
59 comments
Congratulations goes to Tuomo Ruutu and Joni Pitkanen for being selected to represent their country in the 2010 Winter Olympics. This morning's announcement to include them on Team Finland was both well deserved and expected.
But what happened to Jussi Jokinen? You know "The Juice", the guy who has the best shootout record in the entire NHL? The player who currently leads the Hurricanes in goals as well as game winning goals? The versatile forward who many here have been calling "Mr. Clutch" since his standout performance in last year's playoffs?
It is extremely short-sighted, if not down right stupid to leave him off a squad that includes players like Niko Kapanen, Ville Peltonen, and Jarkko Immonen, players who can not even make an NHL roster right now.
Even with all due respect to Tuomo's older brother Jarkko Ruutu, one has to scratch their head after comparing stats at the overlooking of Jokinen. Perhaps the braintrust behind Team Finland is not looking at "what have you done for me lately"? Maybe they are looking at lifetime stats. Let's compare:
| NHL Lifetime Stats: | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Points | |
| Played | per | |||||
| Game | ||||||
| Jussi Jokinen | 344 | 65 | 132 | 197 | 0.57 | |
| Jarkko Ruutu | 536 | 50 | 67 | 117 | 0.22 | |
| Jarkko Immonen | 20 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 0.40 | |
| Ville Peltonen | 382 | 52 | 96 | 148 | 0.39 | |
| Niko Kapanen | 397 | 36 | 90 | 126 | 0.32 | |
So far this year in the KHL, Immonen has 8 goals and 27 points in 38 games played, Kapanen has 10 goals and 20 points also in 38 games, and Peltonen has 3 goals and 16 points in 34 games.
Jokinen has 11 goals and 25 points in 38 games.
One has to wonder what Team Finland coach Jukka Jalonen is thinking? Apparently, scoring is not a concern for him.
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23
you forgot the goalies
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
in hockey lingo, goalies aren’t skaters.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 31, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
Hilarious Photo
I feel really bad for Jussi. The numbers simply don’t make any sense.
Kind of wish JR had taken a closer look at this photo this summer. Could have been a very different year.
Those Bruin’s names jump off the screen in hindsight don’t they? Nice catch.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 30, 2009 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
yep, it looks like Chara was trying to push Ward out of the way..:-) Not to mention Mr. Yelle
GM of CanesCountry.com
But Ruutu held him back. The beginning of Hakkaa Paalle!
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 30, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
NHL.com story mentions Jussi as top of the list as missing Finnish NHL’ers.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
Puck Daddy is similarly confused.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
I guess it’s almost time to he who’s “snubbed” for Team Canada
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
Speaking of which, this link says it’s broadcasting the announcement of those of us without the NHL Network.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
The headline says it all: mind boggling! One of the best (if not the best) shootout guy in the NHL, one of the most clutch players, and very hard working. Normally that would get you onto an olympic roster,so I cannot understand how he got passed over. Guy is a talent, and I cannot imagine how he feels to here his own country’s team dissed him.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
Very, very true. Players like Jokinen who know how to win games and are at their best during money time (when the game is on the line) are rare diamonds in sports. I want Jokinen, Ruutu, and Pitkanen on any team I am building. Additionally, Jokinen and Pitkanen have been playing hockey together since they were teenagers. They have their own well-rehearsed plays. In the Olympics where there is such a shortened schedule, that factor alone would make me want that duo on my team. Inexplicable.
Team Canada
Brodeur-no brainer
Fleury
Luongo
no surprises there
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
Team Canada D
Dan Boyle
Drew Doughty
Duncan Keith
Scott Neidermeyer “C”
Chris Pronger “A”
Brent Seabrook
Shea Weber
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
Shea Weber over Phanuef or Green? Dan Boyle over Green? No offense to Shea Weber, he is a top notch D-man, Boyle too. Just a bit surprising.
Also, if Yzerman wanted experience against top players how does he go with Doughty. Again, a great player, but zero playoff games played. 0, not to mention the -17 last year. I’m not saying he’s not great. He is, but this seems early for him in his career to be on Team Canada. I guess Yzerman was unimpressed with the down years for Phanuef and Green.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
Boyle’s far, far more responsible on defense than Green.
That 17-year-old Hokie sitting in the rafters in Greensboro didn't see any of this coming.
A couple of things about the comparisons
1) Do the do shoot outs in the Olympics? I didn’t think they did, but I’m not sure of the format of the tournament this year. I know it’s being played on NHL ice sheets, not Olympic size, to keep costs down for Vancouver.
2) Is the KHL a two assist league, or a single assist league like many other Euro leagues? I thought they only gave one assist per goal, but honestly do not know for sure one way or the other.
Even with that, I think it’s silly Jussi got left off, I’m not in anyway disagreeing with that assessment. It’s particularly baffling taking euro players over NHL players this year because of the use of the NHL size sheet and not the Olympic size sheet. Has Jussi ever passed up the opportunity to play for Finland or not been able to play? Also, with Jarkko and Tuomo Ruutu are the Fins hoping to play a more bruising style of play as opposed to a finesse style?
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
Really? Is that new this time or has that been the case in previous tournaments? And, if shootouts are part of the tournament there is definitely no reason to leave Jussi off the roster.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
I don’t know about history, my memory isn’t what it used to be. But after checking the rules, they will also go to a shootout in the Bronze medal game after a 10 minute OT.
Very stupid move by Team Finland. Could very well cost the team a medal.
If a playoff game, a Qualification Playoff Game, a Quarter Final game, a Semi-Final game or a Bronze Medal game is tied at the end of regulation time, then a ten-minute overtime period shall be played immediately following the completion of an intermission of three minutes. The teams will defend the same goals as in the third period. The game will end when the ten minutes has expired or when a goal is scored; the scoring team will be declared the winner. If no goal is scored in the overtime period then the Game Winning Shots Procedure will apply
http://www.iihf.com/channels10/olympics-2010/home/men/format.html.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Again, paging Jarkko Ruutu. Please report to the Team Finland courtesy lounge. Clean up required, bring a crowbar.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 30, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
Team Canada Forwards
Patrice Bergeron
Sidney Crosby “A”
Ryan Getzlaf
Danny Heatley
Jerome Iginla “A”
Patrick Marleau
Brendan Morrow
Rick Nash
Corey Perry
Mike Richards
Eric Staal WOOOOOO!!!!
Joe Thornton
Jonathan Toews
"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason
Obviously Yzer thinks the forwards will have enough scoring punch, shows because he ommitted Green and a few other scoring defenseman who are a bit weak on the defensive side.
Anyone hear Ruuty’s interview on 99.9 this afternoon? I was in the car and far away and couldn’t listen and can’t find a link. I’m sure he was his typical ebullient self over being selected but just curious if he had anything to say about Jussi.
SISU
I listened while being interrupted at work, but there is nothing really of note to report. Ruutu missed practice because he was not feeling well. He said all the right things about loving to rep his country, etc.. The interviewer, (Ovies) tried to get him to respond about the Jokinen snub, but he didn’t say much if anything about it. Just said they found out a couple of days ago.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Here’s the LINK .
And Staal comes up right after.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 30, 2009 11:12 PM EST up reply actions
Try that again. (missed a letter in the url the first try)
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 30, 2009 11:13 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks!
He does sound under the weather.
But excited about Vancouver. And the prospect of starting next season in Finland.
I like the way he says ‘privilege’.
:D
SISU
And “priority”. Or at least I think that’s what the word was supposed to be. :D
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
=D prio – ritty
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 31, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
Too cute. It sounded like he really wanted to go back and fix the way he said it, but had to keep going.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
you know you’re cute when you’re cute on the radio. uber-cute.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 31, 2009 5:49 PM EST up reply actions
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