Story Summary
Tappara defenceman Jyrki Jokipakka has reportedly accepted a contract below his market value to remain with the Liiga club. The 35-year-old’s newly announced two-year extension is said to pay €170,000 per season from next season, with performance bonuses also included.
Esko Seppänen said Jokipakka negotiated only with Tappara and did not test the wider market. Seppänen attributed the reported discount to the player’s desire to continue playing for Tappara and live in Tampere.
Jokipakka was among Liiga’s leading defencemen last season, recording 13 goals and 31 assists in 67 combined regular-season and play-off appearances. He has one goal and two assists through seven games this season.
Key Facts
- Jyrki Jokipakka’s reported two-year Tappara extension was announced on Friday.
- The deal is reportedly worth €170,000 per season from next season, plus performance bonuses.
- Esko Seppänen said Jokipakka negotiated exclusively with Tappara rather than inviting offers from other clubs.
- Seppänen said Jokipakka accepted less than his market value because he wants to play for Tappara and live in Tampere.
- Jokipakka posted 13 goals and 31 assists in 67 regular-season and play-off games last season.
- This season, the 35-year-old defenceman has three points, consisting of one goal and two assists, in seven games.
IHM Discussion
The reported terms place the focus on continuity rather than a bidding process. Jokipakka’s production last season was substantial for a defenceman, while his early return of three points in seven games shows that he remains involved offensively this term.
The important qualification is that the financial detail and the account of negotiations are reported rather than confirmed by Tappara in the available information. Still, Seppänen’s account presents the extension as a player-led choice to stay with the club, not the result of competing offers.
Why It Matters
Keeping Jokipakka on a two-year agreement would give Tappara continuity around a defenceman who delivered 44 points across last season’s regular season and play-offs. The reported salary structure also includes performance bonuses, linking part of his earnings to future results.