The AHL’s Toronto Marlies are losing a quality defenseman from the past few years. According to a team announcement , the SHL’s Linköping HC has signed Mikko Kokkonen to a one-year contract for the 2025-26 season.
Kokkonen was drafted with the 84th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs from the Finnish Liiga’s Jukurit program. During his draft season, he scored three goals and 19 points in 56 games with a -16 rating. While the scoring may not be impressive at face value, he tied for the team lead among defensemen, which is notable for one of the youngest players on the roster.
His offensive production declined in the subsequent two seasons, recording four goals and 20 points in 89 games, along with a -23 rating from the start of the 2019-20 season to the end