Panthers Ink Jokinen and Van Ryn

[HordiBrusk29]

SUNRISE, FL – Florida Panthers General Manager Mike Keenan announced today that the club has signed C Olli Jokinen and D Mike Van Ryn to one-year contracts.

Jokinen, 26, was one of two Panthers to play in all 82 games with Florida during the 2003-04 campaign, pacing the club in goals (26), assists (32), points (58), power-play goals (8), game-winning goals (8) and shorthanded goals (2). He completed the 2003-04 season as the NHL’s leading Finnish scorer, three points ahead of Montreal’s Saku Koivu.

The Kupio, Finland native has represented his country at the 2002 Winter Olympics, each of the last four World Championship competitions and was a valuable member of Team Finland’s squad that reached the finals at the 2004 World Cup. Jokinen ranks among the top ten in the club’s franchise history with 168 points (7th), 77 goals scored (6th) and 91 assists (10th). For his NHL career he has played in 477 contests with Florida (2000-04), the New York Islanders (1999-00) and Los Angeles (1997-99) recording 210 points (97-113-210) and 494 PIM. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings with their first choice (third overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

Van Ryn, 26, completed the 2003-04 season second on the Panthers and first among the club’s defensemen with 37 points. He posted career highs for games played (79), goals (13), assists (24), points (37) and PPG (6), while pacing the club averaging more than 24 minutes of ice time per game.

The London, Ontario native became just the third defensemen in the team’s history to score as many of 13 goals in one season joining Gord Murphy and Robert Svehla. For his NHL career he has played in 148 games with Florida (2003-04) and St. Louis (2000-03) recording 50 points (15-35-50). He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils with their first choice (26th overall) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, but never signed with the club.

[jkidd]

better late than never to get these two signed, now all they gotta get is bouwy and they should be set. but i think them signing bouwy may take a little longer.

[devils29]

Bouwmeester needs to get it out of his head that he's worth more ATM than he actually is, first.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him not sign.

[jkidd]

Originally Posted by devils29

Bouwmeester needs to get it out of his head that he's worth more ATM than he actually is, first.
I wouldn't be surprised to see him not sign.

wont shock me either, panthers need him though to make a serious run into the playoffs.