Buffalo Sabres extend free agent Henri Jokiharju – NHL Trade Rumors

Another solid year for Henri Jokiharju has earned the Finnish defenseman a new contract through the 2024-25 season, avoiding arbitration for the restricted free agent with the Buffalo Sabres.

JOKI IS BACK! ⚔️

We signed Henri Jokiharju to a one-year contract worth $3.1 million.

Details: https://t.co/ZXWPf8jCpq pic.twitter.com/4OxM3BoMJv

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 5, 2024

It’s a one-year, $3.1 million deal for the 25-year-old, up from the $2.5 million he made on a three-year deal that just expired. He will become an unrestricted free agent after next season.

The right-shot defenseman again posted solid numbers, leading the Sabres in plus-minus with a plus-14 rating, and also finishing fourth on the team in blocked shots with 106. The 6-foot, 200-pounder dished out 92 hits and played 19 minutes a night while recording a career-high 20 points (on three goals and 17 assists).

Jokiharju was a first-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft (29th overall) and was traded to the Sabres in 2019.

He logged the fourth-most minutes per game on the Sabres’ blue line and, over the final two months of the season, was third among Buffalo defensemen in ice time. He fits right into an impressive group that also includes Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Bowen Byram, Mattias Samuelsson and Connor Clifton.

Photo: © Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports