Saku Maenalanen Gets One More "Last Chance" at NHL with PTO
At that time, one year ago, after signing a one-year, two-way deal with the Winnipeg Jets, Maenalanen said, “I wanted to play in the NHL. This is my last chance. I’m 28 years old. That’s why I’m here. I’m a much better player. That’s why I went back to Europe to play games, and now I’m ready."
But in 64 games with the Jets, mostly on the 4th line, he recorded just 10 points, and played only 10 minutes per night. Did he make good on his "last chance"?
It seems that Maenalanen, now, 29, will have one more last chance, as the Colorado Avalanche have signed him to a PTO for this month's training camp.
Former #NHLJets forward Saku Maenalanen has signed a professional tryout with the Colorado Avalanche.
— Carter Brooks (@CBrooksie84) September 8, 2023
The 29-year-old had four goals and 10 points in 64 games for Winnipeg last season.
Maenalanen played his first year in the NHL in 2018-19 at the age of 24 with the Carolina Hurricanes, managing only 8 points in 34 games, and spending the rest of his time with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, where he put up 14 points in 31 games.
Iin 2021-22 with Karpat in the Finnish Elite League (Liiga), he finally put up the kind of numbers to catch an NHL team's attention, with 13 goals and 41 points in 47 games. But even after struggling last year with the Jets, hasn't given up on his North American dream just yet.
Photo: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
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