Prospect Info: At 29th Overall the Blackhawks Select Henri Jokiharju (signed through 2020-21)

[BL92]

What's this kids ceiling? Seems promising.

 

[CallMeShaft]

What's this kids ceiling? Seems promising.

Hard to say what the ceiling is for a kid who's still 18. I will say that he's a shoe-in to be a future top 4. I personally think he can be a good #2, with a small chance at being a future #1.

Has an effortless stride and has the ability to carve in and out with ease. Likes to carry the puck up ice. Has been very good at choosing when to move the puck up ice and when to hold onto it for a bit longer.

There are questions of how good he can be defensively in the NHL, but I think he can be at least average at that (and way above average offensively). His shot needs a lot of work for the type of player that he is (PMD, PP specialist), but I really like most everything else about him.

 

[BK]

Shot improved this season.

 

[CallMeShaft]

Shot improved this season.

That's what I had heard, but I haven't seen too much of him myself this year to confirm it.

Still probably is a long way from having a laser of a shot, but at least he can hit the net (which is a huge improvement over Keith's PP ability).

 

[TheDoorDoctor]

I watched The winterhawks playoffs run and joki was being used in all situations. His offensive are his strong areas but he was very good in the defensive zone as well.

I think people will be surprised by that side of him. He just didnt make mistakes.

 

[Panzerspitze]

I watched The winterhawks playoffs run and joki was being used in all situations. His offensive are his strong areas but he was very good in the defensive zone as well.

I think people will be surprised by that side of him. He just didnt make mistakes.

"Great!" //Quennevilles pencils him in on the PK, with DeBrinkat upfront.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

"Great!" //Quennevilles pencils him in on the PK, with DeBrinkat upfront.

If he ever skates with the puck, Quenneville will pencil him into the press box

 

[SotasicA]

What's this kids ceiling? Seems promising.

I think a good top 4 d-man. I'm not willing to say his ceiling is a top pair guy, because that's overly optimistic. He'd need to take giant steps instead of reasonable ones.

I don't see him as a future core player, but he can be a valuable piece. Briding the gap between top pair "stars" and the rest. An Eric Weinrich.

So don't bank on him changing the course of the franchise, but he is a 100% guaranteed future NHLer. The Hawks are yet to draft that "next Duncan Keith".

 

[Kevin Musto]

The Hawks are yet to draft that "next Duncan Keith".

Ian Mitchell.

 

[BK]

You don’t just randomly draft Duncan Keith type players...HoF type players don’t come around that often.

Ian Mitchell has a really high ceiling. Stan appears to have hit with Mitchell and HJ (so far).

 

[Cubs2024WSChamps]

I think a good top 4 d-man. I'm not willing to say his ceiling is a top pair guy, because that's overly optimistic. He'd need to take giant steps instead of reasonable ones.

I don't see him as a future core player, but he can be a valuable piece. Briding the gap between top pair "stars" and the rest. An Eric Weinrich.

So don't bank on him changing the course of the franchise, but he is a 100% guaranteed future NHLer. The Hawks are yet to draft that "next Duncan Keith".

Weinrich was rock friggin solid in his prime.

That's damn good news

 

[No Fun Shogun]

No surprise, signed to a three-year deal through 2020-21.

RELEASE: Blackhawks agree to terms with Jokiharju

 

[Section88]

After reading some projections on him i guess im higher on him than most, it will be very interesting to see if he can make the team out of training camp this year, even if he does he will certainly need more seasoning, like any other young Dman, but id love to see him and Forsling running the PP in a couple years

 

[BK]

After reading some projections on him i guess im higher on him than most, it will be very interesting to see if he can make the team out of training camp this year, even if he does he will certainly need more seasoning, like any other young Dman, but id love to see him and Forsling running the PP in a couple years

Most have him as a top 4 guy with a ceiling of a good #2.

 

[Section88]

Most have him as a top 4 guy with a ceiling of a good #2.

Yeah thats a good safe prediction. Hopefully he can put it all together as nicely as possible. But only time will tell at this point.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

10 minute video about Jokiharju

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Hawks D pipeline is pretty exciting. They have a nice range of top pair guys and depth guys that could all be on the team in 2-3 years.

 

[bwana63]

Hawks D pipeline is pretty exciting. They have a nice range of top pair guys and depth guys that could all be on the team in 2-3 years.

Help is coming, that's for sure. Sadly, it won't be here soon enough for this season. The wave, anyway. But Joker is the vanguard and, hopefully, he forces the Hawks hand. Still, he's only 19.

Am fully expecting Forsling to make the team and get 2nd pairing minutes, hopefully.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Joki makes the roster. I don't see why he can't make the roster at 19 when guys like Sergachev, Girard and Provorov have been able to make the jump no problem. Joki is just as talented.

 

[ClydeLee]

Joki makes the roster. I don't see why he can't make the roster at 19 when guys like Sergachev, Girard and Provorov have been able to make the jump no problem. Joki is just as talented.

Q vs Cooper/Laviolette/Bernard for one.

Also dont think those teams had a very strong competition at their spot. Joki is directly against Murphy and Ruuta which is good to push them. Obviously Seabs will play but if Joki makes the roster with them healthy one has to sit or play LD likely pushing Forsling who has good odds to make it regularly at least to start the year again.

 

[migi]

Joki makes the roster. I don't see why he can't make the roster at 19 when guys like Sergachev, Girard and Provorov have been able to make the jump no problem. Joki is just as talented.

The biggest problem is that he has to basically beat Murphy, Rutta and Seabrook or someone of those three is traded. Joki needs to play all games or he should be in AHL.

No RD’s off-sides please.

 

[Fortyfives]

I’d rather Joki go to the AHL until Q is outa here. I don’t want this kid playing for someone that will bench him after one mistake on the ice. He needs to play in an environment where he can learn from his mistakes and not be constantly worrying about playing perfect hockey.

 

[bwana63]

Joki makes the roster. I don't see why he can't make the roster at 19 when guys like Sergachev, Girard and Provorov have been able to make the jump no problem. Joki is just as talented.

I don't think so. I think a half season in the A will do a lot for him. Then, if he's ready, bring him up.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

I don't think so. I think a half season in the A will do a lot for him. Then, if he's ready, bring him up.

Probably the best idea. If he’s looking good, trade Murphy or Rutta near the deadline to make room for him.

 

[bwana63]

Probably the best idea. If he’s looking good, trade Murphy or Rutta near the deadline to make room for him.

Precisely. Expecting a 19 yo to jump from juniors to the big show is a lot. There really isn't a rush. Much rather have him progressing at a good clip, than put him in the deep end too soon and watch him flail. 'Course, I expect the Hawks' brain trust is acutely aware of this.