Jussi Jokinen Traded To Pittsburgh Penguins For Conditional Late-Round Pick

A week after Jussi Jokinen cleared waivers with no takers, the 30-year-old forward has a new home.

Jokinen was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins Wednesday for a conditional sixth- or seventh-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that Carolina will get a seventh-round pick if Jokinen plays in 25 percent of Pittsburgh's playoff games and the Penguins make the Stanley Cup Finals, or will get a sixth-round pick if Jokinen plays in half of Pittsburgh’s postseason games and the Pens win the Cup. The Hurricanes will also retain some of Jokinen's $3 million 2013-14 salary.

Jokinen has struggled this season, registering just 11 points in 33 games, and he cleared waivers last week. With no interest around the league in taking on Jokinen’s hefty contract on waivers, GM Jim Rutherford reportedly had to eat some of Jokinen’s 2013-14 salary in order to move him and clear cap space for next season. Here is the release from the Hurricanes, and Canes Country will be at Rutherford's 3 p.m. press conference and have more news on the trade deadline later.

‘CANES ACQUIRE CONDITIONAL PICK FOR JUSSI JOKINEN
Forward has 11 points in 33 games this season

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has acquired a conditional 2013 sixth or seventh round draft pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Jussi Jokinen. Carolina retains a portion of Jokinen’s salary.

"We thank Jussi for his great service to our organization during the last five years," said Rutherford. "This deal is important for our team’s financial flexibility moving forward."

Jokinen, 30, has scored six goals and added five assists (11 points) in 33 games for the Hurricanes this season. The Kalajoki, Finland, native was originally acquired by Carolina from Tampa Bay on Feb. 7, 2009, and totaled 68 goals and 117 assists (185 points) in 288 regular-season games with the Hurricanes. Jokinen (5’11", 198 lbs.) appeared in 18 Stanley Cup playoff game for the Hurricanes, totaling 11 points (7g, 4a) during the team’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2009. Selected by the Dallas Stars in the sixth round, 192nd overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Jokinen has earned 346 points (121g, 225a) in 569 career NHL regular-season games with Dallas, Tampa Bay and Carolina.