Position: Defenseman
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 236 lbs
Birthdate: June 7th, 1983 (28 years old)
Birthplace: Liptovsky Mikulas, Czechoslovakia (Present day Slovakia)
Acquired: Signed Free Agent, 2010
2010-2011 Team: New York Islanders
2010-2011 Stats: 46 GP - 4 G - 13 A - 17 P - 30 PIM
2011-2012 Team: New York Islanders
Team Role: Bottom Pairing D-Man
Last year: Signed to a 1 year deal by the Islanders in the 2010 offseason, a usually overlooked Jurcina provided a pleasant stability on defense. Originally known for not using his body as much as he could, Jurcina stepped up his physical game when he returned from injuries and provided positional play that was above average for a lower pairing D-man. He contributed 125 hits to the team and ended up being a major physical presence that the Islanders so dearly needed. However, groin and hip injuries ended his year early, leaving him with only 46 games played for the season. Jurcina also re-signed with the Islanders for another year at $1.6M, a hefty raise from his $1M the year prior.
Expectations: Jurcina could be filling in any role from the top slot with Streit to pairing with Hamonic or MacDonald on the 2nd to returning to his chemistry with Mark Eaton on the 3rd pairing, as it should be. Jurcina, when healthy, provides us a stable defensive force who can also contribute offensively with his laser shot and smooth outlet passing. Health has been an issue for "Juice" the past two seasons, but a healthy offseason should help bring back some stability in his medical track record. If Juice continues his physical play, the Islanders will have some great snarl in the back end once more.
Projections: GP 64 - 6 G - 14 A - 20 P
Thoughts:
AT: Healthy Islanders defenseman? But we let go of Radek Martinek! Jokes aside, Jurcina is a very solid player who was underrated for years on defensively stacked Boston and Washington teams, and is finding a solid place in the lineup on the Islanders. His offensive skills already adding to the abilities of MacDonald, Streit and Hamonic are going to help spread out the O a bit more this year, as long as everyone stays healthy. Seems like such a dangerous and taboo word to say nowadays as if not to jinx anything. We know what we have with Juice and he's doing job of taking advantage of his opportunity here. He's still young at 28 and if he provides 60+ games and the same physical play he provided last year, could be re-signed to another contract. Once again, all boils down to health in the end. Anyone got a band-aid?
CH: Jurcina finally broke out last season after a tough season in 2009-10 where he was sidelined for almost half the season playing for the Capitals and Blue Jackets. Unfortunately, he was hurt a lot last year as well, so questions regarding his durability remain. However, he proved that he is a big, mobile, two-way defenseman who can use his body in front of the net and along the boards. He will never be a big hitter, such as Brendan Witt, but he is certainly more physical than he gets credit for. Jurcina's extension was well deserved, and he will play a huge part for the Islanders this upcoming season. He just needs to stay healthy, and if he does, it's not unreasonable to think another extension may be on the way for a defenseman just entering his prime.
