Now that we’re affiliated with the Florida Panthers, we’re going to spend the next several weeks introducing you to some of their prospects that could end up on the Checkers’ roster at some point. Now up: Juho Lammikko.
Juho Lammikko is a 24-year-old forward who rejoined the Florida Panthers organization by signing a one-year, two-way contract last month. Originally a third-round draft pick of the Panthers in 2014, he spent three seasons playing with AHL Springfield and the Panthers before opting to go back to his native Finland for the 2019-20 campaign. Though the Panthers never lost control of his NHL rights, his new contract clears the way for an eventual return to North America.
WHAT KIND OF PLAYER IS HE?
A two-way center with respectable scoring totals at the AHL level (57 points in 143 games), he primarily anchored the fourth line and killed penalties during an extended NHL stint two seasons ago. Of his 20 career AHL goals, five came while shorthanded.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST SEASON?
After recording just six assists in his first NHL 40 games with the Panthers in 2018-19, he enjoyed an extremely productive return to his home country by scoring 51 points in 57 games with Karpat in Finland’s top division. He earned the league’s Player of the Month award in October and ranked second on the team in scoring behind Edmonton prospect Jesse Puljujarvi.
WHAT'S HE DOING NOW?
Lammikko is currently playing with Metallurg of the KHL, where he has posted eight points (6g, 2a) in 22 contests.
WHAT’S A FUN FACT ABOUT HIM?
He won gold medals with Finland at the 2016 World Junior Championship and the 2019 World Championship.
