THN.com Blog: Who's the next Olli Jokinen?
Olli Jokinen didn't break out until his fifth season in the league when he scored 65 points in 81 games. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images for NHLI)
Brian Costello
2008-08-03 09:35:39
Olli Jokinen has played all but one game in the past five seasons and his 374 points during that span ranks among the NHL’s top 10 since 2002-03.
Yet there was a time when Jokinen was considered a bust, a flop, a washout. He had just finished his fourth NHL season in 2001-02 and didn’t yet have 90 total points. He was on his third NHL team on three corners of the United States and all they shared in common was the exasperation they felt with him. Jokinen was a Patrick Stefan before the real Patrick Stefan.
The third overall draft pick in 1997, Jokinen was expected to be a dominant offensive force right from the get-go.
But it wasn’t until he was almost 24, his fifth year in the NHL, that Jokinen blossomed. His 36 goals for the Florida Panthers that year were one more than the 35 he had in his first four years combined.
It would have been too easy to give up on Jokinen in those early years and let him go back to Finland. Us members of the media are often too quick to jump all over top prospects who don’t mature quickly to projected expectations.
So while Jokinen, 29, will continue to flourish in Phoenix – and perhaps play his first playoff game – here are a few more heralded prospects who are candidates for a career breakthrough season in 2008-09.
Gilbert Brule - The sky was the limit for Brule after he was taken sixth overall by Columbus in 2005. He made the Blue Jackets out of training camp, but then sustained two serious injuries that limited him to just 34 games (seven in the NHL).
Brule had no business being in the NHL at 18 years old and his fast-tracking clearly stalled his development. Columbus kept him again as a 19-year-old and he didn’t even play 11 minutes a game en route to a 19-point season. Things got even worse in 2007-08 and this summer he was traded to Edmonton.
Still just 21, Brule is eager for a fresh start in a new environment. He unquestionably has the speed and skill to develop into a producer who can play on the top two lines. It might not happen this season, but it’s far too early to throw him out with the bath water.
Cam Barker - It’s easy to forget the Pittsburgh Penguins were the worst team in the NHL in 2003-04 and were poised to take Alex Ovechkin first overall in the 2004 entry draft. But it was the Wa
The big losers that year were the Chicago Blackhawks. Just one point out of the basement, the Hawks slipped from second pick to third after Washington won the lottery. They went from getting a can’t-miss superstar to a best-of-the-rest prospect.
Cam Barker is no slouch, but he’s a long way removed from Ovechkin and Malkin. Projected to be Chicago’s power play quarterback of the future, the best he can hope for now is being the No. 2 gunslinger behind Brian Campbell.
At 22, Barker has yet to prove himself completely in the NHL and his development has been interminably slow. But with excellent credentials and a roster full of young, talent-laden teammates, Barker is on course to make a steady ascension into top-four defenseman status.
Bobby Ryan – The image of Anaheim GM Brian Burke and Pittsburgh GM Craig Patrick standing at the podium of a unique 2005 draft lottery drawing is still crystal clear. One of those gentlemen would be the winner of the lottery and get the right to select Sidney Crosby. The other? Well, he’d have the right to select anyone not named Sidney Crosby.
The Ducks selected Bobby Ryan second overall that year and three years later, Crosby has out-pointed Ryan 294 to 10 in the NHL.
That doesn’t mean Ryan is a flop, although ex-Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe would have you believe he is. Ryan just turned 21 a few months ago and has shown he can score at every level when given the opportunity. He’ll get that chance this year with the Ducks in the NHL.
Ryan will never challenge Crosby on the scoresheet, but he will become a prominent player on the top two lines in the future. It’s far too early to write him off.
Brian Costello is The Hockey News’s senior special editions editor and a regular contributor to THN.com. You can read his Top 10 list on Wednesdays and his blog each weekend.
For more great profiles, news and views from the world of hockey, Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine.
bropete (Posted 2008-09-16 09:34:08)
Nice backpedal razzledazzle.....If the Oilers have to depend on Brule to make the playoff's they're in trouble. Good thing Brule will have a hard time cracking a lineup full of good young players who are now complimented by veterans Cole and Visnovsky. The battle of Alberta will be interesting to watch this year.
Matthew (Posted 2008-08-07 13:47:32)
I agree with most of the posts. Cam Barker is just waiting to take it to the next level, he may never be the dominant defencmen he was in junior but he could easily develop into an Eric Brewer type shutdown player.
I like this article but at the same time the people picked are still quite young, whereas Jokinen was 24 when he broke out...so you have to go back to the 2002 draft to find anyone that might be similar.
Somebody mentioned Khari Lehtonen, good possiblity. You also got Pitkanen and Scottie Upshall in there...I like Upshall but judging from Mike Milbury's comments about off-ice problems with Jokinen and how Pitkanen has bounced around...I'm gonna go with Joni. He had a miserable season here last year - if he can get his head on straight, watch out....
I like Brule alot, but I don't think he can crack the lineup to get valuable minutes. He will probably play in the minors to start off with (I don't think he has to clear waivers) and him and Schremp will be early callups.
You could even put Schremp on that list almost.
Still, next Olli Jokinen is Joni Pitkanen
Maverick (Posted 2008-08-06 20:01:39)
The flop of all high forward picks should be called the next Alexandre Daigle or Patrick Stefan. For defensemen, Aki Berg.
DiPietro39 (Posted 2008-08-05 23:41:09)
Lets see the islanders picked 31 players in the last 3 years so I think they are good to go. 5 more years and they will be on top!!!!!!
wildoil (Posted 2008-08-05 20:19:32)
my pick would be andrew ladd in chicago. this guy has been sitting on the edge for a few yeraes,but so far has not lived up to his scoring potential. the guy he was traded for tuomo ruutu could be put in here to. i just like ladds scoring potential more. he needs to play with more desperation though.
Seb T (Posted 2008-08-05 16:56:16)
I think Zerdev is reasy to show his worth. Why dont we add Rostislav Olesz and maybe even Kari Lethonen to the mix?
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-08-05 11:00:27)
Zherdev is a good one to be on this list, where Barker and Ryan aren't, really. Everyone knows that defensemen take longer than forwards to learn the NHL game, so Barker not being an elite defenseman yet, while the two players taking before him already being superstars is no real suprise. Same goes for Ryan, who, if I remember correctly, was touted as a power forward. It seems like those guys take a little bit longer than the "skill" guys do to develop, and the guy will always suffer in any comparison to the guy taken ahead of him. He also was drafted by an organization that would have the luxury of allowing him to develop at the minor level, unlike Columbus and Brule, where they obviously felt he would be able to develop better. They were wrong. It's too bad he wasn't a couple of years older, so that when the lockout happened, he could've spent that year at the AHL level, like Stahl and Spezza, and learned to dominate at the lower level before moving in to try their hands in the NHL. Spezza and Stahl benefited, and Brule probably would if he were down there, too. Give him ice time and a coach who will play him in all situations, get his confidence back, and he'll be fine. Zherdev needs to play, and I think on the Rangers, he will, with three (and possibly four) of their top six forwards gone.
Jeff L. (Posted 2008-08-04 16:17:59)
What about Nik Zherdev?
I think he's far more likely to break out than Brule, especially with Zherdev now a Ranger.
fred (Posted 2008-08-04 15:30:41)
now i like the words of dave...not every player is a superstar...expectations have depleted players development for years and teams,owners & management are setting the plateau too high....not everybody is a crosby
DETROIT RED WINGS FOR BACK TO BACK CHAMPS
Mike (Posted 2008-08-04 13:38:15)
Capmess11, if you would of actually read the article you'd find out Costello is asking who's the next player who looks like a bust but just turns out being a late bloomer instead. Dubinsky had a career year last year in his first full NHL season, scored 40 points and played in all 82 games without demotion to the AHL. That is a pretty successful first season, hardly a bust, and thus he doesn't qualify for comparison in this article.
Capmess11 (Posted 2008-08-04 13:10:17)
What about Brandon Dubinsky? He has size and has incredible hands. He hits more than Ollie and never takes a night off.
Viqsi (Posted 2008-08-04 11:50:37)
Like quite a few Jackets fans, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Brule actually come into his own someday, even if it's not here (nearly all of us were convinced that any such revival simply wouldn't happen here; too many bad memories and such). What I'm not looking forward to is all the knee-jerkers who will immediately seize on that moment as yet another excuse to go on for pages about how Columbus Fails At Everything and such.
Dave (Posted 2008-08-04 11:47:05)
Far too much media hype around first year picks, these are still kids who need to learn their trade and pay their dues. At 6' 4" and 200 lbs, Eric Staal played a year in the AHL, averaged a point a game against the men, and was seasoned when he arrived in the league. Parise was a year developing his game, Higgins 2 years, and Jason Pominville, last years leading scorer for the Sabres played 4 years for Rochester. Brule, like many others, was thrown to the wolves as a franchise player without the opportunity to hone his skills and develop as a player. Very few players step in immediately and make an impact, it is a process too many GMs overlook. As for Barker, maturing into a solid defender with some offensive upside is part of the development process. Keep in mind there is a relatively young group of defenders in Chicago, and a more experienced veteran to mentor the kids, like a Blake, Hamrlik, or Zubov, would pay dividends. The main point overall is when you play against the best players in the world, the learning curve can be steep, so let's keep our expectations realistic and realize not every young player will be a superstar.
Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-08-04 11:07:02)
Brian, I think that you're short-changing Cam Barker by including him in this group. Obviously, you ARE acknowledging an upside by including him in a field of POTENTIAL breakout players, but I still think that this youngster is simply being judged by who he isn't (the two players selected before him) and not by who he is. Campbell may be quarterbacking the Blackhawk power play this year, but Barker is much younger and will probably inherit that role as he matures and as Campbell's career winds down. Barker is part of that core of young talent that the Hawks have assembled that should have them competing with the Wings as the class of the Central Division (and the entire Western Conference) within 2 or 3 seasons. And speaking of guys who took a while to blossom, let's not leave out The Flower (pardon me for tripping on nostalgia. . .again!). Guy LaFleur was picked first overall in the '71 draft, but didn't emerge as the dominant player that he eventually became until the 74-75 season (I have to add this, even though I know it will make Adam Proteau cringe if he reads it: LaFleur really came into his own after he discarded the helmet!).
Nick Eman (Posted 2008-08-03 23:47:12)
Ryan isn't exactly a disapointment yet, not to me anyways, he is just working his way up from the minors to the Ducks the same way Getzlaf and Perry did. Jokinen, had already played a few full seasons in the NHL before he brokeout, so suggesting Ryan is a "disappointment" early in his career like Jokinen was, is like the age old apples vs oranges comparsion. The Ducks priority the last two seasons has been competing for the Cup, the didn't exactly have the luxury of letting Ryan make mistakes at the NHL level.
Greg Watson (Posted 2008-08-03 23:24:59)
As far as Brule, he was brought into the NHL too soon. He should have had time to develop his skills in the AHL first. Bringing players along too soon can stall their development. I hope that is not the case for Brule because he has great potential. Time will tell here.
I hear Pat Falloon's name come up in the same breath and I don't know that I agree with that statement. The Blue Jackets screwed up in developing Brule. Falloon was just plain a bust who got his chance and could not play with the big boys....
Jordan (Posted 2008-08-03 22:42:58)
Have you watched Brule play? The kid isn't great with the puck and has a long way to go in terms of being strong on the puck. A LONG way. In jr. he scored lots of points, but he never had the puck. He was a shooter, and because he had a good shot for that level, he scored lots of points. He also is a very immature kid and has a lot to learn about what it takes to be a pro in the NHL. Getting shipped to the AHL last year, and starting there this year will be a wake-up call of epic proportions for him. If he doesn't get it after this year, he will never get it. There was a reason he barely got 11 minutes a game on one of the worst teams in the league.
Gregory (Posted 2008-08-03 21:08:56)
Hey Brian,
How about an article on "Who's the Next Alexander Daigle"?
WTF (Posted 2008-08-03 18:15:51)
just reading these comments I have to ask the question, who are more dilusional, leaf fans or oiler fans?
edmontongoalie (Posted 2008-08-03 17:53:26)
Jon, the Oilers have Garon in net and granted he is no Martin Brodeur or Roberto Luongo he is steady and catches what gets pass the defence (which won't be much!) They have Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers ready to replace roli as back-up when he retires so they are solid in every position!
Razzle-Dazzle (Posted 2008-08-03 17:48:04)
Jason, the connection I tryed to make with Brule & Falloon (or Harvey) was that Falloon ( once again, or Harvey) was once a highly touted jr player that end up a 4th liner out of work. Just a joke, no hard feeling. As for Brule, he has a couple of years and time will tell if he lives up to his true potential. Aslo with the oil, I always though Garon was a *no.1 in the making * but can never keep his consistency level up to were a no. 1 should be. If Garon has a solid year and the team stays healthy the oil might make the playoffs. still a good young team in the making .
hemsky83 (Posted 2008-08-03 17:25:01)
Oilers aside from their top four lines have Brule, Shremp and Potulny as depth forwards. Not many teams "5th" lines have that much potential.
Jason (Posted 2008-08-03 16:58:45)
gotta agree with jon, except for the comment with the goalies. roloson can be an adequate goalie, one who won't lose you the game, but he won't steal a game either. he's just so inconsistent. with garon, he showed he has the skill, but we don't know if he'll be able to keep that level of skill over 60+ games. i wouldn't go as far to say that edmonton needs better goalies, period, but i would say that edmonton goalies are just inconsistent and unproven. could change this year... for edmonton goalie prospects, the top two are a fairly decent bunch. not brodeur-caliber, but strong enough to be number 1 goalies in the league. the goalie prospects had a problem in that edmonton only just got an AHL team as of last year. before then for 2 years, edmonton sent their players to different AHL teams controlled by other NHL teams. most likely, those teams will rather develop their own organizational players than their competitors. so that's probably why you may not have heard too much about edmonton's goalie prospects.
for razzle-dazzle... i have no idea how you can tie brule to falloon or harvey... and the only 'big mess' the oilers have is the fact that they have more NHL-capable forwards than they have open roster positions up front. that's a problem i'd be willing to take. as far as the playoffs go, nothing is for sure of course, but i've gotta say that i'd be surprised if edmonton DIDN'T make the playoffs.
Ken (Posted 2008-08-03 15:19:17)
Wow, Chicago could of done some damage with a Toews-Malkin one-two punch. The wings might realistically had some competition for first place in the division. Oh well 'if its and buts were candy and nuts we'd all have a merry christmas.'
Jon (Posted 2008-08-03 14:24:17)
Are you kidding? The Oil would have made the show last season if they weren't injured and they got a hell of a lot better. With so much fast young talent how can you not be excited for this team. Gonna be one hell of an entertaining team to watch thats for sure. All they need is better goaltending and they will flourish. D is solid, offense is solid but their keepers are lacking. I'm not too sure but I dont think they really have any goalie prospects to write home about either.
Razzle-Dazzle (Posted 2008-08-03 13:30:26)
Are Gilbert Brule and Pat Falloon related? or was it Todd Harvey? hahaha oil have big mess on their hands this year! no playoffs for you! not even close!
Kevin (Posted 2008-08-03 13:12:15)
I remember when the habs picked Carey Price ( 5th overall ) over Brule in 05 thinking * Wow, they pass on the frenchman ( I know he was born in Edmonton, but I didn't at the time ) for a goalie when they already have Thoedore *. What a difference 3 years can make. Price is a starting goalie at 20 ( with expected ups and downs ) Thoedore is a shell of his former self ( he had flashes of the form that won him the hart in 02 last season ) and Brule has yet to scrap the surface of his potential. Yes, bad management and injuries didn't help but he is yet to prove that he is a full time NHLer and running out of time to do so.
spankyDT (Posted 2008-08-03 13:00:20)
I will have to agree with joe D because brule will be a good player playing with the edmonton oilers and i know for sure i will pick him in a late round for my sleeper pick.
trryabel (Posted 2008-08-03 12:23:38)
Joe D
I didn't know they had fantasy leagues for the AHL! Brule will spend the next two years in the AHL trying to become a shadow of his former self thanks to the idiots managing the Blue Jackets. This kid needs some serious rebuilding on his confidence levels
Joe D (Posted 2008-08-03 11:50:07)
with speed and skill Brule will blossom in Edmonton.... could prove to be steal in late rounds of fantasy leagues....
bob (Posted 2008-08-03 10:22:00)
Ask any NHL scout what the problem is with Bobby Ryan....HE CAN"T SKATE!! Major, major flaw in his game, all the tools other than that//exceptional.....and watching him and I have noticed, he's alot like Lindros, has his head down alot and puts himself in bad situations(which is contributed to by the skating issue)...concussion waiting to happen.....
habs4life (Posted 2008-08-03 10:14:01)
I agree with your evaluation of Ryan, he is going to be a great two way player in the league soon. Not so sure about Baker, he should probably be there by now with his games played and ice time, but defensemen always seem to need more time to develop ( Mike Komisarek looked like bust until last season and he is now 26)
Advertisement
Which team will win the Northeast Division?
"Nobody cares about Jarome Iginla and guys like that. They're just not exciting enough. They don't bring enough to the game."
- Sean Avery, Dallas Stars.
Our Partners
The Hockey News Corporation. All Rights Reserved © 2008 Transcontinental
Standards: XHTML 1.0 STRICT + CSS 2. V 1.5 17.09.2008
