For years, HWSRN went after Olli Jokinen. Free agency, trade deadlines, draft day deal making. Jokinen was always at the top of the list. Apparently not so valuable that James Sheppard could be part of the deal, but valuable none the less. After being traded to the Coyotes, he was labeled as a locker room cancer and traded to the Flames. His production plummeted, and his contract value dropped faster than the Greek economy.He was then traded to the Rangers, likely because of the expiring contract.
Jokinen is not who he used to be. He may never have been. The question we need to answer is what is his value to the Wild? Make the jump, vent your concerns.
Current Cap Hit: $5.25 million
Nathan: Who wants cancer? Not us.
Verdict: Chemo for $200, Alex.
Buddha: Fifty points for over $5 million? I don't really care if Mrs. Jokinen wants to scream at me, that's what we call a joke of epic proportions. Jokinen seems to have proven that his worth is exactly what it was even three years ago. James Sheppard. Enough said.
Verdict: Let him go to the KHL.
JS: It's been said that he probably won't be playing in the NHL this season, maybe signing with the Moscow Dynamo of the KHL, and frankly, I don't give a flying fuck. Sure, he's still putting up some O.K numbers... for a second liner. This guy has scored 87 and 91 points not too long ago, and right now, he's been declining like crazy, been traded a couple of times, (maybe it's getting traded to Calgary that does this.. I mean look at Bouwmeester!) and has shown little drive and motivation. He's been underachieving a lot. To me, he's still going to ask a lot of money, and not live up to his side of the bargain. I don't really think he would fit in with either our first or second line, and I just never liked him overall. If you would've asked me a couple of years ago, I would've said O.K. but right now, I say...
Verdict: Pass... Go underachieve in the KHL, you weird looking man!