Flåbuse Jesse Joensuu Returns to New York Islanders on 1-Year Deal

Turns out, HV71 was right to worry about losing Jesse Joensuu back to the NHL.

The New York Islanders have agreed on terms to bring restricted free agent winger Jesse Joensuu back from a one-year stint with the Swedish Elite League team.

Joensuu was qualified by the Islanders last summer -- a move that retained his rights -- but he elected to return to the East side of the Atlantic for a pro season that clearly served him well.

Newsday's Arthur Staple reports the contract has a Euro out clause (likely similar to what P.A. Parenteau had when he first signed with the Islanders). So with a one-way, one-year deal, Joensuu re-enters the equation as a possible winger in the NHL lineup, and if it doesn't work out he can flee back to Europe.

The 2006 NHL draft pick had a big year with HV71 -- his biggest in top-flight competition, at age 24 -- and was rewarded with a spot and playing time on Finland's World Championship team, where he scored a particularly memorable (and painful, for Okposo and friends) goal. Nice shot, not exceptionally fleet skater, but you see his size and skills and hope he can put it all together here

Was his SEL internship enough for regular NHL work? Enough to upgrade the Islanders? To put a little flåbuse in the lineup? Tune in this October.