Top Henrik Haapala News
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Henrik Haapala: Signs two-year deal with KHL club
Haapala inked a two-year contract with KHL side Helsinki Jokerit on Friday.
After playing overseas on loan from the Panthers, Haapala will remain in Europe rather than return to North America. In his previous stint with Florida, the winger notched one assist in five NHL contests, while also tallying eight points in 20 minor-league appearances. The 25-year-old Finn has likely played his final NHL game, though a strong showing in the KHL could draw some notice.
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Panthers' Henrik Haapala: Inks European deal
Haapala signed a contract with HC Lugano of Switzerland on Saturday, TSN reports.
The diminutive winger -- he's 5-foot-9, 165 pounds -- signed a two-year deal with the Panthers in May of 2017, but it looks as though he'll be permitted to play overseas instead of reporting to AHL Springfield. Haapala does have professional experience in North America, producing an assist over five games with Florida last season.
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Panthers' Henrik Haapala: Headed back to Finland
Haapala will rejoin his Finnish club Tappara Tampere for the remainder of the 2017-18 campaign, Matthew DeFranks of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Happala had been playing with AHL Springfield, where he notched eights points in 20 games; however, it seems the player and club feel it would better suit his development to return home. The winger has one year left on his entry-level contract and will aim to secure a spot on the 23-man roster ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
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Panthers' Henrik Haapala: Sent back to AHL
Haapala was loaned to AHL Springfield on Tuesday.
Haapala claimed his first career NHL point by notching an assist in his first game Nov. 22 against the Maple Leafs, but was close to silent in four appearances following that and served as a healthy scratch in the Panthers' last two games. The Finn will head back to the minor league to get some more experience and will be on the radar for a recall later in the season.
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Panthers' Henrik Haapala: Called to big club
Haapala was called up to the Panthers on Tuesday.
The Panthers have a matchup with the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, and since Derek MacKenzie and Radim Vrbata (both undisclosed) won't be ready to play, Haapala will be ready in case any other forwards go down. However, once either of those forwards return, expect Haapala to head back to the bus leagues.
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Panthers' Henrik Haapala: Seeing power-play time in camp
Haapala skated on the Panthers' top power-play unit in Friday's practice, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
An old buddy of Panthers star Aleksander Barkov, Haapala signed an entry-level deal with the Panthers back in June and appears to be a promising candidate for the club's Opening Night roster. The 23-year-old broke out in Finland's pro ranks last season, ripping off an assist-heavy 60 points in 51 games, and while he's on the smaller side, he wouldn't be the first diminutive winger to find success in North American hockey. History has shown that smaller players tend to have a bit more of an adjustment period to the NHL level, so instant success may be asking too much, but Haapala clearly has great upside. He already has a preseason goal to his credit, too.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 5-9, 165 lbs |
| Birthplace: Lempaala, Finland |
| Age: 32 |
| Shoots: Left |