Entries with the tag: olli+jokinen

Jokinen Still Waiting

by Paul on 04/03/08 at 07:35 AM
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from the Sun-Sentinel,

And now with the Panthers guaranteed to miss the playoffs for the seventh straight season, Jokinen knows that when he does make it, if ever, he will have waited longer than anyone in NHL history.

Panthers assistant coach Guy Charron, who played for four franchises during his 12 NHL seasons (1969-1981), is No. 1 all-time in most NHL games played (734) without a playoff game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau....

“It’s definitely not a record you want to hold,” Jokinen said. “The last few years at the deadline, I had a chance to go somewhere if I had opened my mouth and said, ‘I want to move.’ But nothing has changed. I want to win here.”

read on

Who Goes

by Paul on 03/28/08 at 05:14 PM
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from the Florida Panthers Blog at the Sun-Sentinel,

It has become quite clear in recent days that Jacques Martin and Olli Jokinen can’t co-exist beyond this season. One of them will be gone this summer, so now owner Alan Cohen has a tough decision to make.

--- He can’t have Martin step down has coach and remain as GM because the GM picks his coach and he’d likely pick someone with a personality similar to his, one that players both in Ottawa and Florida contend doesn’t relate well to them.

--- He either has to keep Martin in both positions or in neither.

continued

Still Going At It

by Paul on 03/28/08 at 08:37 AM
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via the Miami Herald,

Questions about Jokinen’s leadership have surfaced, with coach and general manager Jacques Martin deflecting comment about that Thursday, saying it was something best addressed after the season.

‘’I look back over the past 19 games and he hasn’t scored even strength,’’ Martin said.

“He’s a minus player right now. I think he has to be better and he knows that. If you want to win, your best players have to be your best players. We go a lot of nights with the Stephen Weiss line as the top line.”

Panthers Must Continue To Win

by Paul on 03/20/08 at 06:43 AM
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from the Miami Herald,

Olli Jokinen, the captain, the leading scorer, the name most associated with Panthers hockey, understands the stakes for his team because he agrees this is the ‘’biggest game,’’ of the season.

But he also has to have a clear understanding of what this means to him. Personally.

And that is this: He must keep the Panthers winning and pointed toward the playoffs, because if he doesn’t his reputation as a guy who can’t get his team in the postseason will only mushroom.

‘’Every year you feel like a failure if the team doesn’t make the playoffs,’’ Jokinen said Wednesday. ``All the goals and points—that’s all stuff you want to put away. If the team doesn’t make the playoffs, it’s a failure.

more

Wild Could Use A Player Like Jokinen

by Paul on 02/24/08 at 07:39 PM
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from Russo’s Rants,

Could this team unearth a top player from another team, whether it be a center or a defenseman – maybe a gritty, high-scoring center like Florida’s Olli Jokinen?

After all, a fourth Florida scout watched the Wild play tonight for the fifth time in six games. Like I said a few days ago, I know the Panthers and Wild play this week, but wouldn’t you agree that’s a little excessive pre-scouting?

Of course, I can promise you the Panthers wouldn’t just give Jokinen away. It would have to be a deal that knocks their socks off. They’re under no pressure to trade him — he’s under contract for the next two years at a reasonable price.

more on the Wild…

Jokinen Needs To Be Better

by Paul on 02/23/08 at 08:41 AM
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from the Miami Herald,

With his team reeling, Panthers coach Jacques Martin indicated Friday he wants leading scorer Olli Jokinen to raise his game.

‘’We need more out of people like Olli,’’ Martin said. ``We need more away from the puck. Other people have been contributing.’’…

‘’If it were your skate, you can imagine what you would go through,’’ he said. ``It has definitely been tough. Maybe I haven’t gotten enough rest....”

more on the Panthers…

How About Koivu For Jokinen

by Paul on 02/22/08 at 06:59 PM
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from Ken Campbell of the Hockey News,

Gainey is also believed not to be adverse to trading team captain Saku Koivu, who has only 12 goals this season, is a minus player and could probably use a change of scenery. But Koivu is four years older than Jokinen and far less productive, so Gainey would have to enhance the offer.

Perhaps a package of Koivu, Jaroslav Halak, a first-round pick and a prospect would be enough. Gainey could also include Alexander Perezhogin, who is having a fine season in Russia this year, but whose contract rights are still owned by the Canadiens.

more and some Richards talk too…

Wild Show Interest In Jokinen

by Paul on 02/21/08 at 05:57 PM
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via the Florida Panthers blog at the Sun-Sentinel,

The Minnesota Wild hasn’t tried to hide its interest in Jokinen. And it appears the Panthers are at the very least exploring the idea of trading him there by Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline.

Why?

Panthers director of pro scouting Bill O’Flaherty was at the Wild’s game in Chicago last night. He’s the third different Panthers’ representative to attend a Wild game recently—pro scout Jack Birch and director of player development Duane Sutter are the others—and combined, the trio as attended four of the last six Wild games overall. Perhaps the Panthers want to be very prepared for their Feb. 29 home game against the Wild. Or.......they’re checking out their options for Jokinen.

Jokinen Dealing With It

by Alanah on 02/13/08 at 11:35 AM
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From Pete Pelegrin at the Miami Herald,

The cut left Zednik with a gash nearly two inches long—and Jokinen with an emotional scar.

‘’I was watching the replay a couple of times, and it kind of makes me feel sick,’’ Jokinen said Tuesday after the Panthers’ first practice since the incident. “First, you go through and you want to see what actually happened. . . . It was just a freak accident. Losing blood like that—you never see anything like that. You remember that the rest of your life. You just have to find a way to deal and live with it.’’

more...

added 1:59pm, via the Florida Panthers,

STATEMENT FROM RICHARD & JESSICA ZEDNIK

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Richard and Jessica Zednik today released a statement through Buffalo General Hospital.

Jessica Zednik, wife of the injured Florida Panther said, “On behalf of Richard and our entire family, I want to thank the fans, his teammates, the Panthers and Sabres organizations, plus so many others for their prayers and well wishes. I especially want to thank the medical staff involved in his care and the Buffalo General Hospital for their tremendous support during this difficult time. Richard continues to improve and we are encouraged each day. We thank you for respecting our privacy and would ask everyone to continue to keep Richard in their thoughts over the next few days.”

Update 2:10pm ET: TSN is reporting: “Richard Zednik continues to improve and should be released from hospital within the next 48-72 hours.”

Denis Potvin on Richard Zednik

by Alanah on 02/11/08 at 11:19 AM
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Earlier today, Denis Potvin was on “Hockey This Morning” (NHL Home Ice XM 204) describing the scene last night in Buffalo regarding the horrific injury to Richard Zednik.  Denis was doing color for FSN Florida last night.

Our thanks to Hockey This Morning on NHL Home Ice XM 204 for the providing the audio for KK readers.

Kukla’s Korner.com

Note: details of last night’s events were previously posted here on KK (including video).

Update 2:04pm ET: An update from the Panthers states that Zednik is still in stable condition, but remains in the intensive care unit.

Win & Trade Rumors Die

by Paul on 02/05/08 at 01:52 PM
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from David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail,

So, Panthers head coach and general manager Jacques Martin says, he is still a buyer when it comes to the NHL’s trade deadline on Feb. 26, not a seller. That means star centre Ollie Jokinen, subject to almost as much trade speculation as Leafs’ captain Mats Sundin, is staying put for now.

“I think the bottom line for us is we are three points out of first in our division with one game in hand on both Carolina and Atlanta,” Martin said a few hours before the Leafs and Panthers played on Tuesday night. “We’re in a good position. We control our own fate, we just have to go out and do our jobs."…

“If we keep winning and climbing up the standings, being in playoff position, those kinds of rumours will die,” Jokinen said. “We’ll be buyers, not sellers.

more

Check Your Sources

by Paul on 01/24/08 at 02:40 PM
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from On Frozen Pond,

-- Just got an email from old pal Eklund. He says Olli ticked someone off in the Panthers front office lately and basically demanded a trade. Says Ek: “I would be shocked if he were still a Panther come Feburary 27. And another big name as well.’’

I guess I need to start saying my goodbyes to Olli while he’s still here.

Obviously, I’m being sarcastic here.

And I don’t know what Olli could have done to anger anyone in this organization. He does everything for the Panthers. They ask, Olli does. On ice, off ice. It doesn’t matter. I mean this guy goes to dinners with sponsors. You think he likes that? Think he needs the free meal? No, he’s trying to help out this franchise in any way he can. And he is appreciated for his efforts.

more

added 2:50pm, from Stan Fischler a the Hockey Journal,

Ever since October, there have been rumors that Olli Jokinen would be dealt by Florida. It hasn’t happened and isn’t likely to happen because chief executive officer Alan Cohen remains convinced that his captain is a major asset to the Panthers, which is fine except that some savvy Panthers-watchers believe that the Florida sextet would be a lot better off on the day the club says bye-bye to Olli.

more NHL bits from Stan…

Jokinen Wants To Win In Florida

by Paul on 01/21/08 at 05:37 PM
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George Richards of On Frozen Pond speaks with Olli Jokinen,

“What are you going to say? The team hasn’t been playing well. My name is popping up again. I don’t think if we were in first place, my name would be out there in trade rumors. I’m pretty much used to it. It doesn’t really bother me. My agent called me and asked if I had heard it.

I haven’t been traded in 7 years. I never will be OK with it. I like this place. This is home. It’s not one of those things where you want to move. I don’t believe the grass is any greener on the other side. as a player you are always going to win. To me it’s the easy way out looking elsewhere for other teams or going somewhere and trying to win happiness or win championships. I want to win here and hopefully we make some moves here.”

read on

The Rumors Start Again

by Paul on 01/20/08 at 07:13 PM
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from George Richards at On Frozen Pond,

Well we must be getting close to the trading deadline because more rumors about Olli Jokinen’s unrest in South Florida have surfaced....

Olli is always reportedly going somewhere, yet he never does.

No sport loves its rumors more than hockey, no sport treats pure speculation as gospel more.

Everyone just needs to relax. Olli isn’t going anywhere, at least not in the near future. Not unless JM was offered the sun and the moon, and Olli really wants to leave. I just don’t think either side is all that desperate to make a move like this.

more

We May Have A Problem Here

by Paul on 12/16/07 at 09:19 AM
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from the Miami Herald,

‘’We played so flat, there was no energy or work ethic whatsoever,’’ Jokinen said moments after the players finished a postgame meeting. ``When the game was 4-2, I think some of our guys stopped playing. That shouldn’t happen in this league. That’s a first-place team, but it’s not a lot to ask to work your back off every single shift. Play hard. I didn’t see that tonight, and that’s the scary part.’’

Said Vokoun: ``If you don’t want to play in games like this, you’re in the wrong business. . . . If [players quit], we have a big problem here.’’

more on the loss to the Wings…

Panthers Must Make The Playoffs, Or Else…

by Paul on 11/20/07 at 08:53 PM
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from the Palm Beach Post,

Majority owner Alan Cohen denies it, but a well-placed NHL source said Tuesday that general manager and coach Jacques Martin and captain Olli Jokinen must get the Panthers to the playoffs this season or one or both are likely to be gone.

“Jokinen has got to pick up his productivity and leadership and get this team to the playoffs,” said the source, who deals with the Panthers on a regular basis. “And with an excellent draft next year, Jacques needs a playoff berth after giving Nashville his first- and second-round picks in the (Tomas) Vokoun trade.” Cohen was quick to issue denials when Jokinen trade rumors surfaced last weekend, insisting he would never trade the ninth-year center, and Tuesday he was just as quick to underscore his faith in Martin.

continued

The Jokinen Talk

by Paul on 11/17/07 at 09:57 PM
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from George Richards at On Frozen Pond,

...That said, there is word few people on this team is real happy with how things are going and there has been word of a possible revolt. I’m not kidding about this.

My take: If JM is shopping Olli, not good. He’s the captain and face of this franchise—for better or worse. If this is true, JM needs to come out and say so. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him about it really, but I will in the near future. Probably tonight. Word of Olli being shopped has leaked to the players and it is not, NOT, sitting well in the room.

I don’t think it’s happening....

more

added 10:28pm, more from George Richards,

Spoke to JM, Olli and Alan Cohen. They say absolutely no truth to the rumors that Olli has been shopped.

read on

Jokinen’s Voice Being Heard

by Paul on 09/23/07 at 09:33 AM
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from the Sun-Sentinel,

Jokinen was just 24 when then-coach Mike Keenan made him the Panthers’ captain in 2003. Some wondered whether the easygoing center from Finland was equipped to be a leader. Some still do. Teammates and former teammates say he’s a good one.

But there’s also a perception that he’s a poor — or perhaps incapable — captain. One of the most beloved players in franchise history, retired goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, criticized Jokinen’s leadership abilities on a radio show in July.

“He doesn’t know how to bring people together,” said Vanbiesbrouck, who insinuated Jokinen’s leadership suffers when he tries to be more vocal.

read on

It’s Olli’s Team

by Paul on 09/16/07 at 08:24 AM
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from the Miami Herald,

Olli Jokinen might have served as captain of the Florida Panthers the past three seasons, but today, it appears he truly gets what the ‘’C’’ on his jersey represents.

‘’He’s our leader and the guy everyone looks up to,’’ Nathan Horton said. ``He’s our guy. He leads the way and we follow.’’

‘’This is Olli’s team,’’ Mike Van Ryn said.

continued...And someone please tell my why Jokinen’s name kept popping up in outlandish trade talk this summer!