Kuokkanen agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Fribourg-Gotteron (Switzerland) on Wednesday.
Kuokkanen played in 57 games for the Devils last season in which he garnered six goals, 11 assists and 64 shots despite averaging just 13:29 of ice time. With New Jersey bringing in John Marino and Brendan Smith along with draftee Simon Nemec, the 24-year-old Kuokkanen likely would have had to settle for a spot in the minors or the press box this year, no doubt factoring into his decision to head overseas.
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Janne Kuokkanen: Waived unconditionally
Rotowire
Kuokkanen (undisclosed) was placed on unconditional waivers by the Devils for the purpose of buying out the final year of his contract Tuesday, Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reports.
The Devils have opened up $1.625 million in cap space for the 2022-23 campaign by buying out Kuokkanen. The 24-year-old Finn drew into 57 games with New Jersey in 2021-22, picking up six goals and 17 points over that span. Kuokkanen was held out of the final game of the season with an undisclosed issue, but there's no reason to believe he's not fully healthy at this stage. He'll be free to sign with a new team once free agency opens Wednesday.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Out Friday
Rotowire
Kuokkanen (undisclosed) will not be available Friday against Detroit, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kuokkanen will miss the final game of the 2021-22 season. He scored 17 points while averaging 13:29 of ice time through 57 games on the year. It's unclear if he's dealing with an injury or if the team is simply looking to get a few other skaters some playing time.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Picks up helper in shootout loss
Rotowire
Kuokkanen notched an assist in Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Kraken.
Kuokkanen earned his second assist in three games when he had the secondary helper on Jesper Boqvist's first-period tally. Kuokkanen has picked up five points in eight games since he returned from wrist surgery. The Finnish winger has 16 points, 58 shots on net and a minus-8 rating in a career-high 51 appearances.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Gathers assist
Rotowire
Kuokkanen notched an assist in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Coyotes.
Kuokkanen set up a Jesper Boqvist tally in the second period. In six games since returning from a wrist injury, Kuokkanen's contributed a goal and three helpers. The Finnish winger has struggled to 15 points, 56 shots on net, 28 hits and a minus-9 rating in 49 appearances this season, but his recent play is a reason to be slightly encouraged that he'll finish the year strong.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Activated off IR
Rotowire
Kuokkanen (wrist) was activated off injured reserve Thursday.
Kuokkanen could return to the lineup as soon as Thursday versus the Bruins. The 23-year-old winger has picked up 11 points through 43 contests this campaign.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Not returning Saturday
Rotowire
Kuokkanen (wrist) won't play Saturday versus the Capitals, Devils team reporter Catherine Bogart reports.
Kuokkanen has been taking full contact in practice since Monday, but he'll apparently need a bit more time before he can play. This likely makes him doubtful for Sunday's game versus the Canadiens as well.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Still out Wednesday
Rotowire
Kuokkanen (wrist) remains out Wednesday versus the Maple Leafs, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kuokkanen unsurprisingly remains out of the lineup for the second half of a back-to-back. He'll likely get in a couple of full-contact practices prior to Saturday's game against the Capitals, which is his next chance to return from an 18-game absence.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Not ready to return
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Kuokkanen (wrist) won't play Tuesday versus the Rangers, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kuokkanen is still on injured reserve, though he's been cleared to practice fully. It's unclear if he'll be ready Wednesday versus the Maple Leafs -- it's more likely he returns Saturday against the Capitals.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Upgrades to full contact
Rotowire
Kuokkanen (wrist) is practicing in a regular jersey Monday, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kuokkanen has shed the non-contact jersey but remains on injured reserve for now. The winger told Stein that his wrist is back to full health, so Kuokkanen could be back in the lineup as soon as Tuesday's game against the Rangers.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Misses road trip
Rotowire
Kuokkanen (wrist) stayed back in New Jersey when the team left on its three-game road trip, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.
Kuokkanen has already been sidelined for the Devils' last 13 contests and will be out for at least three more. Prior to getting hurt, the 23-year-old Finn was mired in a 13-game goal drought during which he registered just 17 shots and four assists. Once cleared to return, Kuokkanen should be in the mix for a bottom-six role.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Lands on IR
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Kuokkanen (wrist) was placed on injured reserve Sunday.
Kuokkanen will miss the next seven days at a minimum, including Sunday's game against Pittsburgh and Tuesday's tilt versus Tampa Bay while dealing with a wrist injury. The 23-year-old winger has tallied 11 points over 43 appearances this season.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Ruled out for Sunday
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Kuokkanen (wrist) is not expected to participate in Sunday's contest against Pittsburgh, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports Saturday.
Kuokkanen has missed the last two games while dealing with a wrist injury and is expected to miss his third consecutive contest, Stein adds. The 23-year-old winger has averaged 13:04 of ice time and distributed three assists over his last 10 appearances.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Grabs helper in loss
Rotowire
Kuokkanen notched an assist in Monday's 6-4 loss to the Maple Leafs.
Kuokkanen has picked up assists in each of his last two outings and three helpers in his last six games. The Finnish winger had a hand in Jesper Boqvist's first-period tally Monday. Kuokkanen is up to 11 points, 43 shots on net, 25 hits and a minus-9 rating through 41 contests this season, taking a step back from the 25-point campaign he produced in 50 appearances in 2020-21. He's logged mainly bottom-six minutes in recent outings.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Playing Saturday on fourth line
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Kuokkanen will play Saturday versus the Hurricanes, Mike Morreale of NHL.com reports.
Kuokkanen will play in a fourth-line role Saturday. He has eight points in 35 contests.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Clears COVID-19 protocols
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Kuokkanen was removed from the NHL's COVID-19 protocols list Monday.
Kuokkanen will return from the protocols only having missed one contest Thursday against the Islanders. The 23-year-old has averaged 13:14 of ice time and tallied eight points over 34 appearances this season.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Placed in COVID-19 protocols
Rotowire
Kuokkanen entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocols Sunday.
Kuokkanen has averaged 13:59 of ice time and tallied two goals and one assist through his last 10 appearances. His entrance into protocols means he is doubtful to appear in Monday's contest against Tampa Bay.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Gathers assist Sunday
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Kuokkanen registered an assist and three shots on goal in Sunday's 4-3 overtime win over the Capitals.
Kuokkanen has found a bit more consistency on offense with two goals and a helper in his last four games. The Finn still hasn't done much overall with eight points, 31 shots on net, 21 hits and a minus-8 rating in 31 appearances this year. Kuokkanen is likely to stick in a third-line role even while Tomas Tatar (COVID-19 protocols) is sidelined.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Adds goal in Devils' win
Rotowire
Kuokkanen chipped in a goal in the Devils' 6-5 overtime win over the Oilers on Friday.
Kuokkanen scored his second goal in his last three games with the one-timer Friday, giving him five on the season. After getting the puck out of his own zone on defense, the 23-year-old zipped a slapshot over the glove of Edmonton goalie Mike Smith to give New Jersey a 4-3 lead with 14:46 remaining in the third period. The lefty-shooting left winger now has two goals across his last three games, snapping a seven-game pointless streak in the process. Kuokkanen has struggled offensively this season. Through 30 games this season he has added just two assists and seven total points. This comes a year after he quietly emerged with eight goals and 17 assists across 50 contests.
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Devils' Janne Kuokkanen: Tips in goal
Rotowire
Kuokkanen scored a goal in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Penguins.
Kuokkanen redirected a Ty Smith shot past Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry for the Devils' first goal of the game. The 23-year-old Kuokkanen snapped a six-game point drought with the tally, and it was his first goal since Nov. 11. The Finn has just six points, 25 shots on net, 19 hits and a minus-7 rating in 28 contests -- his lackluster offense has occasionally earned him a trip to the press box as a healthy scratch this year.
