Olli’s future still in doubt!
June 12th, 2008 by FrankLet me start out by apologizing for not posting in awhile. Time has been a premium and with virtually nothing happening with this nickel and dime team I haven’t had too much to say.
That being said, let’s begin with and look at the continuing drama regarding Olli Jokinen, and the rumours that just will not go away.
Almost anywhere you look, and anyone that you listen to indicates that there are a number of teams interested in the Panthers # 1 player/center, with Calgary for obvious reasons (Mike Keenan) and Vancouver being the front runners. There was also a blurb from a local writer here in South Florida indicating that Minnesota was in the running. It was revealed to Panther fans recently that at the trade deadline this year the Panthers offered Olli to Vancouver for the Sedin sisters! This was quickly shot down by Dave Nonis, and I am not sure whether that would have saved his job or not, but if it had gone through, I would have hoped that Jacques Martin would have lost both of his!
When the Panthers organIzation held a town hall meeting shortly after the season, majority owner Alan Cohen who continues to display his lack of knowledge about hockey as well as running a team indicated that while he wants Olli on the team, he cannot protect him any longer. The team needs to do what it takes to improve and if dealing Olli improves the team, then it is a possiblity. Lord, help us! The Minnesota rumour was Mark Parrish and a draft pick for Olli as a good starting point. Yikes! I am not a GM, but even I wouldn’t make that trade.
It seems that the longer this drama continues the more negative the feelings between the Panthers and Olli are going to get. His agent Mark Gandler has commented recently by saying no matter what we can’t control this and come the start of the season Olli will be playing somewhere and for a team that wants him. To me that seems like a comment coming from someone who feels that his client is no longer wanted, and is prepared to move on.
All of this has created some additional concerns about what the Panthers are going to do and what direction they are going to take. The hard core fans that we have down here, and there are a few are getting tired of the mickey mouse way that this has been handled. Much like the Mats Sundin situation in Toronto, they are causing alot of rumbling by doing this and for a team that has not improved in three seasons with Uncle Jack behind the bench, we are all concerned about what’s next. If I could hold my breath long enough I would, but all I can hope for at this point is that I am not holding anything besides a feather when I see what comes across the ticker or whatever is announced in fear that my flat screen TV will take the brunt of that object.
Let me be clear. I do not want the Panthers to trade Olli Jokinen. He is the face of the team, the leader (accomplished or not) and one of the only legitimate stars that they have. No offense to Tomas Vokoun, but his time will come…if he’s here long enough. However, for Olli’s sake maybe he should be given the opportunity to go to a team that that has a chance to make the playoffs, and allows him to step up his game to another level. To be surrounded by players that take this game seriously and have the desire and determination to win every night!
I feel that as long as the Panthers continue with the “Youth Movement”, Jokinen will not get much better than he is right now. And the playoffs are no closer now than they were when Duane Sutter was coaching!
Which briefly brings me to my next topic to be covered in more detail next time. The Panthers have yet to hire a coach, however JM has indicated that A) he’s not in a hurry, B) he has however narrowed down his list, C) there’s plenty of time and finally D) who can do this for next to nothing? Oh, that’s my take on it cause without a doubt an inexperienced head coach is going to come on board.
Let’s take a brief look at potential coaching candidates:
1) Bob Hartley– my first choice! Exactly what this lazy disinterested group needs.
2) Pat Burns–would like to see him get another chance somewhere
3) John Tortorella– has a Stanley Cup on his resume, but like Hartley, and Keenan before, too demanding, at least that’s what they’ll say.
4) Perry Pearn– Jacques assistant with the Senators. Enough said!
5) Paul Maurice– Nice Guy, wrong fit.
6) Randy Cunneyworth– will come cheap and has no NHL coaching experience, but JM knows him, and he currently coaches the Panthers AHL team. Might as well promote from within.
As long as we’re at it, I would like to throw my name into the hat! What the heck! If I surround myself with very capable assistants who have an extensive knowledge of the game it could work. I like to see an uptempo game with an aggressive forecheck, and I would expect my players to finish their checks, and follow their shot on net! I have no experience in coaching Hockey other than from my seat in the arena, or my chair at home, but I have been watching alot of hockey for alot of years, and as long as we aren’t going to make the playoffs for a few more seasons, how bad could I be? I may be able to surprise everyone. Let’s be realistic, if the Panthers can put a former cab driver, John Torchetti in as head coach, why not me? All I ask for is $250,000 a year and pay for my meals, hotel, airfare and a few nice suits.
Cause at that price you can bet that the guy that gets the job next probably won’t be making much more.
I hope I am wrong!
Thanks for reading.
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