Juuso Ikonen

June 2019 – The Capitals placed Ikonen on unconditional waivers in May as the player and team mutually terminated the last year of his contract. Ikonen was improperly used in Hershey, routinely plastered to the fourth line, and likely did not feel like he was ever going to crack the Capitals roster. Ikonen is now free to sign back in Europe, Russia or another NHL team. Pat Quinn

March 2019 – Ikonen has rarely been able to jump in to the Bears’ top nine and is routinely stuck playing on the fourth line. He has only 14 points in 50 games as he seems to not be able to move up in to a better spot in the line up. Pat Quinn

December 2018 – Ikonen has missed time twice this season once in early October and later in late November. He does not have many points right now as the Capitals are dealing with a ton of injuries and he has not been up in the line up. Pat Quinn

September 2018 – Ikonen looks to prove himself in North America and become a top nine forward for the Capitals down the road. For now he will play in the AHL and develop there. Ikonen has the skills to develop to play in the NHL but he has to be willing to wait to make the Capitals, and if it takes too long he may go back to Europe. Pat Quinn

May 2018 – Ikonen has been playing several years in the Liiga and most recently the last two seasons in the SHL with first Djurgårdens IF and then Brynäs IF. Ikonen puts up a steady stream of points in a league not knows for many high profile point seasons, as he had 26 points in 49 games last year. He is expected to play for Hershey this upcoming season, and likely the season after, as he signed a two-year contract this May. Ikonen is a small sight player who is a great skater, playmaker, and carries a high IQ on the ice. He will need to gain strength to jump to the next league, but this is a nice risk for the Capitals to take as he could become a solid point producing winger. Pat Quinn