One of the Bruins' recent trade acquisitions, defenseman Henri Jokiharju looking for a smooth transition - The Boston Globe
Jokiharju has joined Nikita Zadorov on Boston’s new top defensive pairing, and they've showed some quick chemistry.
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Casey Mittelstadt arrived from Colorado in the Coyle deal while Henri Jokiharju came from Buffalo in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round draft pick.
Mittelstadt addressed the need for a playmaking, 200-foot center, while Jokiharju was desperately needed to fill out a blue line corps that lost Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm to injury and Carlo to the Maple Leafs.
Mittelstadt has made an immediate impact with points in his first three games as a Bruin before being held off the scoresheet in Saturday’s 6-2 loss to the Lightning at TD Garden.
A seven-year veteran, Jokiharju should be a familiar name to Bruins fans as he’s been with the Sabres for the last six. He has joined Nikita Zadorov on Boston’s new top defensive pairing. The two have showed some quick chemistry.
“I think we kind of keep the game simple and obviously he’s a great defenseman in this league, so for sure every team wants a player like him on their team, so it’s just really nice to play with him,” said Jokiharju, who had an assist on Marat Khusnutdinov’s goal against Tampa Bay.
A looming free agent, Jokiharju had a sense that he might be on the move.
“I was there a long time, and [we were] really trying to get to the playoffs as a group. And this year, especially for me, kind of went sideways, didn’t have that much ice time out there,” he said. “So, I think it was kind of that they don’t offer me the extension, and I think that’s just business is business, so there’s no hard feelings, but it’s great to be here.”
The adjustment to his environs was made easier with the arrival of Mittelstadt. The two were Sabres teammates for five seasons.
“That was a big helper for sure,” Jokiharju said.
The rest of the Bruins also embraced him quickly.
“They treat me really good in the locker room,” said Jokiharju. “Some great guys here, so it kind of eased coming in. It’s kind of weird to start for myself, especially coming from Finland. But guys took me in really great and made it as easy as possible.”
It’s a small sample size, but Bruins coach Joe Sacco has liked what Jokiharju has brought to the table.
“What’s stood out has been his ability to help us come out of our zone cleaner. He has the ability to make some good first passes on our breakouts and coming out of our D-zone coverage. That’s something that can help our group and alleviate some of the pressure in the defensive zone,” said Sacco. ”And then I think his play at the offensive blue line has been good, when we go low to high. We’ll continue to work with his coverage in our end zone. We have new players right now who are trying to adhere to how we play, and the coverage is different for a lot of the guys. That may take a little bit more time. It’s an adjustment for him.”
While there’s been no talk of an extension in Boston, Jokiharju is open to discussion prior to free agency opening July 1. For now, however, he is embracing the excitement of being in a new place.
“A hundred percent. Lots of energy and a new life, hockey-wise,” he said.
