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After Florida buyout, Jokinen signs with Oilers

Florida Panthers v New Jersey Devils

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 06: Jussi Jokinen #36 of the Florida Panthers waits for a faceoff in an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on December 6, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

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Jussi Jokinen wasn’t out of work for long.

Just six days after Florida bought him out of his contract, Jokinen has signed a one-year deal with the Oilers, the club announced on Friday.

Per TSN 1260, the contract is for $1.1 million.

Jokinen, 34, had one year left on his four-year, $16 million deal with the Panthers, one that carried a $4M cap hit. The decision to buy him out came after a difficult ’16-17 campaign, one in which he dealt with a MCL injury and finished with just 11 goals and 28 points in 69 games.

The hope for Edmonton is that the veteran Finn can regain the form shown two seasons prior. Jokinen had one of the best years of his career in ’15-16, scoring 18 goals and 60 points in 81 games. His 42 assists were a career-high, and he averaged a healthy 18:17 TOI per night.

The Oilers are also probably hoping Jokinen can be something of a mentor for fellow Finn Jesse Puljujarvi, the fourth overall selection in 2016. It’s expected Puljujarvi will be pushing for a full-time gig in the NHL next season, after splitting last year between Edmonton and AHL Bakersfield.