Johnny Oduya, the Swedish born defensemen’s stars perhaps match well with the New Jersery Devils. Johnny Oduya came within hours of testing his worth on the open market, but he decided New Jersey still fits him perfectly. Oduya signed a multi-year contract reportedly worth between $3 million and $3.5 million per season to remain with the Devils, the only team he has played for in his three year NHL career.
“We are delighted to have Johnny Oduya stay with the organization,” Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. “He has developed into one of the more talented young defensemen in the National Hockey League.” The slick-skating Oduya played in all 82 games and seven postseason games in 2008-09, posting career highs in goals (7), assists (22) and points (29) during the regular season. He was a plus-21 while playing a lot of the season paired with Paul Martin.
The 27 year old Oduya was first drafted in the seventh round of the 2001 draft, 221st overall, by the Washington Capitals. He had stayed in Sweden unit 2006 and then he signed him as free agent with the NJ Devils. In his three seasons in NHL he had played 233 games and has 66 points on 15 goals and 51 assists. He has become a core blueliner for the Devils along with Martin, Colin White, Bryce Salvador and Mike Mottau.
Oduya could be in line for his biggest year yet. Not only is he buoyed by a new contract, if he has a strapping first-half he could most probably make Sweden’s roster for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. The Swedes are the defending gold medalists.
Meanwhile the Jokinen had agreed on two year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes. Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said, “Jussi was a good addition to our team last season, and he really stepped into his role in the playoffs. His ability to contribute on the power play and penalty kill, and his versatility at different forward positions makes him a valuable player.”
Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, proclaimed that the team has agreed to terms with forward Jussi Jokinen on a two-year contract. The deal will pay Jokinen $1.5 million in 2009-10 and $1.9 million in 2010-11.
The 26 year old Jokinen had completed his fourth NHL season in 2008-09. The Hurricanes had acquired the Kalajoki, Finland, native in a trade with Tampa Bay on Feb. 7, 2009, and he scored one goal and earned 10 assists (11 points) in 25 regular-season games with Carolina following the trade. Jokinen (5’11”, 198 lbs.) ranked second among Hurricanes skaters with seven goals, and tied for second with 11 points while playing in all 18 of the team’s postseason games. Jokinen has scored 54 goals and earned 118 assists (172 points) in 306 career regular-season games with Dallas, Tampa Bay and Carolina Hurricanes.
