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 The 35-year-old from Finland, who was selected third overall in
the 1997 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, signed a one-year, $2.5
million contract with the Nashville Predators.
"Olli Jokinen is a proven veteran center who will provide us with
size, leadership and offensive ability in the tough Central Division
and Western Conference," Predators general manager David Poile said
in a statement.
"He provides our coaching staff with more depth and options at the
forward position and coach (Peter) Laviolette believes he is a good
fit for our style of play."
Jokinen, who played in the 2003 All-Star Game while enjoying seven
successful seasons with the Florida Panthers, recorded 18 goal and
43 points in 82 games for the Winnipeg Jets in 2013-14.
In other moves on Wednesday, unrestricted free-agent forwards
Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin were both acquired on
four-year contracts by the New York Islanders.
Grabovski of Belarus, 30, and Russian Kulemin, 27, were teammates
with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2008-13. Kulemin played for the
Maple Leafs last season but Grabovski was bought out and signed with
the Washington Capitals.
Eight-year league veteran Grabovski, who had 35 points in 58 games
with the Capitals, is expected to slot in as the number two center
for the Islanders behind John Tavares.
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While more than 80 players traded teams on a hectic Tuesday as free
agency opened, only 17 had been snapped up by 7 p.m. ET (2300 GMT)
on Wednesday.
Among those on the move were Nick Schultz, who was signed by the
Philadelphia Flyers, and fellow defenseman Taylor Fedun, acquired by
the San Jose Sharks, both on one-year deals.
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank
Pingue)
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