Poised for breakout?
Bigger Jokinen ready to become Panthers' No. 2 centre
By MICHAEL RUSSO Faceoff.com correspondent Olli Jokinen, everyone's favorite underachiever, has teased with brilliance before, so it's difficult to get totally optimistic about Jokinen's first week of training camp.
But if one wants to give the talented Finnish forward the benefit of the doubt, it was certainly a good week.
With the Panthers without a clearcut No. 2 center, skeptics rolled their eyes when the Panthers said during the off-season that Jokinen was the favorite to win the job entering training camp.
But Jokinen, 22, apparently took the opportunity seriously. He worked hard this summer, added six pounds of muscle and was one of the Panthers' bright spots during the first week.
"I feel I can handle [the second-line center job] now," said Jokinen, a year after not being able to handle the Panthers' second-line right wing position.
"I'm a year older. I'm on the same team, finally being on a team for the second year in a row. It's an easier start. I know the guys. I know the system."
Coach Duane Sutter said, "If he can play with a little bit of grit, move the puck with some authority, use his wingers and go to the net, he has a good chance. His skill level always has been recognized and now it's just a matter of the consistency."
Jokinen was spectacular in the Panthers' intrasquad scrimmage Saturday, scoring a goal and assisting on three others - including Marcus Nilson's winning in overtime. He meshed perfectly with Swedish left wing Kristian Huselius, who also had a goal, three assists and a number of highlight-reel plays.
"You can tell all of them have played elite hockey, whether it be in the NHL or in Europe," Sutter said. "Pretty good stick skills and vision and playmaking. It's something we might have to consider down the road."
Since the Los Angeles Kings selected him third overall in 1997, Jokinen has played for three teams in four years and compiled 26 goals, 58 points and a minus-37 rating in 234 games.
Last season, Jokinen bounced around and eventually was relegated to fourth-line duty during a disappointing six-goal, 16-point, minus-22 campaign.
Jokinen, who did not get along with former coach Terry Murray, feels he wasn't ready to shoulder so much responsibility last season.
"When I was with the Islanders, I was playing the checking line," Jokinen said. "I came here and there was a spot on the second line. I couldn't handle it. It was different than the Islanders. Here they wanted me to score goals and over there I was told to check only.
"I'm not trying to make an excuse. I couldn't pick up my game last year. Playing one game well every 15 games was kind of frustrating."
And patience is running thin for many, including Jokinen.
"I've been waiting to [break out] since I was drafted," Jokinen said. "I've been waiting for three years to bring the game I had in Finland over here. I know it's somewhere inside of me."
HUSELIUS DAZZLES FANS: Last season, Huselius dominated the Swedish Elite League like no one else in history when he swept the titles for the six scoring categories.
Now Huselius hopes to continue his phenomenal play in the NHL. Don't be surprised if this world-class athletes competes for the NHL's Calder Trophy.
"He's one of the best stickhandlers in the league already, and he hasn't played any games," Jokinen said. "It's amazing. He's a very smart player."
Huselius is highly-skilled but not physical. Most felt it would take him a while to adjust to the cozier NHL rinks, but he's looked great in the first week.
Over the summer, he got stronger and so far has bounced right back up from practice punishment from physical players, John Jakopin and Peter Worrell.
"They have to play their style and I have to play my style," the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Huselius said. "They're pretty big and I'm not that big. In Sweden, there are a lot of big guys too. Of course, there's a difference, but if you get used to it, it shouldn't be a problem."
And general manager Bill Torrey is thrilled with that attitude.