In a move that’s only really a gamble for area copy editors/copy-paste-adverse fans, the Washington Capitals announced that they handed defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka a PTO invite for training camp.
Jokipakka deserves some credit for amassing 150 regular-season games of experience at the NHL level at the relatively young age of 26. That’s not bad for a guy who was drafted in the seventh round (195th overall) in 2011 by the Dallas Stars.
He’s bounced around a bit lately, going from the Stars to the Flames in 2015-16 and then from the Flames to the Senators in 2016-17.
Despite some solid experience, his stats speak mainly to him being a mundane presence.
That said, Jokipakka could at least be a feasible bottom-pairing or even seventh defensemen for the Capitals, if he can make the team. Washington has seen some gutting losses on the blueline in the departures of Karl Alzner, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Nate Schmidt, so it doesn’t hurt to look into a variety of options to try to stop the bleeding.
If only his defensive skills intimidating forwards as much as his name strikes fear into the heart of bloggers, writers, and copy editors alike ...