Jokiharju was a healthy scratch against the Capitals on Sunday but will replace Carl Dahlstrom on Tuesday. Jokiharju has just one assist, a minus-3 rating and two shots on goal in four games since returning from the World Juniors.
Jokiharju is fresh off of a gold medal with Finland at the World Juniors, where he registered two goals and three assists (five points) in seven games. Jokiharju has 11 assists in 32 games with the Blackhawks this season.
Jokiharju has had an impressive rookie season, picking up 11 assists while averaging 19:59 TOI/gm in 32 games. Jokiharju had two goals and two assists (four points) in five games at the World Juniors last season.
Jokiharju missed the morning skate and is officially listed as a game-time decision for Tuesday’s contest. Jokiharku is still looking for his first goal but has added 10 assists and 50 shots through his first 23 games.
It looks like Jokiharju will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season. Jokiharju has had an impressive rookie campaign, picking up 10 assists in his first 22 games, but will be replaced by Brandon Manning on Friday.
Jokiharju missed Wednesday’s practice because of the flu, but traveled to Minnesota and is expected to play tonight. Jokiharju has five assists in his first three games of the season and was bumped to the top power-play unit recently—adding to his growing fantasy value.
Jokiharju’s rookie season is off to a great start and he was moved to the top power-play unit on Tuesday, but he’s questionable for Thursday’s game vs. the Wild. Keep an eye on his status during Thursday’s morning skate.
Jokiharju, 19, was a first-round pick of the Blackhawks (No.29 overall) in 2017 and is coming off of a 71-point (12G / 59A) campaign with the Portland Winterhawks (WHL). His 71 points ranked tied for third among defensemen in the WHL and represented a 0.45 point-per-game increase from his rookie season. Jokiharju will likely battle for a spot on the Blackhawks’ blueline this fall, but will likely end up back in Portland.
Like a lot of young Finnish defensemen, Jokiharju is a strong skater with high-end passing skills. Jokiharju finished second among Portland Winterhawks defensemen in points in 2016-17, posting nine goals and 39 assists (48 points) in 71 games.
