Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Checks back in after scratches
Rotowire
Jokiharju logged 18:42 of ice time, earning two blocked shots, two shots on goal and two PIM in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Kings.
Jokiharju was a fixture in the lineup for the first month of the Sabres' season, but he sat out six straight games from Nov. 5-16. The 25-year-old was back in the lineup Wednesday since Mattias Samuelsson (lower body) is on injured reserve and Dennis Gilbert was rotated out of the lineup after failing to impress while playing five of the six contests Jokiharju was scratched for. The uncertainty in Jokiharju's playing time takes away most of the already-minimal fantasy value he had heading into the season. The defenseman has three points, 19 shots on net, 15 blocked shots, 12 hits and a plus-6 rating through 13 appearances.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Scores game-winner Saturday
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Jokiharju scored a goal and went plus-2 in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Panthers.
Jokiharju's second-period goal was the game-winner as well as his first point through four contests. The 25-year-old defenseman plays more of a stay-at-home role, often on the top pairing to allow Rasmus Dahlin to roam the ice. Jokiharju has added six shots on net, five blocked shots and four hits this season. He's yet to score more than four goals or produce more than 20 points in a single season.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Re-signs Friday
Rotowire
Jokiharju signed a one-year, $3.1 million contract with the Sabres on Friday.
Jokiharju was a restricted free agent after completing his three-year, $7.5 million deal. He had three goals, 20 points, a plus-14 rating, 92 hits and 106 blocks in 74 outings in 2023-24. He'll likely serve in a top-four capacity during the upcoming campaign.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Chips in with helper
Rotowire
Jokiharju notched an assist, two shots on goal, two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Friday's 5-2 win over the Devils.
Jokiharju had gone six games without a point entering Friday. He's a defensive presence in a top-four role, but that's an assignment that doesn't tend to lead to much offense. On the year, Jokiharju has 16 points, 78 shots on net, 81 hits, 96 blocked shots and a plus-14 rating through 66 appearances.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Big night breaks long slumps
Rotowire
Jokiharju scored a goal and added an assist in a 3-2 overtime win over Minnesota on Saturday.
Jokiharju completed Buffalo's comeback with the overtime winner just 1:29 into the extra frame. His big multi-point performance snapped a 24-game scoreless drought and a 31-game goalless slump. He doesn't put up many points, but his plus-9 rating is second-best on the team. His stability helps the Sabres, but he is better off left on the waiver wire in fantasy leagues.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Game-time decision
Rotowire
Jokiharju (general soreness) is expected to be a game-time decision versus Tampa Bay on Saturday, per Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
Jokiharju managed to participate in practice Friday, but he was the seventh defenseman. He played in the Sabres' last two games after being a healthy scratch for two games a week ago. Jokiharju has two goals, seven assists, 41 hits and 45 blocked shots in 37 appearances this season.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Playing Saturday
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Jokiharju (undisclosed) will play Saturday against Tampa Bay, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News.
Initially ruled a game-time decision, Jokiharju will indeed suit up Saturday when Buffalo hosts the Lightning. The 24-year-old Jokiharju has two goals and nine points through 37 games this season. He'll likely skate on the Sabres' third pairing, with Erik Johnson (upper body) ruled out.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Day-to-day
Rotowire
Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reported Friday that Jokiharju is day-to-day with general soreness.
Jokiharju partook in practice Friday, but he was a seventh defenseman. Jokiharju has averaged 19:32 of ice time in two games this week and managed seven shots on goal Monday versus San Jose. He has two goals, seven assists, 40 shots on goal, 41 hits and 45 blocked shots in 37 games this season.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Set to return Sunday
Rotowire
Jokiharju (illness) is expected to return to the lineup Sunday against Chicago, according to Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550.
Jokiharju sat out the past two games due to an illness. He has produced seven points, 18 shots on goal, 22 blocked shots and 12 hits in 15 outings this season. He should be back alongside Owen Power for Sunday's contest.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Out Friday
Rotowire
Jokiharju (illness) participated in Friday's practice, but he's still expected to miss the evening's game versus Winnipeg.
Jokiharju practicing is an indication that he's close to returning, so it wouldn't be surprising if he plays Sunday against Chicago. He has two goals and seven points in 15 outings this year. When Jokiharju is ready to play, Ryan Johnson might lose his spot in the lineup.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Unavailable Tuesday
Rotowire
Jokiharju (illness) won't play Tuesday against Boston, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports.
Jokiharju will be replaced in the lineup by Ryan Johnson. The 24-year-old Jokiharju has seven points, 18 shots on goal, 22 blocked shots and 12 hits in 15 games this season.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Produces lone goal in loss
Rotowire
Jokiharju scored a goal on two shots and blocked three shots in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Flyers.
Jokiharju saw a season-high 21:03 of ice time Friday with Mattias Samuelsson (lower body) leaving the game early. The goal was Jokiharju's first of the season to go with five assists over 11 contests. If Samuelsson misses time, Jokiharju may be one of the players to pick up extra minutes in a top-four role. The 24-year-old Jokiharju also has 19 blocked shots, 13 shots on net and a plus-5 rating while filling a stay-at-home role on the Sabres' blue line.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Gathers assist
Rotowire
Jokiharju notched an assist and blocked three shots in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Devils.
Jokiharju has quietly stepped up on offense to begin 2023-24, logging four assists over eight games. Two of his helpers have come in the last two contests. The defenseman has added seven shots on net, four hits, 10 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating while playing in a bottom-four role. His career high in points is 19 in 60 outings from 2021-22, but he could challenge that mark if he stays consistent this year.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Good to go
Rotowire
Jokiharju (lower body) participated in practice Thursday after being injured in Buffalo's regular-season finale last season, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
Jokiharju skated with the second group and was paired with Owen Power during the Sabres' first practice of training camp. In 60 games last season, the 24-year-old Jokiharju registered 13 points, 79 shots on goal, 58 blocked shots and 63 hits.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Injured Friday
Rotowire
Jokiharju (lower body) will not return to Friday's game against Columbus.
Jokiharju logged one shot with a minus-1 rating through 2:43 of ice time before exiting Friday's contest. The 23-year-old played 60 games during the 2022-23 campaign, tallying three goals, 13 points and a minus-12 rating.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Lengthy scoring drought
Rotowire
Jokiharju hasn't recorded a point in his past 18 outings.
Jokiharju has been stuck on 10 points since picking up an assist in a 3-1 win over Florida on Feb. 24. In 53 contests this campaign, he has supplied one goal, nine helpers, 71 shots on goal, 49 blocked shots and 56 hits.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Taken off IR
Rotowire
Jokiharju (lower body) was activated from injured reserve Tuesday, per the NHL media site.
Jokiharju appears ready to return from an 11-game absence. He could be back in the lineup as early as Tuesday's tilt with Seattle. Jokiharju has picked up four points, 20 shots on goal, 19 blocks and 16 hits in 16 appearances this season.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Won't play Monday
Rotowire
Jokiharju (lower body) won't play Monday against Philadelphia, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.
Jokiharju, who has been out since Dec. 9, is close to being ready to return. He has registered four points, 20 shots on goal, 19 blocks and 16 hits in 16 appearances this season.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Practicing in regular jersey
Rotowire
Jokiharju (lower body) is practicing in a regular jersey Saturday, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
Jokiharju has missed the last four weeks and this is the first time he is partaking in a full practice. The defenseman had a goal and three assists in 16 appearances prior to sitting out the past nine games.
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Sabres' Henri Jokiharju: Skating Thursday
Rotowire
Jokiharju (lower body) skated on his own Thursday, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.
Jokiharju has been out almost four week. He has missed the last nine games with the injury. Jokiharju has a goal and three assists in 16 games this season.
