For the second time in two weeks, center Olli Jokinen is on the move to a new destination. The Toronto Maple Leafs, who acquired the services of Jokinen in a trade that saw defenseman Cody Franson and winger Mike Santorelli head over to Nashville, traded the Finnish veteran to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a late round draft pick. Jokinen is on the books for $2.5 million this season, and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the off-season. According to Chris Johnson the deal is for a conditional 6th round pick.
TOR trades Olli Jokinen to STL for a late pick.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 2, 2015
It was suspected that Maple Leafs management took on Jokinen’s salary in order to make the initial trade work, but that there were no plans on keeping him around. It seems that the plans of letting him go weren’t meant for the end of the season, but rather a flip to send Jokinen to another team in return for a draft pick.
In 5 games with the Maple Leafs, Jokinen recorded 1 assist and was a plus-1. His lone assist came on a game-winning goal against the Winnipeg Jets, in overtime, when he fed James Van Riemsdyk with a pass, during a 2-on-1 break.
For Olli, this is a sigh of relief. Signed with the Nashville Predators for this season, Jokinen’s chances at holding the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career seemed promising, with the way the Predators have looked all season long. It would be the first time Jokinen has seen the post-season since the 2008-09 season, when he was a member of the Calgary Flames. However, those hopes were dashed when Jokinen was sent to Toronto, a team who was fighting to stay out of the bottom five in the league.
Now, as a member of the Blues, those aspirations to finish off a stellar career have been rejuvenated.
More details to come.
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