Panthers Trade Rumors

"Martin could select an NHL guy with years of experience such as a Pat Burns or, should they become available, San Jose's Ron Wilson or Vancouver's Alain Vigneault. Any of those three would put the team in the hands of a competent leader, letting Martin focus almost completely on his GM duties."

"The only man who has coached the Panthers to a victory in the playoffs is interested in returning to his old job. Doug MacLean, who guided them to the 1996 Stanley Cup Final in his first season with Florida, said Tuesday he would like to return to coaching and hopes to talk to General Manager Jacques Martin about the Panthers' vacancy."

"Panthers owner Alan Cohen was adamant Olli Jokinen would not be traded last season. Is he as sure now? ''I'm a big Olli fan. But supporting him unconditionally wasn't good for him, Jacques [ Martin], the team or our playoff aspirations.'' (The Jokinen camp won't be surprised if he's dealt.)"

"Jacques Martin still has things to iron out, but he said Tuesday he would return to the Florida Panthers as general manager... Randy Cunneyworth, the coach of the Panthers' minor-league affiliate in Rochester, N.Y., is looked at as a strong candidate for the job, although Martin said a number of candidates could come from teams still playing in the postseason."

"Jacques Martin said Tuesday he has decided to remain the Panthers' general manager and choose his successor as coach."

"As another day ticked by Monday without a decision from Jacques Martin about his future, some NHL sources believed Martin was buying time while investigating the possibility of finding a coaching job outside Florida... It has been speculated that Waddell's first choice would be Peter Laviolette, if the Carolina coach is dismissed after failing to lead the Hurricanes to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons."

"Panthers majority owner Alan Cohen said Sunday he is hopeful that Jacques Martin will accept his offer to stay on as the team's general manager - and that if he does, the choice of the next coach "would be totally up to Jacques.""

"Former Panthers coach Doug MacLean, out of the league this season, said Saturday he's interested in the job, but a reunion would be surprising."

"Jacques Martin has not informed the Panthers whether he plans to remain with the organization as general manager, although the team expects an answer sometime next week."

"Jacques Martin is no longer the Panthers coach, but he has been given the option to remain as general manager, team owner Alan Cohen said Friday."

"In yet another strange turn of events for a franchise that has had more than its share of them, Panthers majority owner Alan Cohen in effect yanked both the coaching and general manager jobs away from Jacques Martin on Friday, then offered the GM role back to him. Cohen said a coach will be hired after Martin decides whether to accept the front-office job."

"Now the question is whether Cohen has gone far enough by stripping Martin of only one title, and giving him a few days to decide whether to keep the other, more important one. It's a question that Cohen should be considering quite carefully. "

" Pat Quinn... Last coached Toronto Maple Leafs 2005-06... Bob Hartley... Fired as Atlanta Thrashers coach six games into 2007-08 season"

"Mats Sundin won't keep the Maple Leafs waiting all summer before declaring his playing status for 2008-09... Traded Toronto enforcer Wade Belak, an unrestricted free agent this summer, would consider returning to the Leafs but wonders if the next general manager will be game."

"Jokinen has two more years left on his contract although more rumors have surfaced that he could be dealt this summer. Cohen has said on numerous occasions that will not happen ``as long as I'm the owner.''"

"Jacques Martin indicated Monday that he wouldn't oppose giving up one of his two titles as Panthers general manager and coach if majority owner Alan Cohen decides he wants that."

"Martin said he discussed acquiring star defenseman Brian Campbell from Buffalo with Sabres GM Darcy Regier at the trade deadline. Campbell, who was traded to San Jose instead, still can become an unrestricted free agent if unsigned by July 1... Colorado defenseman John-Michael Liles, who had six goals and 26 assists this season, also could become an unrestricted free agent."

"Bouwmeester led the NHL in ice time (27:28), had a career-high 15 goals and is perceived by many to be approaching stardom. It will be another year before he becomes an unrestricted free agent, but the team needs to avoid flirting with that possibility."

"Enforcer Wade Belak has made no secret of his enjoyment of living in South Florida, but it's not only the weather. Belak said he likes the dynamic the Panthers have and he would like to continue being a part of it. Belak, an unrestricted free agent this summer, said he wants to re-sign with the Panthers."

"Gary Green of the NHL Network and longtime analyst Bill Clement believe the Panthers, who missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season, need changes everywhere from the coaching staff to management to the roster."

"Wade Belak and Montador, versatile defensemen who have also played on the wing, said they'd like to stay with the Panthers. Both are set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Montador, acquired in December 2005 from Calgary in exchange for Kristian Huselius, noted "there's nothing more satisfying" than being a part of a non-playoff team that develops into one."

"Coach and general manager Jacques Martin suggested Tuesday that Chad Kilger might be considering retirement before ever playing for the Panthers. Kilger, acquired Feb. 26 for a third-round draft pick, has yet to report to the Panthers and has been suspended without pay since March 1."

"Earlier this season, when trade rumors first circulated, Jokinen joked that if the Panthers missed the playoffs, he would probably be shipped out. Jokinen joined the Panthers in the summer of 2000, not long after the team made what remains its latest postseason appearance. Jokinen has taken blame for the Panthers failures and continues to do so. Whether he will after these final four games remains to be seen."

"Olli Jokinen admitted as much after losses to Tampa Bay and Atlanta this week that all but officially eliminated the Panthers from playoff contention, saying his poor play in those games were responsible for the outcomes... Panthers coach and general manager Jacques Martin, who will be considering whether to keep Jokinen in the offseason, did not jump to Jokinen's defense."

"Panthers coach and General Manager Jacques Martin expressed disappointment Friday with the season-long performance of captain Olli Jokinen, raising questions about his future with Florida."

"There are several coaches on the hotseat as the regular season winds down; as many as 15 could be looking for work if their teams don't make the playoffs or underachieve in the post-season... There have been no contract talks between the Senators and Wade Redden, but that doesn't mean there won't be before he's set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1."

"Jacques Martin said Tuesday it's out of his control whether he remains the Panthers' coach and general manager or is relieved of one or both duties after this season, but he still feels the franchise is moving in the right direction."

"Jacques Martin says he's excited about the future of the Florida Panthers, and he expects to be a part of it. There has been speculation that Martin, Florida's coach and general manager, might not return in one or either of his capacities next season. But with the team riding a franchise-record-tying seven-game winning streak, Martin might be off the hot seat."

"But if GM Kevin Lowe wants a nuclear deterrent, he'll have a few alternatives this summer. Wade Belak of the Florida Panthers will be an unrestricted free agent. Ditto for Jody Shelley of the San Jose Sharks, Darcy Hordichuk (Nashville Predators) and Todd Fedoruk (Minnesota Wild)."

"The trade deadline has passed and Olli Jokinen is still a Panther and Jacques Martin is still coach and general manager. The question is, for how long?"

" Jacques Martin shouldn't buy any real estate in Florida in the next couple of months. After being blocked by Florida owner Alan Cohen from dealing centre Olli Jokinen at Tuesday's NHL trade deadline, the Panthers' GM-coach probably needs to make the playoffs to save his job... You can bet the Bruins will try to sign Pittsburgh RW Marian Hossa as a free agent in the summer. He is close friends with his fellow Slovak, D Zdeno Chara, and would make a nice fit in Boston."

"I'm not sure how Jacques Martin survives this, and it has gotten harder and harder to make the case that he should."

"Over the next six weeks, Martin has to do something productive for the first time in his three years to prove he should continue on as coach and general manager of the franchise. If it really is a franchise. If this team has any standards at all."

"Someone who plays in Florida is at or near the top of every team's wish list with the NHL trade deadline arriving at 3 p.m. today. But it's not Olli Jokinen."

"The chances of center and captain Olli Jokinen being traded are slim, regardless of how strained his relationship with coach and General Manager Jacques Martin or recent struggles on the ice."

"The Panthers need to make a decision: Are they buyers or sellers? Do the Panthers, six points out of first place in their division, close the gap enough to make a run with 17 games left, or is it time to pack up and look to the future? Speculation continues that Florida will trade captain and leading scorer Olli Jokinen by Tuesday's"

"It's believed the Ducks, Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild all have made a pitch for Florida captain Olli Jokinen, who is being shopped. The Stars have been among the most aggressive because co-GM Brett Hull wants to make a big move at the deadline. Jokinen might not be opposed to a deal... Talk won't go away that Calgary left winger Alex Tanguay will be dealt to Montreal for right winger Michael Ryder... There has been little talk about Pittsburgh Penguins left winger Ryan Malone, who's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1."

"The Ducks have been heavy players in just about every rumor emanating from seemingly everywhere in this out-of-control Internet age, with everyone from Mats Sundin to Olli Jokinen to Rob Blake supposedly being headed to Anaheim at one time or another. Reality is something else again."

"Those comments make acquiring Florida's Olli Jokinen seem unlikely. But perhaps Atlanta's Bobby Holik or Columbus' Sergei Fedorov or Michael Peca are possibilities. Belanger believes that once today's deadline passes, nervous Wild players will relax, which should improve their play."

"Maybe a sign that the Wild continues to be interested in Florida Panthers center Olli Jokinen? Panthers scout Phil Myre took in Sunday's game. Myre is the fourth Panthers scout to attend five of the past six Wild games."

"With the league's trade deadline near, other teams might have noticed how Steve Montador is doing a lot of things for the Panthers and expressed some interest."

"Florida's Olli Jokinen, Atlanta's Marian Hossa and Tampa Bay's Dan Boyle are among the dozen or so biggest names rumored to be on the move. Hossa and Boyle will be unrestricted free agents this summer, meaning their teams will have nothing to show if they leave. "

"Marian Hossa. Brad Richards. Olli Jokinen. Alex Tanguay. Mats Sundin. Five forwards with spectacular star power, and all are being shopped. Rumors are running rampant, but it'll be interesting to see which players are moved by Tuesday's trade deadline."

"While the Ducks and Wings are waiting to see if Mats Sundin will agree to be dealt, sources say Anaheim GM Brian Burke has made a pitch to the Florida Panthers for Olli Jokinen and has also likely spoken with the Tampa Bay Lightning about Vaclav Prospal... The Calgary Flames are interested in Sundin, but don't want to pay the outrageous asking price ."

"After season-long talk of tension, Martin must now count on Jokinen to help save his job, even if the captain does not count him as an ally."

"Interest continues to rise in captain Olli Jokinen. With the Panthers struggling and Jokinen minus-2 each of the past two games, coach and General Manager Jacques Martin is perhaps more willing than ever to make a trade for the right offer. "

"Calgary Flames forward Alex Tanguay's name has popped back up on the market with five days left before the trade deadline. Tanguay would have to waive his no-trade clause, but there's talk he could be sent to the Habs for Montreal winger Michael Ryder. It's believed the Panthers have also talked to the Flames about Tanguay... The Atlanta Thrashers would like a player and No. 1 pick for right winger Marian Hossa. The players being offered by numerous teams have been well publicized, but some wondered yesterday if Ottawa GM Bryan Murray might be willing to move defenceman Andrej Meszaros."

" I don't believe they have any interest in Sundin or Richards, but they love Olli Jokinen's age (29) and contract (just over $5 million for the next two seasons). I'm not sure what the going rate for Hagman is right now, but it can't be more than $2 million."

"Marian Gaborik, who is earning his star status this year, will become a free agent after next season. That means if the Wild wants to avoid being Johan Santana-ized, it will have to trade him this summer if it can't sign him long-term, and perhaps only a long playoff run would persuade Gaborik to agree to that kind of a deal. So maybe this is the time to make a run, to try to trade for Florida's Olli Jokinen, or any other skilled center."

"Forsberg was Plan A. Risebrough now moves on to Plan B. Last month, Risebrough conveyed interest to Florida GM Jacques Martin regarding captain Olli Jokinen, but the Panthers are four points out of a playoff spot and would want a huge amount for Jokinen. Another option could be Edmonton's Jarret Stoll, a potential restricted free agent who's having an off year but has a cannon for a shot and ranks 11th in the faceoff circle."

"The Panthers face one of the most important decisions in their 15-year history in the next several days: keep Olli Jokinen, or trade him by the Feb. 26 deadline."

"Richard Zednik's horrific accident last Sunday left the Panthers without four of their top nine forwards. Even with Rostislav Olesz's return on Friday, coach and General Manager Jacques Martin would like to make a move. "

"If the Rangers keep Jaromir Jagr - and, yes, here I go again, to coin a phrase - Sather needs to find out what it will take to get Bobby Holik out of Atlanta as a rental... We're told that Florida is exploring a multi-player trade in which Olli Jokinen would go to San Jose for Patrick Marleau, but wouldn't it make much more sense for the Panthers to simply trade in GM-coach Jacques Martin?"

"There is talk that if the Montreal Canadiens win the Marian Hossa sweepstakes, they might make a push for Chicago Blackhawks right winger Martin Havlat as well... While all the attention in Florida has been focused on centre Olli Jokinen, sources say centre Jozef Stumpel and winger Radek Dvorak are being shopped... A new name has surfaced on the NHL trade market with the clock ticking toward the deadline: Los Angeles Kings centre Mike Cammalleri."

"Jacques Martin, coach and general manager of the Panthers, said he is interested in adding players to his injury-hampered team. But prospects such as Shawn Matthias and Michal Frolik are off-limits. Florida doesn't have a first-round pick in the 2008 entry draft, sending it to Nashville for Tomas Vokoun. ''We're always looking to add some players if we can,'' Martin said. "

"The Devils are believed trying to upgrade their team both on defense and at center. Brad Richards, Olli Jokinen, Ladislav Nagy, Robert Lang and Martin Havlat are names mentioned by inside figures up front, with Dan Boyle, Brian Campbell, Rob Blake, Joni Pitkanen and John-Michael Liles among the possibilities on defense."

"The Wings, who have around $5 million in salary-cap room, already inquired about one forward, but free agent Peter Forsberg rejected their overtures. Now the focus is on whom they can pry from other teams; possible candidates could include Jaromir Jagr, Mats Sundin, Marian Hossa, Olli Jokinen and Vaclav Prospal."

"Chicago RW Martin Havlat and coach Denis Savard aren't getting along these days. Chicago papers speculated that Havlat could be shipped elsewhere because the all-star winger is only one season away from becoming an unrestricted free agent. League sources, however, say Savard could be in trouble... Minny D Nick Schultz could be moved before the Feb. 26 trade deadline... The Panthers can keep up their breathless denials all they want, but they have tried to move C Olli Jokinen several times this season and they're still trying."

"The parameters have been set for what captain Olli Jokinen calls 'the next key thing' for the Panthers: Signing defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to a long-term contract."

"Asked directly about reports that Jokinen might be used to acquire Toronto captain Mats Sundin, Martin replied, 'There's a major difference between Jokinen and Sundin because of age. They're both captains, they're both great players, but one is in his prime while the other is getting near the end of his career.'"

"With the clock inching toward the National Hockey League trade deadline at 3 p.m. on Feb. 26, there has been plenty of speculation about the future of Jokinen, who does not have a no-trade clause, and Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin, who has been telling people he has no intention of waiving his no-trade clause. But outside of baldness and the letters on the front of their sweaters, Martin does not think there is much of a comparison between Jokinen, a Finn, and Sundin, a Swede."

"Jokinen says he is not interested in leaving the Panthers and says the rumors will die if the Panthers remain in the playoff hunt. Jokinen also says the rumored rift with Martin has been overblown."

"Olli Jokinen and Mats Sundin have a lot in common these days. Both are captains of their respective teams, the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs. With the two teams fighting long odds to make the playoffs, trade speculation surrounds both players... Jokinen never bargained a no-trade clause into his deal, and it's a detail that makes it easier for his name to appear in the rumour mill."

"Florida coach and general manager Jacques Martin is finding the market to improve his team very tight. With so much competition for playoff spots, teams are shy about making deals."

"Martin said the parity in the league means the Panthers and nearly every other team still have a chance for a playoff spot, and that has made it a seller's market when it comes to possible trades."

"CBC's Hockey Night in Canada reported Panthers star Olli Jokinen wants a trade because he "hates" coach Jacques Martin. Jokinen on Monday denied wanting out."

"Captain Olli Jokinen said Monday he doesn't want to be traded, has never asked the Panthers to trade him and that coach and General Manager Jacques Martin told him less than a week ago no deals involving him have been discussed."

"Now in 2008 -- despite reports Saturday that said Jokinen and Panthers coach Jacques Martin do not get along -- the team captain wants to stay in South Florida and play for the Panthers."

"The Olli Jokinen trade rumors surfaced again during the weekend, and Jokinen said Monday the he was not surprised."

"Coach Jacques Martin said the Panthers earlier made an offer to defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, an impending restricted free agent, but talks are on hold. 'Jay's evaluating things -- he knows what he means to us,' Martin said."

"With Niedermayer returning to the Ducks, Burke is trying to swing a trade to clear cap space for him. There's talk the Hawks have shown interest in defenceman Mathieu Schneider, but Burke would like to keep him. Other Ducks who have surfaced in trade rumours: Francois Beauchemin, Sean O'Donnell, Shane Hnidy and Todd Marchant. If there was any market for Todd Bertuzzi, he'd be on that list. Burke will be getting a call from GM/coach Jacques Martin in Florida, who needs help on the blue line"

"Martin said he expected defenseman Scott Niedermayer to return to Anaheim. Now that he has, the Panthers might help the Ducks shed the few million dollars from their payroll to make room for Niedermayer."

"Florida Panthers coach and GM Jacques Martin has put out a "Help Wanted" sign. He needs to make the playoffs to keep his job and is either looking for a defenceman or a winger. It's believed Martin would love to get his hands on Ottawa forward Antoine Vermette, but Vermette is a pretty important piece of the puzzle for the Senators"

"While the playoffs are one priority for Martin, another is getting his No. 1 defenseman signed to a long-term contract. Bryon Baltimore, Bouwmeester's Edmonton-based agent, said his side is taking a 'reasonably patient approach' in that process."

"The Florida Panthers are feeling the heat, and it's not from the sun. Rumors persist that the Panthers' Olli Jokinen and coach and GM Jacques Martin are at loggerheads, with some intimating that the players are uniformly unhappy with their coach. Of course, players and management deny that there is any bad blood at all, which is standard operating procedure in these cases. But the heat is on in Florida. "

"Panthers captain Olli Jokinen and general manage/coach Jacques Martin met privately last weekend to clear up talk that the team has been trying to trade the veteran center. Regardless of whether Jokinen is on the block, insiders say the relationship between the player and coach is strained."

"Two names to keep in mind if the Blue Jackets are, in fact, trying to acquire a scoring-line center -- Edmonton's Jarret Stoll and Florida's Olli Jokinen."

"Panthers majority owner Alan Cohen and General Manager Jacques Martin Saturday denied reports in the Canadian media that captain Olli Jokinen has been shopped for a possible trade... Speculation was that the team that covets Jokinen is Calgary, where Mike Keenan, formerly with the Panthers, is the coach."

"After the game, Martin had to turn his attention to a rumor that he -- as general manager -- had been trying to trade Jokinen. The rumor had been floating around the team since the morning skate, and Martin searched out Jokinen before the game to tell him it was false."

" Panthers coach and general manager Jacques Martin has been none too pleased with the play of Olli Jokinen and quietly has been shopping his captain. The problem is that Panthers owner Alan Cohen has no intention of allowing Jokinen to be dealt. If this develops into a full-blown power struggle, Martin could very well be on the losing end. "

"Coach and general manager Jacques Martin said the Panthers aren't going to turn things around by trading players and making wholesale changes. He said he believes in his team, but they need to start playing as a team before they dig themselves in too deep."

"While Boston winger Glen Murray has struggled with only one goal in 15 games to start the season, that hasn't stopped teams looking for a top six forward from calling. It's believed the Thrashers, Senators, Panthers, Kings and Canucks have all shown interest."

"Panthers coach and General Manager Jacques Martin admitted Friday he has been looking to acquire an enforcer, but said the player who would fill that role well hasn't been available."

"Could Martin land a real heavyweight? Word is Columbus has soured on Jody Shelley, who has been a healthy scratch in 5-of-6 games, but he has little skill. Another option is Anthony Stewart, who once broke Horton's jaw in a fight in juniors."