I just saw Jim Lites and Jyrki Jokipakka with 2 other younger guys at Bone Daddy's in Plano. Recognized Lites immediately, didn't recognize the 3 with him until my bro texted me that we had just signed Jyrki so I looked him up and sure enough he was one of the 3!
So apparently every ELC comes with a delicious BBQ lunch!
I just saw Jim Lites and Jyrki Jokipakka with 2 other younger guys at Bone Daddy's in Plano. Recognized Lites immediately, didn't recognize the 3 with him until my bro texted me that we had just signed Jyrki so I looked him up and sure enough he was one of the 3!
So apparently every ELC comes with a delicious BBQ lunch!
I just saw Jim Lites and Jyrki Jokipakka with 2 other younger guys at Bone Daddy's in Plano. Recognized Lites immediately, didn't recognize the 3 with him until my bro texted me that we had just signed Jyrki so I looked him up and sure enough he was one of the 3!
So apparently every ELC comes with a delicious BBQ lunch!
Welcome to TX Jyrki! Enjoy the finest of breastaurants.
I had thought Riverdeck was going to stay overseas another year. Texas' group of defenseman has potential to be very very good next season, especially if Dillon doesnt make the big club and lukowich doesnt go elsewhere.
Is he for sure coming over this year? Just because he signed an ELC doesn't mean he'll be in Austin this year. I imagine Ilves would love to have him back at least one more season and if it means he gets top pairing minutes over there vs. bottom pairing minutes in Austin then I'd rather he remain in Finland one more year.
Oh yes. Given the season he's had, not really surprising, but you never know. Austin will have some great d-men in future.
Finnish media speculates JJ is going to stay at Ilves for one more year, despite signing an ELC with Dallas. He will get big minutes for Ilves for sure, only question is, how well will he perform at the Development Camp and convince Stars staff to open a roster spot with big minutes for him already this year in Austin.
edit. They also write he might participate at the preseason camp with the 'big' Stars.
Both the development camp and preseason camp can only help. If he's not getting 20 minutes a night in Austin because Nemeth, Olesiak, Dillion are then going back to Finland is the best thing for him. If he can get minutes and he wants to come over now, then great. Either situation seems like a winner to me.
I kind of hope he stays in Finland. I know it's not considered the "best" European league, but from everything I've read it's the closest to NA hockey.
He might be physically ready to come over here, but I think he'll probably get better minutes staying at home next season. In 2013-14, I think we'll see Dillon for sure out of the AHL (though I believe he'll already make the jump this season), and IMO you'll probably see Nemeth making the jump as well. Jyrkipakka and Oleksiak could get prime minutes in 2013-14.
Regardless ... I think it's a win-win no matter where he plays. Sounds like he'll be in a very good situation with either team.
I don't think we have just so many great defense prospects that these guys can't get solid minutes in Austin. Nemeth, Oleksiak, Dillon (I have him penciled in the Dallas lineup), and Jyrki possibly. What's the issue?
I don't think we have just so many great defense prospects that these guys can't get solid minutes in Austin. Nemeth, Oleksiak, Dillon (I have him penciled in the Dallas lineup), and Jyrki possibly. What's the issue?
They are also very high on Benn. He could be playing 3rd pair minutes in Austin or the #1 D in Finland.
Like I said ... it's not a big deal ... but I do think he'll end up back in Finland for at least one more year.
I'm hoping Benn is the 7th D-man in Dallas and thus a non-issue. Even if he were still in Texas (probably) I'm still counting on Dillon making the team out of camp thus leaving a top 4 spot for Joki. Last thing I remember Jackson saying gave me the impression that they feel he's ready.
Joki probably will stay in Finland for another year but if we could get him over here in a top-4 capacity I think that's the right way to go. He's old enough and experienced enough in a men's league, no real reason to delay things.
I'd rather Benn play minutes in Austin than sit on the bench in Dallas. They've already got Pardy as the healthy scratch there's no reason to sit Benn.
Either way as long as he's getting primo minutes that's all that matters to me.
I'm hoping Benn is the 7th D-man in Dallas and thus a non-issue. Even if he were still in Texas (probably) I'm still counting on Dillon making the team out of camp thus leaving a top 4 spot for Joki. Last thing I remember Jackson saying gave me the impression that they feel he's ready.
Joki probably will stay in Finland for another year but if we could get him over here in a top-4 capacity I think that's the right way to go. He's old enough and experienced enough in a men's league, no real reason to delay things.
I would really rather have Fistric riding the pine than Jordie Benn on the roster.
I'd rather Benn play minutes in Austin than sit on the bench in Dallas. They've already got Pardy as the healthy scratch there's no reason to sit Benn.
Either way as long as he's getting primo minutes that's all that matters to me.
I personally don't think they're "very high" on Jordie Benn although I do think they see him as a usable piece. I could be wrong, and I liked what I saw from him, but I just don't see him as a player they're really worried about taking a ton of care with as far as his development goes. They got him for nothing and watched him develop a good deal. He'll be 25 at the start of the season - that's pretty much do something or get on your way age.
In an ideal situation your 7th defenseman is an NHL caliber player - Pardy is not an NHL caliber player but Jo Benn is (IMO). When your 7th defenseman is a legit player you can tailor your defense corps on a given game to your opposition; Fistric could get some assignments and Benn could get others as they both play a different style. If Benn doesn't make a contribution at the NHL level soon he's going to be passed without really ever having gotten a chance.
