Fantasy Take: Oilers ink Jussi Jokinen

Neil Parker

2017-07-07

Jussi Jokinen - USA TODAY Sports Images

 

Edmonton signed Jussi Jokinen to a one-year, $1.1 million contract Friday.

 

What the Oilers Receive

Jokinen is an experienced and well-rounded winger that can slide up and down the lineup. He's sound in all three zones, and his strong positional play is reflected in his excellent possession numbers. Jokinen is also capable of playing in all situations (including playing the point on the power-play), winning faceoffs, and he's especially dangerous in the shootout. The 34-year-old Finn's versatility will be a strong addition to an already deep offensive attack.

 

Fantasy Breakdown

Jokinen's best offensive days are behind him, and while he's just a year removed from posting a 60-point campaign, Edmonton doesn't need him to score. He should settle into a middle-six role and likely see a lot of ice time against the opposition's top players. Slotting in with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at five-on-five projects as a nice two-way duo, for example.

Still, there's always a chance Jokinen plays with Connor McDavid and/or Leon Draisaitl, which means the veteran's virtual value would skyrocket. It wouldn't be shocking if there were stretches where he boasted fleeting universal fantasy appeal.

 

📢 advertisement:

The Oilers have made a number of offseason moves and have a number of lineup options to mix and match. It's likely going to be a fantasy guessing game throughout the season, and probably a maddening one at that.

Jokinen's addition leaves two roster spots for Jesse Puljujarvi, Jujhar Khaira, Anton Slepyshev and Iro Pakarinen to compete for, so it's an obvious fantasy hit to all four youngsters. However, the winner of one of those position battles could also be eyeing a top-six role, so how things are shaking out in Edmonton during training camp will be important to monitor.

Right now, Khaira is likely to crack the roster, and Puljujarvi probably only needs a strong camp to also start the campaign in Edmonton.

 

As noted, Jokinen is a capable power-play quarterback, or at least he's manned the point with the man advantage in the past. That's a potential hit to Kris Russell, Adam Larsson, Darnell Nurse or Matt Benning, as there had been a power-play opening with Andrej Seker (knee) on the shelf for the beginning of the season. It's unlikely Edmonton turns to a five-forward unit with the man advantage, but Jokinen should receive power-play time, and it will probably come at the expense of a defenseman.

 

 

One Comment

  1. chuckcouples 2017-07-07 at 14:11

    Great write-up but it is missing the best part of these articles…who does it help and who does it hurt?

Leave A Comment

UPCOMING GAMES

Jan 14 - 19:01 DET vs S.J
Jan 14 - 19:01 WSH vs ANA
Jan 14 - 19:01 CBJ vs PHI
Jan 14 - 19:01 TOR vs DAL
Jan 14 - 19:01 PIT vs SEA
Jan 14 - 19:01 BOS vs T.B
Jan 14 - 19:01 NYI vs OTT
Jan 14 - 19:01 N.J vs FLA
Jan 14 - 20:01 NSH vs VGK
Jan 14 - 20:01 STL vs CGY
Jan 14 - 20:01 WPG vs VAN
Jan 14 - 21:01 UTA vs MTL
Jan 14 - 21:01 COL vs NYR

Starting Goalies

Top Skater Views

  Players Team
JACKSON LACOMBE ANA
MARCO KASPER DET
MATT CORONATO CGY
KAAPO KAKKO SEA
JAMIE DRYSDALE PHI

Top Goalie Profile Views

  Players Team
LEEVI MERILAINEN OTT
DUSTIN WOLF CGY
SAMUEL ERSSON PHI
CONNOR HELLEBUYCK WPG
JAKUB DOBES MTL

LINE COMBOS

  Frequency EDM Players
23.5 RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS CONNOR MCDAVID ZACH HYMAN
19.3 VASILY PODKOLZIN LEON DRAISAITL VIKTOR ARVIDSSON
14.0 MATTIAS JANMARK ADAM HENRIQUE CONNOR BROWN

DobberHockey Podcasts

Keeping Karlsson: Leaving Letang

Elan and Brian find a couple volume and potential starters showing up midseason, consider whether Jake Walman really is on the league’s longest hot streak, and encourage you to pause the pod for a Columbus 1C stepping onto one of the NHL’s best lines.

Fantasy Hockey Life: Mitch Brown on the WJC

Prospect maven Mitch Brown of Elite Prospects joins the show to break down performances from the recently concluded World Juniors tournament. Hear Jesse and Victor ask about Sam Dickinson, Berkly Catton, Bradley Nadeau, Eduard Sale, Jakub Stancl, Matej Mastalirsky, Adam Jecho, Danny Nelson, Cole Hutson, Brodie Ziemer, Kasper Haltunen, Victor Eklund, and Tom Willander. Have […]

Keeping Karlsson Short Shifts – Thanks for Vejmelkmories

Elizabeth and Lewis reunite to bring you all the latest fantasy news and strategy, such as how our siblings would fare if called on to fill our roles like Owen Sillinger did for bro Cole. Then it’s onto news including coverage of the postponed CGY/LAK game and defensive injuries piling up in MIN and putting some strain on Gustavsson’s performance. Injuries and outjuries include a pair of goalies returning to their teams in Ingram and Shesterkin, as well as how Monahan’s wrist injury opens the door for big minutes for Fantilli. Finally, the pair touch on Voronkov and PLD’s hot streaks, and discuss John Carlson’s rollercoaster in light of Chychrun’s production.

Keeping Karlsson: Tuch Hunch

On this edition of the Keeping Karlsson Fantasy Hockey Podcast mega-show, Elan and Brian tour every team, ranking a slate of the least bad goalies, noticing the wind in some Red Wings’ and Stars’ sails, dangling snoozer status above a pair of commonly rostered power-play quarterbacks, and rushing or strolling, accordingly, to some skaters on the up and up.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

📢 advertisement: