Last week, the Calgary Flames made headlines when they officially signed Hunter Brzustewicz to his entry level deal, and now, they've added to that, signing another big piece from the Elias Lindholm to Vancouver trade.
On Sunday, the team announced that they have officially come to terms with defenseman Joni Jurmo on a two-year entry level deal worth $850,000 annually. The 21-year old was originally a third-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in the 2020 NHL Draft, and now the team will hope that he can transition to the United States over the next few months to take his career to the next level.
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— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 24, 2024
We have signed defenceman Joni Jurmo to a two-year entry-level deal!#Flames | @original16beer pic.twitter.com/AUEStLNp2h
The Finnish blue liner has tallied just one goal and five points in 46 games played in the SM-Liiga this season, and while the numbers don't impress like a Brzustewicz, the team like his defensive play and physicality as well as a potential future in the NHL. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 207 pounds, he certainly fits the bill of what the Flames like, and now joins a suddenly crowded future on the teams blue line.
Joni Jurmo shows serious skill in this drill. The skating is a work of art, with fantastic footwork early to maintain speed and create separation. The loaded wrist shot is *heavy*. A true standout at Dev Camp today. #Canucks @ilveshockey pic.twitter.com/0a2OPQ2CFT
— Adam Tate (@ADTate39) July 4, 2023
It's unclear where he sits in that stacked group now, with the likes of Miromanov, Grushnikov, Brzustewicz, Poirier and a potential pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, but he has the skating, the size and the IQ to be a potential third pairing for the Flames in the NHL. Jurmo's best season in Finland came in 2022-23, as he tallied career highs in games (52), goals (5), assists (8) and points (13), and while he doesn't bring the hype that the other prospects on this team currently do, it would be a surprise if he didn't crack the roster one day.