Last night when the Phoenix Coyotes dropped a 3-2 decision to the San Jose Sharks, they did so without the services of center Olli Jokinen. It was only the second game Jokinen has missed since the 2002-03 season (the first one was Friday night's game in Colorado), snapping a streak of 397 consecutive games played. While it will never be confused with Cal Ripken Jr.'s ironman streak, it's still an impressive accomplishment to play in every NHL game for five consecutive seasons. Jokinen, 29, will be sidelined for two weeks with a shoulder injury suffered against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday.
Originally a No. 3 overall pick of the Los Angeles Kings, Jokinen was eventually shipped to the New York Islanders where he played one season before then-general manager Mike Milbury made, in my opinion, one of the worst trades in NHL history. Just prior to the 2000 NHL entry draft, Milbury sent Jokinen, along with goaltender Roberto Luongo, to the Florida Panthers in exchange for forwards Oleg Kvasha and Mark Parrish.
After toiling in anonymity for four years in Florida, developing into a consistent 35-goal scorer, Jokinen was again part of a draft day trade this past offseason, when the Panthers shipped him to Phoenix for Keith Ballard, Nick Boynton and a second-round draft pick.
So far this season Jokinen has 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists) in 21 games for the Coyotes.
