Red Wings sign NHL veteran Jussi Jokinen to PTO
By @StefanKubus –
The Detroit Red Wings will have a 951-game NHL veteran with them at training camp and during the preseason at the very least.
Detroit has reportedly signed Finnish forward Jussi Jokinen to a professional tryout after Jokinen himself broke the news on his Instagram account with a photo of his plane ticket, set for a path from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to Detroit.
Jokinen, 35, has posted 191 goals and 563 points in 951 career NHL games. Albeit a tryout, the Red Wings mark his tenth NHL stop and fifth in two seasons. Jokinen started the 2017-18 campaign with the Edmonton Oilers before being traded to Los Angeles, placed on waivers and claimed by Columbus and finally dealt to Vancouver. Jokinen has also suited up for Tampa Bay, Carolina and Pittsburgh after breaking into the league with Dallas in 2005-06.
Jokinen really made a name for himself when the NHL implemented the shootout into its overtime procedure. Dating back to 2005-06, Jokinen ranks 12th in shootout goals with 37 in 96 attempts, converting at a 38.5-percent success rate.
With the log jam of forwards up front, especially with young ones pushing for roster spots, it’s plausible Jokinen is being given an opportunity to shine for other teams around the league as much as Detroit.
Rule 15.4 of the NHL and NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement states that teams must dress at least eight veterans for each preseason game. And with Henrik Zetterberg out indefinitely and others like Mike Green coming off neck surgery, it opens up another veteran spot for preseason contests.
A Club shall be permitted to dress a minimum of eight (8) veterans for any Exhibition Game. For purposes of this Section 15.4(c), a veteran shall constitute either: (1) a forward or defenseman who played in thirty (30) NHL Games during the previous season, (2) a goaltender who either dressed in fifty (50) or more NHL Games or played in thirty (30) or more NHL Games in the previous season, (3) a first round draft choice from the most recent year’s Entry Draft, or (4) any Player who has played one-hundred (100) or more career NHL Games. The matter of Player participation in Exhibition Games shall be referred to the NHL/NHLPA Competition Committee for its consideration and recommendations, if any, in accordance with Article 22.