Calgary Flames New Recruit: Jyrki Jokipakka

Jyrki Jokipakka represents one of the best returns that the Calgary Flames achieved from any of the four trades they completed in the run-up to the trade deadline.

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Jokipakka was part of the return for Kris Russell, and in acquiring the solidly-build Finn, the Calgary Flames have arguably pulled off a bit of a steal.

His role for the Dallas Stars was mainly as a shut-down type defenseman, mainly seeing time as half of the third pairing.

For the Calgary Flames, it could be assumed that he’ll settle into a similar spot, given the stacked blue-line corps in front of him; the likes of Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie and Dougie Hamilton.

Last night, he saw ice-time as part of a third pairing alongside the oft-ignored Jakub Nakladal.

He delivered two hits as well as teeing up his partner for the only Calgary Flames goal, and in turn his own first Calgary Flames assist. Not a bad first impression.

Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley certainly seemed impressed in an interview with the Calgary Herald.

“He played tough, was very assertive in our defensive zone. For no practice, just a 30-minute video session this morning telling him what needed to be done and what to be expected, I give him high marks because he played a pretty solid game,” said Hartley.

Should the 195th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft continue to show such composure and skill, he seems like a very comfortable fit on the Calgary Flames blue-line and somewhat of a steal from this year’s trade market.

As a youthful, strongly-built defenseman, he certainly still has room to improve his game. His offensive skill-set is somewhat questionable and hasn’t been tested at NHL level, so that’s still to come.

Should he peak as a third pairing guy, so be it; a little more defensive depth never hurts.

Next: Flames May Not Find Hiller Trade Partner

Will Jokipakka only come into his own once the deals of Smid, Engelland and Wideman are off the books?

Or will he be able to muscle at least one of them permanently from the Calgary Flames line-up?

Should the Dallas Stars regret giving up this twenty-four year old blue-liner?

Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

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