Just Pictures
Originally posted on The Rink | By Brennan Vogt | Last updated 6/14/24
The Colorado Avalanche have signed Finnish left winger Jere Innala to a one-year, entry-level contract. The 26-year-old has spent his entire career in Europe this past season. He played for Frölunda HC of the SHL and had 28 points in 42 games. The playoffs are where he really shined, leading all players with 15 points in 14 games.
We have signed forward Jere Innala to a one-year, entry-level contract for the 2024-25 season. pic.twitter.com/47C2GTl14i
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 13, 2024
#GoAvsGo signed 26 y/o F Jere Innala to a 1 year ELC, per @PuckPedia:
$870K cap hit / $950K AAV
$775K salary, $95K SB, $80K GP PB, $82.5K AHL
UFA on expiry, rep’d by Markus Lehto @wassermanhockey https://t.co/aFVFqnmK3n
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) June 14, 2024
What Innala brings to the team
The winger will provide a powerful one-timer in the bottom-six for the Avalanche. Innala loves to set himself up in the faceoff circle for the shot. He offers quickness for centers and defensemen getting out of the defensive zone. Judging from some videos that I have seen, he is great at reading zone exits.
Jere Innala med mål nummer 11 i slutspelet pic.twitter.com/QWJcXQCEU8
— Frölunda HC (@frolunda_hc) April 18, 2024
It is likely that Innala will start his North American career in Loveland with the Colorado Eagles. He will need some time to adjust to the NHL sized ice and the speed of the game. The AHL will give Innala to get through that adjustment period.
Jere Innala #SHLfi #FHC pic.twitter.com/GhtxWfX58i
— SHL Highlights (@SHLHighlightsFI) January 6, 2024
Innala has had a very successful past. In 2021 Innala would help secure the silver medal for Finland in the World Championships. In 2022, he won the Gold Medal playing in the World Championships with Finland. He tallied one goal in four games, but the next year had more of an impact where he had five points in eight games. In 2018–19, Innala won the championship with HPK in the Liiga. The following season, he would lead the league with the most game-winning goals (8).
Jere Innala cuts the lead in half. Finland is back in the game. #MensWorlds #FINSUI @leijonat pic.twitter.com/E0YwMgDsBH
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 21, 2024
Conclusion
Innala is just the start of the off season for the Avalanche and the Eagles. Innala will provide a hard slap shot and a quick snapshot for the bottom-six for the Avalanche or top-six for the Eagles. Jason Polin and Ondřej Palát will have their speed complemented by him for the Eagles, making them a scoring threat on one line together. His shot will be useful in the power play where the Eagles struggled the most. His champion pedigree should be fun to watch.
