The Winnipeg Jets have signed 21 year old undrafted Finnish forward Joona Luoto from Tappara of the Liiga to a three year entry level contract. According to the Jets, Luoto has played with both Patrik Laine and Kristian Vesalainen. He played with Laine at the youth levels at Tappara and Vesalainen internationally.
It does not seem clear as to why the Jets signed Luoto. He scored 16 points in 58 games last year including eight goals. He has never been a high scorer and he is a forward, where the Jets have quite a few talented players. Outside of that Luoto should be an AHL player next season; possibly in the Manitoba Moose’s bottom six. His contract will do nothing to affect the cap and it only takes up one spot on the fifty contract list.
The Jets signed a player from Finland whom there is little information available for, but he knows Patrik Laine and Kristian Vesalainen. He is a forward who has never appeared to score many points, but has been good enough to play internationally for Finland at least once. It is not clear how Luoto will be used in the organization, but the AHL is the most likely place. Fin.
