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Calgary Flames

Flames acquire Olli Jokinen

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Olli Jokinen

#12 / Center / Phoenix Coyotes

6-3

215

Dec 05, 1978



GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2008 – Olli Jokinen 57 21 21 42 -5 49 6 2 2 0 169 12.4

TSN is reporting the Flames have dealt Matthew Lombardi, Brandon Prust and a first round draft pick to the Phoenix Coyotes for Keenan favorite, Olli Jokinen.

At first blush, I don't like this move for Calgary. Firstly, because I think the team needed to add to their forward depth (rather than swap one for two). Secondly, because I don't think Jokinen brings value for his relatively steep 5M+ contract (whereas Lombardi was outperforming his 1.8M deal) and thirdly, I hate giving up Lombo AND a first round draft pick for this guy.

Here's Jokinen's underlying ES stats. They are underwhelming this year (and were in Florida last season as well). Jokinen brings size up the middle and is a good PP trigger man, but he's never been much at 5on5. Here's hoping Keenan can coax more out of him.

The writing has kinda been on the wall for Lombardi all year. The Flames have a lot of organizational depth down the middle and Lombo wasn't good enough to usurp Langkow, but WAS good enough to seem attractive to other teams. He's been a favorite of mine for a long time and has actually been playing pretty damn well for the 2nd half of this season. His underlying stats are fairly strong and he should make a good addition to the Coyotes. The Flames gain a stronger PP player in Jokinen here, but lose a decent ES and PKer on a more attractive contract.


GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2008 – Matthew Lombardi 50 9 21 30 11 30 0 1 2 1 119 7.6

As for Prust – meh. I've never been that high on him as a prospect, so his loss doesn't effect me one way or the other. In fact, I'm kind of happy because this makes some room in the organization for guys like Backlund, Van Der Gulik, etc.

Overall, I'm ambivalent bordering on dissatisfied. But we'll see how this plays out on the ice…

Edited to add – Flames apparently received a PHX third rounder in return as well.

by Kent Wilson