January 20, 2008
Jokinen on the move? TheFourthPeriod.com
According to several reports, the Florida Panthers have been quietly shopping captain Olli Jokinen
Jokinen, who is under contract through the 2009-10 season, has been the subject of numerous trade rumors over the past few seasons and it's believed he doesn't entirely get along with head coach/GM Jacques Martin.
During Saturday's second-intermission segment "Satellite Hotstove" on CBC, panelist Al Strachan claimed Jokinen "hates" playing for Martin and would welcome a trade.
It has been widely reported that the Panthers and Calgary Flames have been discussing a deal involving Jokinen and Alex Tanguay, who has a no-trade clause.
Panthers owner Alan Cohen has stated on various occasions that he does not want to trade his captain.
Well, it didn't really take long for Jokinen trade rumors to truly heat up again. Two seasons ago, on the day of the trade deadline, the Panthers signed Jokinen to a four-year extension. At this time last season, speculation was running wild over a possible trade. Now, the heat is on again and we'll have to wait and see if it actually goes down. The Maple Leafs were rumored to have an interest, but a Panthers official told a source there wasn't any truth to it. Mike Keenan and the Flames would love to have Jokinen, but it might take more than Tanguay. The next few weeks should be very interesting.
