Canes Country Exit Analysis: Jussi Jokinen
by Bob Wage on Jun 18, 2009 11:38 AM EDT
37 comments
One of the unlikely heroes of the 2009 playoffs, Jussi Jokinen, is another player who had a rollercoaster type of season. The Finn went from the depths of being on the waiver wire, to burying game winning goals for the Hurricanes in the playoffs. He proved himself to be a dependable, flexible player during the postseason and is someone that management will certainly want to have back next season.
Jokinen was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the sixth round of the 2001 entry draft. After playing in Finland for a few seasons, he enjoyed his best NHL season during his rookie year of 2005-06 while scoring 17 goals and finishing with 55 points. More importantly, the sharp-shooter made a name for himself during shootouts as he went most of the season without missing any of his attempts.
After two successful seasons with the Stars, the forward was sent to Tampa Bay in 2007-08 as part of the Brad Richards deal.
Jokinen started this season off in Tampa Bay playing for new coach, Barry Melrose. The campaign began pretty well for him and he was praised by his coach, who once said that the forward was the best player in Tampa. (Strong words considering that Vincent Lecavalier also plays there). But the team was not winning and Melrose got his walking papers. When coach Rick Tocchet took over, Jokinen saw his role diminish and his numbers went down. Suddenly, he was no longer worth his 1.875M salary, and he was put on waivers.
The Hurricanes were interested in the player immediately, but did not have room in their budget for his salary and did not claim him. Eventually, Jim Rutherford was able to convince Tampa to accept two unused pieces in the Carolina system, Josef Melichar, (1M), and Wade Brookbank, (600K), then tossed in a draft pick, and the numbers finally worked.
Jokinen was happy to be on Tobacco Road, but got off to a bit of a slow start as he tried to find a niche here. In March he had to suffer through the personal tragedy of losing his father. The team was still trying to figure out a good place for the skilled player, and ended up slipping him into Matt Cullen's spot when the center had to miss several games when he took a puck to the foot. Jokinen performed so well that it seemed like the Canes never missed a beat as their end of season winning streak continued, even with their number two center sidelined.
During the playoffs, he really showed what he was capable of as he matched his season total of goals, (seven), in just 18 playoff games. More importantly, several of the goals were pressure packed game changers, (two game winners and a game tying goal in game 7 in Jersey).
The Good- Jokinen is extremely versatile. Not only can he play any forward position, he can do it well. He is an excellent passer, shooter, and playmaker. He's also a smart player who seemed to be in the right place at the right time, especially in the playoffs. He's money in the shootout, and should be worth at least a couple of points if the team makes it to the post game skills contest. Jussi is a fan favorite, (now shouting "JUSSI" during the anthem), and has been a positive influence on teammate and friend, Joni Pitkanen.
The Bad- The Finn has never been known to be especially strong on defense and is a career negative on the plus/minus stat. (Although he does play on the PK) He's not a physical player and can be pushed off the puck at times when hard pressed. He needs work on the forecheck to see if he can be more effective at that aspect of the game.
The Money- He earned 1.875 million last season and now is a restricted free agent. The money is high for his regular season production, but again he showed what he is capable of in the playoffs. The key is consistency. He made no secret that he loves it in Carolina and wants to come back. One way or the other, Rutherford will accomplish this, even if it is just a one year deal.
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Previous grades, (by poll average):
Chad LaRose - A
Matt Cullen - B
Eric Staal - B
Rod Brind'Amour - C
Ryan Bayda - B
Niclas Wallin - C
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Jussi can
play on any line, and at any position. Though through his career he has been known to lack defensive awareness, I rarely if ever saw this happen. For a player to go through what he went through last year, waivers and loss of his father, and come up so big in the playoffs is amazing. I think that JR’s move to acquire Jussi was one of the savviest moves of his career, and one of the best in the entire league last year. Jussi seemed to develop instant chemistry with whoever he was on the ice with, the chemistry between he and Joni is down right amazing. Down the stretch and into the playoffs he was one of our most dependable guys in the faceoff circle. He just seems to find the right place on the ice to make a pass or score a goal. I think that any defensive short comings he has can be remedied by the coaching staff next season. Think about what this guy could accomplish with the same line-mates and in the same system for an entire season. My first real memory of him as a Cane is him beating Miller in the shoutout to give us the home victory over Buffalo. Heck, are there anymore Finns out there that JR can add to the roster? How about Vaanenen?
That is also one of my first real “love” for Jussi moments too… however it wasnt Miller in goal. That was right after Miller got hurt.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 18, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Your are right...
was it Lalime in net that night? Either way beating the Sabers is always satisfying.
I gave Jussi a B. His resilience through tough times, character and his play in the post season all say he gets an A, but regular season was a B.
so… A-/B+ range.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 18, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions
I'm REALLY excited to see what he can do with a full offseason to get a role established and his feet under him.
He could easily be a 60+-point scorer, IMO.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
He could easily have another 10-20 point season too.
I love Jussi as much as the next Caniac, but lets not set the bar TOO high for the guy next year.
anything higher then 45 would be great
anything between 20 and 45 is what I expect
anything from 10-20 would be disappointing, but not unlikely
by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 18, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
"Another 10-20 point season?"
What exactly are you talking about? He had 27 points this year in 71 games, and that was his career low.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 18, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Hardly...
He spent most of the season under a coach who didn’t like him/know how to use him, and he spent most of his regular season time here adjusting. I think the 11 in 18 line in the playoffs (against, obviously, playoff caliber opponents) is more indicative of what we’ll see out of him (that’s a 50-point season over 82 games.)
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 18, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
No, it still stands. He could easily go out and have a near career low season as he could go out and set a new career high.
Jussi is the man, but I would just relax a little on the expectations. He seems to be thriving in Raleigh, but his career high is 55 points, his rookie year.
by Iggy Reilly on Jun 19, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
also think Kabrele and Samsonov- signed then stunk.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 19, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think those are fair comparisons...
Both were older (Jokinen is 26, Samsonov was 29, and Kaberle was 32) and Samsonov certainly didn’t “stink” this year, IMO. From November through March, he had 47 points in 67 games. Not what he did in his ridiculous ’08 run, but still plenty respectable.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 19, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
oh yeah… 26 and 29 are FAR apart!
Nothing is really a fair comparison because these are completely diffrent people. But it happens. It happens all the time. To think he might tally 60points next year is a fair enough assumption. You like to dwell on stats and such and rip other people for things, so I say 60 is an unreasonable prediction- based on almighty MP’s standards.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 19, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, they are far apart...
There is a HUGE difference between a 29-year-old coming off his 10th NHL season and a 26-year-old coming off his fourth.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 19, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
There really is a huge difference. I wasn’t the same person at 29 as I was at 26. Not by a long shot.
by Andrea's evil twin on Jun 19, 2009 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions
And, in hockey terms, I meant that one was far more likely to still be growing and developing as a player.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 20, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Tell that to the Staal Bro’s, AO, Sidney Crosby, Malkin….
by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 21, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
You're saying they're done developing?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 21, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
No, I’m saying that whats the difference in them in early 20’s and a guy like Zetterberg…
Not much anymore… they all have a cup.
We are talking about different people here. There are always going to be different circumstances.
Soooo… My mentioning Kabrele and Samsonov(not even comparing them really… just throwing out the idea of how things work) and you trying to make this into an age thing is a moot point.
They are all different people with diffrent skill sets. Some players are great when they are young and dumb, and others greatness dosnt show till they are in their late 20’s.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 21, 2009 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Craig Adams has a cup too...I guess he's no different either.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 21, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions
does that actually mean anything or do you just say something smart-ass to get the last word? You know what I ment. Dont be so fickle.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 22, 2009 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions
You just said there's "not much difference..." between players who "have a cup."
Which really has nothing to do with the question at hand, how players can be expected to develop over the course of their NHL career.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 22, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Which has nothing to do with age…. Some are great young. Some it takes more time. Some wear out early… some last 20+yrs…
That has been my point from the start of this whole discussion.
I think your so quick to argue anything that you sometimes forget what your arguing about. I wouldnt have a problem with that if you didnt come across as such a ahole when you say things…. I would even partially agree with you on some things, but your comments are so smart-assed that you make it sound like its definitive, yet you fail to see that they arent necessarly.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 22, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
But it DOES have to do with experience.
Of which Samsonov and Kaberle had at least twice as much as Jokinen in the NHL.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 23, 2009 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m done here… your just being a hard-headed obtuse moron.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 23, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Cute, real cute.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 23, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Jussi gets an 'A' from me
Past performance is no guarantee of future performance, etc., etc. but I give him an ‘A’ for last season’s performance here because he way over-exceeded my expectations and that’s my ‘A’ criteria. Not many players get an anthem changed on their behalf. I think he stays and for reasonable dollars and that’s cool with me. IMO it’s impossible to have too much sisu on your team.
I think that so far Jussi gets the best GPA of all the players we have graded so far….
I think it says a lot for a guy who was placed on waivers a couple times…. and then traded… and then had to go back to the home land to deal w/ personal tragedy…. and then to come back and contribute to his team and to become almost instantly popular w/ his teams fans….
And on top of that…. you can really tell that his team mates want him to succeed…
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jun 18, 2009 4:43 PM EDT reply actions
I gave Jussi an A because the guy plays hard every shift. He is a likable guy and can score almost at anytime. He can clean up the garbage in front of the net to get an easy goal, and absolutely cans goalies in the SO.
Rutherford, YOU MUST PAY JUSSI WHAT HE WANTS!!!!!!
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
Gave him an A b/c he played big in the playoffs – and we weren’t expecting him to be a game breaker aside from his past success in the shootout. He’ll easily put up 40-50 pts next year if he maintains ice time.
My only (rhetorical) question is, how far do we go to keep “team Finland” together?
Stop with the expectations!
He’s just as likely to play 20 MPG and score 12 points as he is to put up 40-50.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 19, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Who is the freekin’ boob who gave him an F???
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Jun 19, 2009 5:03 PM EDT reply actions
Nah, there are a couple of trolls. Just ignore them.
by Andrea's evil twin on Jun 19, 2009 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
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