After three seasons in Switzerland, Juho Lammikko is returning to the NHL with New Jersey after signing a one-year, $800,000 contract on Sunday. The 28-year-old last appeared in the NHL with Vancouver in the 2021-22 season, where he recorded seven goals and 15 points in 75 games played. He is expected to compete for a roster spot come the 2025-26 season.
With the Panthers adding a bunch of bodies up front in recent months, Lammikko was set to lose his roster spot in 2022. The 25-year-old forward had four goals and one assist (five points) in 44 games with the Panthers a season ago but is known more for his defensive game and penalty killing abilities. With Brandon Sutter and Tyler Motte both out to start the season, Lammikko has a good chance to make an impression early.
Lammikko will make his playoffs debut with Sam Bennett suspended for Game 2. Lammikko will centre the fourth line and comes in with four goals and one assist (five points) in 44 games this season.
Lammikko, 22, had six assists in 40 games during his time with the Panthers. With Vincent Trocheck (ankle) set to make his return to the lineup on Friday, Lammikko was the odd-man-out on the active roster.
Lammikko has five assists in 30 games this season but has been held pointless in the last 15 games and 28 of 30 games. Lammikko will be replace by Denis Malgin.
Lammikko, 22, was a third round pick (No.65 overall) in 2014 and has spent the last two seasons with the Thunderbirds. Lammikko has just 14 goals and 25 assists (39 points) in 108 career AHL games. He is expected to make his NHL debut on Thursday with Derek MacKenzie dealing with an upper-body injury.
