2009-10 Canes Country Exit Analysis: Jussi Jokinen
by Bob Wage on Jul 22, 2010 11:38 AM EDT
in 2009-10 Exit Analysis
64 comments
Carolina Hurricanes forward Jussi Jokinen had a career year last season. He almost doubled his previous career high of 17 goals with his 30 tallies and he finished with a total of 65 points, 10 higher than his heralded rookie year in Dallas.
The Hurricanes acquired the native of Finland in a one-sided trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning midway through the 2008-09 season as they unloaded the salaries of Wade Brookbank and Joseph Melichar and sent Tampa a fourth round pick in exchange for the sharpshooter. Jokinen went on to be a playoff hero as he notched several important goals during the 2009 postseason.
Now Jokinen is a fan favorite as some even shout his name during the "National Anthem." He is being counted on to perform well again this coming year. Will he be able to surpass last season's career best totals?
The Good: Jokinen had a team high 30 goals in 2009-10 and finished third on the team with 65 points. He also led the team with a shooting percentage of over 18%. The Finn has a great shot and coaches would probably love to see him shoot more often. Jokinen is a very flexible player and can be moved around to different positions on the ice. Center, left wing, right wing, he can be effective anywhere. He also has one of the best shootout percentages in the NHL. So far for the Canes, he has been clutch more often than not and had a team high six game winning goals last year.
The Bad: There is not much negative to say about this player. He can be taken advantage of on defense at times, although his plus/minus was a respectable +3. Jokinen is not known as a physical player and can be out muscled along the boards or in battles for the puck.
The Money: Jokinen is in the final year of a two-year contract which will pay him $1.9 million this coming season. His cap hit is only $1.7 million. The following year he will be an unrestricted free agent and will be due a huge raise. Will the Hurricanes be able to afford him?
Discussion: Based upon his salary and your expectations, what grade would you give Jussi Jokinen? What does he need to do to improve? How do you think he will do this coming season?
For previous team grades, check out this link: 2009-10 Canes Country Exit Analysis.
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Where’s the A++ with a gold star and smiley face option?
"The increase in pain is way beyond what you would expect a person to play with," said coach Paul Maurice. "Unfortunately it’s even beyond what Tim Gleason can play with, because he can play with just about anything."
+100
YES, the steady, clutch play certainly was far better than most could have hoped for! JR really did good acquiring Jussi! I expect even more improvement in his output this year, as MO finds new ways to utilize his talents. DEFINITELY A CORE PLAYER!!
Totally Right
Jokinen was amazing last season and showed his talent and character through a very difficult season. Absolutely a core player.
Personally I voted
a “B” but i’d make it a “B” plus as he did a great job last season and as a fan I’d hope at the worst he’d replicate his efforts from last season…and if possible…shoot more and who knows, if the man can and does stay healthy…he should NOT have any problems doing what he did accomplish again for thr 10-11 season..thanks for this …
And if it Aint Hockey,It Aint Nothin !!
That Checkers 3rd Sweater ROCKS !!!
If I didn’t take this opportunity to plug a few things, I’m pretty sure Dani would hunt me down and kill me. :) Sorry Bob, but a girl’s got to do what she can to survive.
First, Jussi Jokinen for 2011 All Star is a fantastic campaign. For all those people that voted to give him an A, what are you waiting for?! Become a part of history!
Second, for all those on here who are on Twitter, you can follow the evolution of this campaign! Check out @Jussi4ASG.
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
Thanks – I meant to mention the FINNTASTIC campaign but hit ‘post’ too fast then had to take a call.
I hear there’s some snazzy t-shirts, too. :)
"The increase in pain is way beyond what you would expect a person to play with," said coach Paul Maurice. "Unfortunately it’s even beyond what Tim Gleason can play with, because he can play with just about anything."
Lmao…I guess I just get slightly over zealous about a great cause!!
And really does anyone need me to tell them what I voted…;0)
RAKASTAN SUOMEN!!
by danicanes on Jul 22, 2010 9:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You would almost have to give Jussi an A. He had a career year, reached the 30 goal mark, continued to be “jack of all trades,” and did it all season long at a very affordable price.
I hope that he can continue with these contributions, but I would be surprised to see his numbers drop a little next season. I still think he should get 55 or 60 points, especially playing with a healthy Staal all season.
Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!
I gave Jussi an A. I don’t know how management feels, but I think of all three Finns as core players !!
As to whether we can afford to re-sign him next year———-since we are sitting on the cap floor right now———I would say it depends on where the “self imposed” cap will be next year. I don’t think we can go on year after year at the cap floor, since even young players will need raises at some point. If we stay cheap for the long haul, I don’t think we will compete well over the long haul.
And Jussi was willing to “work with us” on his last contract, as I recall. But I look for him to have another" A" year. He is a self motivator and puts high demands on himself. That is one of the things that makes him special to me.
GO CANES! Go Heels!
Don't have to be registered to vote in polls.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 26, 2010 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions
A
Jussi was an A…so was Sutter
2 years to the Cup
by Caniac233 on Jul 22, 2010 12:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Not Gleason? (Just asking..)
Twitter @HMof2
by hockeymomof2 on Jul 22, 2010 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
With Brindy and Cole off the books we better be able to afford him.
http://www.prosportsblogging.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Jul 22, 2010 12:43 PM EDT reply actions
too bad
….Cole is not off of the books now. If I see him do his no scoring drag move across the goal mouth only to be poke checked or bumped into the crease one more time..I am going to hurl. Last time I saw him score on that move was in Washington in 08.
2 years to the Cup
by Caniac233 on Jul 22, 2010 12:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and Cole only knows one trick… and he’s not very good at it anymore.
http://www.prosportsblogging.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Jul 22, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Forgot to mention Samsonov coming off the books too. There’s $9mm of deadweight off the ledger.
http://www.prosportsblogging.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Jul 22, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Which we will need to try and hold on to our Finns.
Keeping Pits alone if he has another year of performance like last year, will eat up a considerable amount of those gains.
I am all for it of course. Keep the Finns together. I can’t help but feel the camaraderie for foreign players to have team mates from their home land to work with help improve performance, morale, etc. It offers intangibles that should make it very worth the coin needed to keep them.
I’ll read the article, but I didn’t have to read it to cast my vote!
It’s very timely, HM just tweeted an article from the Oilers blog that explains their recent lack of success as a direct correlation to their lack of Finns.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
Here ya go – from Copper and Blue. Further proof (like I needed it) that more Finns = more wins.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
and we thank them for Pitkanen!
"The increase in pain is way beyond what you would expect a person to play with," said coach Paul Maurice. "Unfortunately it’s even beyond what Tim Gleason can play with, because he can play with just about anything."
Yeah, and just in case they’re shopping, NO, they can’t have any of ours!
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
I had the same thought when I got to that part of the article! Let them buy some from Minnesota, preferably before Oct.
"The increase in pain is way beyond what you would expect a person to play with," said coach Paul Maurice. "Unfortunately it’s even beyond what Tim Gleason can play with, because he can play with just about anything."
Well
I’d ship them Coleinen back, myself.
CANIACS: If you know what's good for you, you won't admit to winning Tripp Bingo!!
Hard to make that case right now with Finn-heavy Carolina and Minny stinking last year.
by Cory Lavalette on Jul 22, 2010 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
deffinately an a for jussi
the only other player that deserves an a is sutter.
"A" if he got 20 saves and killed an enforcer a game + bought 49% of the Canes
But until Jussi shoulders the responsibilities of a goalie, beheads Colton Orr, Steve Downie, and Dan Carcillo, and pays 49% of his own salary, I can’t justify giving him an A.
Seriously, how can Jussi not deserve an A? Exactly what is knocking him down a letter grade?
by curiouscanesfan on Jul 22, 2010 2:00 PM EDT reply actions
I have no clue. Maybe he needs to walk on water for some people. A! A! Freaking A!
"...they will not force us...they will stop degrading us...they will not control us...we will be victorious..."
Mah blog.
I did. Kudos for catching it! :D
"...they will not force us...they will stop degrading us...they will not control us...we will be victorious..."
Mah blog.
That is one of my favorite quotes from a movie. I know it’s completely hokey, that it’s an MTV movie, and that it stars Dawson, but I have that movie right next to David Lynch and PT Anderson films. I cannot for the life of me explain why I like that movie, but I absolutely love it. Needless to say, I’d give it a ten. A ten. A freaking ten!
Is it possible to be addicted to hockey?
I DON'T. WONT. YER LAFF!
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 26, 2010 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I tried the
sandwhich and it was ok…when i got it home I "re-dressed’ it as there wasn’t enough lettuce,,,but i did give the Jucie a “B+” for over all team player but a diffenate A++++ for his efforts…gee these mid day naps suck !! Be safe Y’all
And if it Aint Hockey,It Aint Nothin !!
That Checkers 3rd Sweater ROCKS !!!
Since Jussi is who got me into hockey (playoff heroics)
I merticulously (sic) went through every goal he scored last year, and put them into 4 categories;
Garbage Goals (Goals from rushing the net, scoring off of missed chances and screwups with quick reflexes)- He scored 10 of these
Breakaways- (self-explanatory) He scored 4 of these (I was shocked too)
Empty Nets- He scored 3 of these
The category he scored most in, a total of 12 in I called “Spontaneously Becoming Brett Hull”- In which Jokinen displayed amazing sniping skills, often with one timers. It was a treat to see him be set up by Whitney with a cross ice pass, only to whack it home with pinpoint accuracy over the shoulder of a dazed Brodeur (who was as consequence pulled). Seriously, I think a 70 point season next year is easily within reach, and 80 points is right there on the horizon. Remember,
He is in a contract year
He will play more than 40 games with Staal (preferably 82)
He has to prove to those nay sayers that he is infact a first line, 70-80 point talent.
Watch out for the Juice next year!!
P.S. I voted B (just kidding)
by SouthernHockeyNutter on Jul 22, 2010 2:35 PM EDT reply actions
I hope you’re right Nutty. If Jussi get 70 to 80 points, that means Staal is probably going to have around 90. And that would probably mean the Canes are playing well and winning games.
Triple Gold Juice - It's Potent and Guaranteed to Help You Score!
One thing to note, though...
His high shooting percentage may be an abberation, as it was easily his career high and he has never shown such skills before.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 26, 2010 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Jussi's due
1st time blogger… long time reader.
I would like to know what others think about JR working out a contract extension asap… is Jussi due? How would this effect the ‘cap’?
welcome.
I think with the uncertainty of the outcome of Peter Karmanos attempting to sell a portion of the franchise, there is little chance that management would be looking to extend anyone’s contract early until they see if they have a buyer and figure out what the budget would be for the following season.
Although they could always surprise us.
Editing Manager of CanesCountry.com
Well, I see someone gave Jussi an ‘F’.
It was probably this guy.
Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
SISU
I know that I’ve found people who understand me when I knew who the picture was of before I clicked the link. :) Although LTD, I’m kinda disappointed you didn’t photoshop a donut in there first. ;)
"What Carolina really has going for them is Brandon Sutter. When that kid first showed up, he looked like a skinny little thing that wouldn’t last two weeks. But he’s turned into a real star."
by caniacgirl on Jul 22, 2010 8:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sorry I'm late...
"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?" -- Oddball, from Kelly's Heroes
[My Hockey Photoshops] [My Music] [Beat a Dead Horse]
by Raccoon Fink on Jul 23, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup I knew it before I opened it and was already laughing!
RAKASTAN SUOMEN!!
by danicanes on Jul 22, 2010 9:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yup I knew it before I opened it and was already laughing!
RAKASTAN SUOMEN!!
by danicanes on Jul 22, 2010 9:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
3 Fs
looks like Marty got his family to vote.
Seriously though, how can you give this guy anything other than an A? Easily the best forward on the team this past year (although Sutter deserves recognition as well).
+30
as i remember hearing all the bye bye’s given to MB as he skated off the ice !!! hehehe…way to go LTD !!!
And if it Aint Hockey,It Aint Nothin !!
That Checkers 3rd Sweater ROCKS !!!
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