Jokinen signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Predators in July after spending the past two seasons in Winnipeg. He will be part of a significantly retooled Nashville offense this season along with the aforementioned James Neal, Mike Ribeiro and Derek Roy, as the Preds attempt to adopt a more offense-first approach. The 35-year-old Jokinen could be pegged for a second-line center role with the Preds, after racking up 18 goals and 25 assists over 82 games with the Jets last season. He's also shown some moxie on the defensive end, registering 120 hits and 62 penalty minutes in 2013-14, so he does offer some value in those fantasy formats that feature secondary stat categories.
Jokinen managed seven goals, seven assists and a minus-19 rating in 45 games last season. He's only had one 20-goal season in the last four years and was on pace for less than 15 last year. Given he doesn't collect penalty minutes the way he did early in his career and he can single-handedly lose you the plus/minus category in head-to-head leagues, it's tough to consider Jokinen a viable option at center, other than using him on a rare occasion in very deep leagues.
Finishing second only to Jarome Iginla for points among Calgary Flames with 61 last year, Jokinen should fare well in the move from Alberta to Manitoba; his passing abilities, 38 assists last season are rivaled on this Jets squad only by Blake Wheeler, who posted 47 helpers last year; Jokinen's skills will be in high demand straight away. The Winnipeg front office has been vocal in its commitment to slow, sustainable development of its franchise's talent profile, so when they bring in a free agent for $9 million over two years, one has to think that they have big plans for Jokinen. As long as the abdominal tear that Jokinen was able to play through in April does not give the 33-year old veteran problems in 2012-2013, 1997's third overall pick makes for a smart mid-round selection in this year's drafts.
Jokinen registered 54 points (17 G, 37 A) last season, but his minus-17 rating in the plus/minus column left a lot to be desired. Calgary is in desperate need of secondary goal-scoring to complement captain Jarome Iginla, and Jokinen needs be one of the guys consistently lighting lamps. Jokinen's scoring output will be a barometer on Calgary's chances of making the playoffs, but his enigmatic ways often has fantasy owners scratching their heads.
Get up, get down, Olli is a joke in this town. Again. The Flames are going back to the well for the third time with Jokinen in what was probably the most surprising free agent signing of the summer. The last experience didn't end so well - Jokinen failed to produce, posting 35 points in 56 games before getting traded to the Rangers at the deadline. Moreover, he didn't click with star winger Jarome Iginla, and was rumored to be a destructive force in the locker room to boot. What could possibly go wrong by trying it again? In fairness, the Flames were desperate to sign another center in the wake of Daymond Langkow's lack of progress recovering from his neck injury and had to take a chance on some discounted properties in the free-agent market due to their cap situation. Jokinen is almost certainly a good bet to improve somewhat - his 6.4% shooting percentage jumps out as an anomaly. But expecting him to recover all the way back to his peak form as a member of the Panthers is expecting too much.
After toiling with Florida for seven years and with Phoenix for three-quarters of a season, Jokinen finally got a shot with a playoff club in Calgary, scoring 15 points in 19 games. After starting out on fire immediately following the trade, Jokinen struggled down the stretch. However, he's now had a full offseason to adjust to his new team, and could center a first line with star winger Jarome Iginla. Playing on a better team, his plus/minus should go up from the terrible number it's been over the last couple seasons, and he should put up something between 70 and 80 points.
The Coyotes acquired Jokinen's services in the Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton trade. Last season as a Panter, Jokinen was able to put up 71 points (34 G 37 A) on a Panthers team that was lackluster at best. By skating on a line with Shane Doan and Peter Mueller, he should continue to be a solid player. He may even perform better than expected because of his desire to impress his new teammates.
We’re no longer left to wonder what kind of potential this guy has, which is what a second straight season of career-high totals in the major categories will get you. One of Jokinen’s biggest assets as a fantasy player has been his durability — he has played through a combination of nagging injuries, not missing a single game in either of the last two years. He’s gone from a double-digit minus rating to a double-digit plus rating, on a non-playoff team no less. Given the Panthers certainly look no worse than years past, it seems fairly safe to say Jokinen will be in the range of 90-100 points once again.
Coming off the career year everyone knew he was capable of, Jokinen figures to threaten the 100-point plateau this season. He thrived with Gary Roberts on his left wing last season and his production has been boosted by adding the role of playing the point on the power play.
Florida's Mr. Everything through some dark years has to be excited about the changes the team has made since he last put on a Panthers jersey. Jokinen has been the sole focus of opposing defenses for a while and could really benefit from playing on a deeper team.
