Panthers sign Jussi Jokinen to 4-year, $16M contract
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The Florida Panthers have signed Jussi Jokinen to a four-year, $16 million contract.
Jussi Jokinen signs with Florida, 4 x 4
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) July 1, 2014
#FlaPanthers agree to terms with Jussi Jokinen pic.twitter.com/fIHO4rEADR
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) July 1, 2014
The 31-year-old, who was placed on waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes in March 2013, scored 21 goals and added 36 assists for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2013-14, adding a whopping seven goals in 13 playoff games.
Jokinen, drafted in the sixth round of the 2001 Draft by the Dallas Stars, is a veteran of 660 games, with 149 goals and 265 assists to his credit. His best season was 2008-09 as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes, setting career-highs in goals (30) and total points (65) after contributing seven goals and four assists in Carolina's surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals during the previous spring.
A solid positional forward, Jokinen possesses immense skill - as evidenced in his shootout prowess - and rarely makes mistakes with the puck.