 On July 1, 2011, Joensuu left the Islanders organization as a restricted free agent and signed a two-year deal with Swedish club HV71 of the Elitserien.With the intention of developing his offense as a power forward Joensuu scored 29 points in 50 games during the 2011–12 season.Joensuu, with a clause for release from HV71 to the NHL, opted a return to the Islanders on a one-year deal on June 15, 2012.