Where Does Jokinen Play?
By JV
The Jets’ big offseason acquisition was the July 2nd signing of centerman Olli Jokinen. At $9M over two seasons, Jokinen will be expected to produce offensive numbers that at least match last season’s 61 point effort in Calgary. The big pivot instantly gives the Jets’ top-six some added credibility. There’s just one detail that needs to be covered…
1C or 2C: That is the question
Jokinen’s best years came in Florida when the former third overall pick (1997, LA Kings) flirted with being a superstar. He scored 77 goals and 180 points between ’05-’06 and ’06-’07, and even contributed a positive output in the plus/minus category. He was undeniably a top-line center and has treated as such ever since. Despite the new big price tag, this is not the Jokinen that the Jets signed this summer.
Olli Jokinen – The Early Years:
| Season | Tm |
GP
G
A
PTS
+/-
PIM
GW
S
S%
ATOI
2000-01
78
6
10
16
-22
106
0
121
5
13:23
2001-02
80
9
20
29
-16
98
0
153
5.9
18:05
2002-03
81
36
29
65
-17
79
6
240
15
22:02
2003-04
82
26
32
58
-16
81
8
280
9.3
22:35
2005-06
82
38
51
89
14
88
9
351
10.8
20:29
2006-07
82
39
52
91
18
78
8
351
11.1
20:32
2007-08
82
34
37
71
-19
67
5
341
10
19:54
Since his best years Jokinen has experienced a steady decline in production and has consistently posted big negatives in the plus/minus department. A career minus-111 shows dedication to defensive ineptitude. This is the key stat that the Jets need to find a way to fix.
If Jokinen plays on the top line – assumedly beside Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler – the big minus stats will continue. The center’s best attributes aren’t being a shutdown forward, it’s being a playmaker. The top-line should be left alone, Bryan Little continuing to center Ladd and Wheeler. These three give the Jets the best chance to shutdown other team’s top lines (think Staal-Staal-Semin in Carolina, or Ovechkin and Backstrom in Washington), while the second line will be depended on to put a lot of rubber on net.
Take a look at what Jokinen has done since leaving the Panthers and it’s not easy to understand a $9M payday.
Olli Jokinen – Escape From FLA:
| Season | Tm |
GP
G
A
PTS
+/-
PIM
GW
S
S%
ATOI
2008-09
TOT
76
29
28
57
-12
67
3
236
12.3
18:53
2008-09
57
21
21
42
-5
49
2
169
12.4
18:10
2008-09
19
8
7
15
-7
18
1
67
11.9
21:03
2009-10
TOT
82
15
35
50
3
75
3
236
6.4
17:52
2009-10
56
11
24
35
2
53
2
162
6.8
18:30
2009-10
26
4
11
15
1
22
1
74
5.4
16:29
2010-11
79
17
37
54
-17
44
1
208
8.2
17:47
2011-12
82
23
38
61
-12
54
5
223
10.3
18:58
Career
1042
292
391
683
-111
967
52
2977
9.8
18:39
What General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is hoping for is that Jokinen can boost the Jets’ power play while creating a formidable second line.
Last season Evander Kane and Alexander Burmistrov showed some good chemistry, combining on 14 goals. With a veteran playmaker like Jokinen playing between the two skilled youngsters, there’s the potential for Jokinen to have his best season since ’07-’08. Top-line responsibilities will be shed and he’ll be allowed to focus on getting the puck up ice, and onto the capable sticks of Kane and Burmistrov.
The top line will need to neutralize opponents’ star performers, while the second line – including Jokinen – will be given every opportunity to dominate the score sheet.