What's the Story with Jussi Jokinen?

[rt]

Are his struggles related to injury, or is this just a major slump?

Thanks.

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[Unsustainable]

Ruutu was hurt, so that hurt us with a 3rd line center since Welsh wasn't ready.
So Jussi had to take one for the team and move to the 3C spot.

Since Nash has stepped up from the Checkers for the 3C spot Jussi hasn't found his game yet.
He's in a big funk right now.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Seems like every year, on every team, there's a guy who just can't get it together. This is Jussi's year. He's seen a lot of different linemates, been moved up and down the lines, played on the PP, played on the PK. You can tell from the line combinations that Muller has tried to get him going.

I'm not entirely displeased with his defensive game, especially on the PK where he has been serviceable, but offensively he has been brutal. He clearly needs to be in a different situation but at this point, I'm not sure what that situation might be.

 

[Identity404]

Jussi has been brutal since Muller became head coach. I don't think it has anything to do with Muller, he has put Jussi all over the place trying to get him going but he just looks terrible. Maybe he is playing injured.. who knows.. he looks extremely weak on the puck...

I know a lot of people are crying for us to dump him, but I would like to keep him around until Ruutu gets healthy and see if they can find their game together. If he continues to struggle next year, try to trade him or just cut ties...

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

IMO, it's better to let Jussi work out his issues than to trade him. Because when not slumping, he's usually quite effective. I personally think that he's the main victim of the lack of #3 centers here, and if a player like Nash or Welsh ever develops into that role effectively, then Jussi will have a more solid role as well.

 

[TheBigKahuna]

Jussi has always been terrible at the center position while with the Canes. This also isn't the first time he's been in a slump, but this one is pretty bad. It definitely makes his $3m salary laughable.


I'd run him out with J. Staal and Skinner for 3 or 4 games, and see if he finds his mojo...and leave the 3rd and 4th lines for checking, whatever. It's not like the 3rd line is a potent scoring threat right now. If after a while, Jokinen still isn't putting up points with Staal and Skinner, you waive him or trade him for whatever you can get. He honestly has ZERO value here on the rd line at $3m.

 

[Joe McGrath]

Jokinen has been awful offensively and a turnover machine, but at least he wins face offs and kills penalties. Right now he's basically an older but not yet useless Stephanne Yelle, which isn't worth 1/2 of what he's making, but is still valuable contribution

 

[Sasha Cares]

Is there a slower winger with less strength than Jussi right now?

 

[Roboturner913]

^
Ray Whitney comes to mind.

Still think Jokinen should be on the second line wing if you want to maximize offensive potential.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Jokinen has been awful offensively and a turnover machine, but at least he wins face offs and kills penalties. Right now he's basically an older but not yet useless Stephanne Yelle, which isn't worth 1/2 of what he's making, but is still valuable contribution

I dunno, Yelle was pretty much elite at faceoffs in his heyday and an excellent shadow. Jussi is not as good at either of those things as Yelle, though he is more of an offensive contributor, even while slumping.

I just don't see him staying on this roster if he can't contribute something offensively. He's not THAT good defensively, and we have other guys who are starting to create some competition on that front.

 

[Roboturner913]

I dunno, Yelle was pretty much elite at faceoffs in his heyday and an excellent shadow. Jussi is not as good at either of those things as Yelle, though he is more of an offensive contributor, even while slumping.

I just don't see him staying on this roster if he can't contribute something offensively. He's not THAT good defensively, and we have other guys who are starting to create some competition on that front.

At this point I am OK with seeing Nash and Brent at 3C and 4C (or flip-flop them if you'd like) for the rest of the season if it meant Jokinen was flipped for a decent d-man or moved up to 2nd line wing.

Dwyer-Nash-LaRose could be a good combo long-term. Not crazy good but dependable.

 

[tarheelhockey]

At this point I am OK with seeing Nash and Brent at 3C and 4C (or flip-flop them if you'd like) for the rest of the season if it meant Jokinen was flipped for a decent d-man or moved up to 2nd line wing.

Dwyer-Nash-LaRose could be a good combo long-term. Not crazy good but dependable.

Agreed. I'd like a better 3C but it feels like we're not going to get one this year.

 

[Joe McGrath]

I dunno, Yelle was pretty much elite at faceoffs in his heyday and an excellent shadow. Jussi is not as good at either of those things as Yelle, though he is more of an offensive contributor, even while slumping.

I just don't see him staying on this roster if he can't contribute something offensively. He's not THAT good defensively, and we have other guys who are starting to create some competition on that front.

Jussi is top 10 in the league right now in faceoffs and I said an older but not yet useless Yelle.

 

[Ole Gil]

I've always thought Jussi was one of the most 'chemistry based' players on the team. Meaning he has to be with the right people to play well.

In terms of doling out linemates and worrying about chemistry, Jussi has been dealt the AHL grab bag.

In terms of getting back into the flow of the game after the lockout, he definitely drew the short straw in terms of being put in a good situation.

 

[penalty reviver]

Are his struggles related to injury, or is this just a major slump?

Thanks.

He's ok, now that he's back from the tour.

 

[Datsyuk Prospect]

Well he's starting to pick it up, seems hes got something going with Nash and if that keeps going I see him staying no problem. If we could find another strong 3rd line winger who can move the puck and be a threat we'll have 3 strong scoring lines night in night out.

 

[Ole Gil]

Jussi is also a 30+ assist guy. That's the source of most of his points. And he's playing with people who would consider it a career year if they got 10 goals. So, again, it's an unfortunate spot to be put in.

 

[NorthStar4Canes]

Jussi sees the ice well but has never been able to generate its ownage himself, so his star rises or falls depending on whether he's the best guy on a line or not. When he's not, he can playmake and collect a bunch of assists. When he is, his game is exposed...he doesn't make anyone better because hes not a catalyst creating opportunities. He's a borderline perimeter player who a few times per season runs up against a D that has the kind of weakness he can exploit to pot a few ES goals, then goes back to a whole lot of nothing. He's worth about half of what he's being paid.

Jussi's ceiling is not looking out of place alongside someone who can take over, which is a far cry from, say, Tlusty who's showing he's at home and creating chances alongside Staal and Semin, not just along for the ride.

 

[ChuckW]

Jokinen is taking one for the team right now. He's not in his natural place, not feeling comfortable with his role.

He has been playing better as of late. When Ruutu returns Jokinen goes back where he fits.

He gets a pass from me right now. I'm not making him the whipping boy of the team, despite the fact that others seem intent on doing so.

 

[StormCast]

Jokinen is taking one for the team right now. He's not in his natural place, not feeling comfortable with his role.

Even when he was playing the 3C, I'm not sure I ever bought into the "taking one for the team" mentality. But now he's a 3W, it's to his benefit to being going against bottom D pairs even without being surrounded by offensive linemates. Let's face it, if he'd have played better earlier (and I'm not one of the guys who called for him to be sent packing), he'd likely be playing with JStaal and Skinner.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Has Jussi had the most success on the LW or RW over his time here?