Minor signings: forwards Blair Jones and Lauri Tukonen

Center Blair Jones, who played last season for AHL Norfolk, and wing Lauri Tukonen, who played in Finland, were signed Thursday to one-year contracts.

 Jones, 22, had 20 goals, 54 points and 61 penalty minutes in 80 games. Tukonen, 22, acquired from the Stars in the Andrew Hutchinson deal, had eight goals and 21 points in 35 games combined for Ilves Tampere and Lukko Rauma.

Comments

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Of what I saw a couple of years ago. Jones has a cannon of a shot that will take you by surprise.

[Don in St. Pete]

Tukonen, has had a career sidetracked by injury. He attacks the net with reckless abandon, and loves to venture into the high traffic areas. But his habit of playing a little out of control has seen him get injured on numerous occasions, expecially shoulder injuries. Perhaps he's learned to play under control while still crashing the net, only time will tell. Blair Jones is probably destined to be the checking line center to replace Halpern after this season. He has some size, can score, win faceoffs and has a decent 2 way game. I honestly don't see him developing into a top 6, but if he could step in a replace Halpern that would be great.

[Mike13]

It seems strange to me that 2 teams gave up on Tukonen as quickly as they did. The kid is only 22 and has been passed around for next to nothing. Were the Kings THAT wrong when they spent their 11th overall pick on him? I suppose it's possible that they made an Alexeev-type goof, but I for one, hope he can turn his career around and turn some heads during camp...

[Rob]

Looks like a couple of decent signings for the Lightning and Admirals. Both have potential to make the sep-up, but are likely to get some more AHL experience first and foremost.

Some more info on Lauri Tukonen and speculation on a big name forward signing can be found here: http://lightning.roblogg.com/

[ZERO]

Cool. I liked what I saw from Jones when he was up with the Lightning a couple years ago.