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Can Jarkko Olsen Turn His Career Around?


Molholt

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A highly touted prospect once suited up for the now defunct Kolari Panthers. His name was Jarkko Olsen, and he was rapidly moving up the VHL Draft boards. He was the marquee player for a loaded Panther team that featured future VHLers Mikey Blade, David Collier, Shane Baker, Evgeny Namestnikov, and Sebastian Ball Jr. Olsen competed heavily for the Sakic Trophy, awarded to the best player in the VHLM. Lucas Smith took home the trophy, with 106G 65A 171P +62 in a largely noncompetitive season for his team. Olsen lost out on the award, but his numbers were still impressive 79G 75A 154P +101, having 17 less points than Smith but nearly 40 points better on his +/-. He was drafted by the Riga Reign, and would go to the VHL in Season 34.

 

In his rookie season, Jarrko had 17G, 29A, and 46P, a respectable start but not overly impressive. He was shipped off to the Davos Dynamo, where he led the team in points and had a much better sophomore season with 37G, 54A, and 91P. That would be the start of a downfall for Olsen, the last season that he improved upon his statistics. In season 36, still with the Dynamo, Olsen put up 27G, 50A, and 77P. He was a productive player, and the Dynamo brought home a championship, Jarkko's first. Then season 37, where Jarkko would experience his worst year yet, down below even his rookie season production with 18G, 20A, and 38P. The Dynamo would lose in the cup finals, and while the blame can't be solely placed on Olsen, his downward decline in production hasn't helped.

 

That brings us to season 38, the first time in which Olsen has actually depreciated in terms of ability. Jarkko has been declining in productivity during what should have been the prime of his career, he is now approaching veteran status and his physical skills are deteriorating. He will need to work even harder to be able to improve. So, Is it too late to turn around his decline? Season 38 will be a huge point on how Olsen's career will be looked back on. He has an opportunity to make his best years come during the end of his career, turn his career around now and even make a run at most improved this season. He could also continue to decline, and essentially have played one good season before his skills failed him and led to 6 or 7 below average seasons. This season could determine how the rest of his career plays out, or if he even has one.

 

Can Jarkko turn it around, or did the end already start three seasons ago?

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