Apologies for flooding the board with Panthers stories, but beyond NBA draft rumors and Jason Taylor rumors and the dog days of Summer with the Marlins, there isn't much going on.
Sun-sentinel.com posted a conversation with former Panther Olli Jokinen. A few things caught my eye. First, Jacques Martin called Olli himself to break the news, and the conversation was, as to be expected, "very short." But what wasn't expected was what Jokinen said about his 8 years in South Florida; "I was lucky enough to stay here for eight years — that's a long time. I would have liked to stay, but as a player, too, how long can you take it? Since Mike [Keenan] left — I think he was the guy who really wanted me here — so when he was gone, at that time I thought, 'It's just a matter of time before I'll have to leave.'"
Mike Keenan left 4 years ago. Now I know the relationship between Jokinen and Martin was strained, but has Olli really been waiting to leave since 2004? At times, he's played like it. He only scored 5 goals after February 10 (the final 24 games) last season, during the heat of the playoff push. Maybe his part in the Zednik accident had something to do with that... maybe it didn't.
When asked about reports that he had asked to be traded: "I was saying if they really want to get rid of me, I'm not going to say, 'I want to stay, I want to stay.... It's his [Martin's] team now so [Martin] can do whatever he wants."
Bitter much? To Olli's defense, the past month has been filled with talks about trading him. I can see how that might get under one's skin. He even had to find out about Panthers' new coach Pete DeBoer through the team's PR guy. If that isn't a bad sign, I don't know what is. But in the big picture, it was his play that packed his bags. A major dropoff in production from the '06-'07 season and a disappointing stretch run gave Martin all the reasons he needed to look elsewhere.
Read the full conversation with the Sun-Sentinal here
Check out interviews with Martin and newest Cat Keith Ballard here
Some pretty interesting stuff from Jacques regarding filling needs at defense and addressing the lack of a veteran center.
Floridapanthers.com just released these quotes about the trade...
Jacques Martin: "I really felt we needed to improve our defense... I feel Keith Ballard is a No. 2 defenseman. He’s a tough player to play against, a real shutdown defenseman who can move the puck. He has good speed, a lot of grittiness, and he’s physical. Nick Boynton is another who can play on our top four. He’s a first-round pick, and (head coach) Peter (DeBoer) coached him in the World Championships."
Darren Pang (analyst for the Coyotes and Versus): “Keith Ballard is a very competitive kid; incredibly passionate... He skates like every shift is his last shift... Keith came out of college (University of Minnesota) as an offensive defenseman. I think if you give him the green light, he can go. Boynton is defensive minded. He keeps the game simple, but you could have Ballard and Boynton as you’re two shutdown guys."
If there's one thing the Panthers have been accused of in the past, it's laziness. What Panger said sounds like something the Panthers need desperately. Bringing in Wade Belak towards the end of last season started the change in mindset. These two D-men coming in looks like another step in the right direction.
Later in the same interview, Martin went on to say that he expects big things from prospects Matthias and Frolik. He also hinted at going out to find "more production, as well as other people." Just how much are the Cats willing to spend for that production? Hmmm...
Now I know the "Killer B's" of the Houston Astros are gone, so can we bring it back? Bouwmeester, Boynton, and Ballard? The B's on D? B's on the blueline? Someone help me out with this.
One rumor floating around has the Senators shipping Spezza and restricted free agent defenseman Andrej Meszaros to the Panthers for Jokinen and RFA blueliner Jay Bouwmeester.
Murray and Panthers GM Jacques Martin were unavailable for comment.
thefourthperiod.com btw
I would do this in a second! Spezza has a 7 year contract which makes this deal great! Hopefully JM can get it done!
Before everybody gets overly excited about the potential Wade Redden signing, I come bearing news.
This may not be the exciting move everybody is waiting for to get the Panthers over the hump. Not only does signing Wade Redden ignore the lack of forwards the team has, but also may signal the end of a Panther we desperately need.
First things first. Why are the Panthers finally willing to overpay a player to land him? It's because Wade Redden goes way back with none other than Jacques Martin. Martin only signs people that he knows, and word has it that this clause may be on the verge of being built into every player's contract with the Panthers. You can only sign if you are a personal friend of Mr. Martin. This is evidenced by the coaching choices, as the candidates have pretty much been narrowed down to Paul Maurice and Andre Savard, both of whom are friends of Martin. It is really sick that Martin needs to know everybody he goes after. For the record, Maurice would be a much better choice than Savard, as Savard is basically a Martin clone.
Back to Redden. He is a puck moving, offensive defensemen. Remind you of someone who's contract is up? That's right, Jay Bouwmeester. Redden and Bouwmeester could never play on the same pairing, and by signing Redden, Martin may be waiving the white flag on the signing of Jay Bo. Not only would this be a horrible trade off because of age, but Bouwmeester's potential far outweighs anything Redden could bring to the table.
A team that gives up 74 shots a game does not need to be looking for an offensive defensemen. Look to forwards to bring you more offense, while concentrating on defensive defensemen like Bryan Allen to sure up that front.
Wade Redden put up 38 points and a +11 rating last season, but he isn't the answer to the problems in Panthersland. If anything, the money Florida puts out for him may prevent them from doing much else, further hampering the team.
Martin talks about how it is not necessary for the Panthers to have a coach in place by the start of free agency because the Panthers do not need to be very active in free agency. He's obviously up to his same old tricks. Frolik and Matthias are promising, but they will not lead the Panthers to a playoff run this season. Free agency is the only hope the Panthers have of significantly improving before next season. Somebody get me Martin on speed dial. I've got a few words for him.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the following:
As for Jokinen, rumors are picking up that GM Jacques Martin could trade him by the start of training camp. It's not the first time Jokinen's name has popped up up in the rumor mill, but the teams Garrioch suggests could take a run at him (Calgary, Ottawa, Minnesota) will have to send almost the equivilant of his $5 million+ salary to Florida or dump it elsewhere to comfortably afford him.
The above really bothers me because there never is a return in these rumors. OK so Jokinen is going to be dealt but who are the Panthers looking for in return? It doesn't say!
My point is that all true Panther fans should be nervous to what this horrid organization will be asking in return. A true Panther trade would be: Jokinen for Bonk and a 4th (me shaking my head in disappointment).
The Panthers need goal scorers, it would not make any sense to trade their best point getter for nothing. I expect this team with JM as GM to make this team look totally different from last years team.
Matthias better make the team out of camp and Frolik hopefully will be up by December (thats assuming they start off slow once again which we all know is almost a given.
Jacques Martin seems to have his share of skeptics on this blog. I don't pretend to know more about hockey than Imber, FloridaPanthers4Ever, or Stanley C., but I think it's time we say a nice word about Mr. Martin as GM.
So far, he's done all we could have wanted. Is it possible that his management skills were stunted by his coaching responsibilities?
Better yet, does Martin deserve the benefit of the doubt in that regard? I say yes! Let's show him some love, because as far as the Panthers are concerned, he can say l'etat, c'est moi!
Just as I was starting to plan what negative things to say when the Panthers were to lose Michael Frolik, the team gets him signed tonight.
This is the biggest news out of Panthersland in quite some time. He's being compared to Jaromir Jagr, just the type of player the Panthers need. Losing out on him would have been devastating to the franchise.
Frolik put up 65 points in 45 games last year in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Coincidentally, he plays for the same team that Sidney Crosby came into the league from.
I said Martin needed to do four things this summer to earn my respect (Sign Frolik, Bouwmeester, a kicking ass type of coach, and some scoring options in free agency). Check one off the board. I can't believe I'm saying this, but way to go Jacques.
Will it surprise anyone if they don't get this deal done? For one, I expect them not to get the deal done. On top of this deal, theres the Bouwmeester contract. Does anyone think #4 will be wearing a Panther uniform next season?
Frolik is a special player, I want everyone to know that this draft pick might be one of the best draft picks they have made in YEARS. If they fail to get his contract done, I hope some season ticket holders wake up and realize this organization is going down the drain (well it has been for 7 years).
Frolik could easily come into the NHL and put up 20+ goals his rookie season. He is a rare talent and is known as Baby Jagr. I see Frolik maturing into a top line winger 80+ points a year. If they do not sign him, he will then re-enter in the NHL draft this coming July.
From what I have been apart of for all of these Panther offseasons, I give this organization a 80% chance that either Frolik or Bouwmeester does not get signed by the team. Wouldn't it be something if they both are let go via draft and trade. If that happens, I might be in for a new hockey sweater!
Rememeber, Cohen and JM both said that Bouwmeester was the center piece to the team and that Frolik is the most important prospect for the future of this franchise. They will have lied to all of us faithful fans if they fail to sign both.
LETS GO PANTHERS, GET THESE DEALS DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND OF COURSE OLESZ TOO!
So the decision has been made to keep Panthers GM Jacques Martin through the 2011-2012 season.
Thanks for the heads up.
By guarenteeing Martin another three years with the franchise, the Panthers are putting all their eggs in one man's basket. In my opinion, a one-year-prove-yourself-by-getting-this-team-a-playoff-roster contract should have been in order.
But as usual, the Panthers jumped the gun. Too often they gave up on young talent too fast, and now, they were too quick to sign someone who has yet to really prove himself as the answer.
Yes, Martin has pulled the trigger on some great deals. Getting Shawn Matthias out of a busted trade was a great move, and for those of you who don't know who this kid is, you will soon. Getting Tomas Vokoun was another strong move, although it will handicap the Panthers this draft. However, Martin has not done what it takes to get this team over the hump.
Last offseason, a couple of bonafide scorers could have put this team over the top. Instead, Martin took a chance and loaded up on "role players" designed to put up 10-15 goals per season. Although Richard Zednik, Brett McLean, and to a smaller extent Radek Dvorak all made an impact, none of them were consistent enough to make the Panthers a sure fire contender.
If Martin goes out this offseason and grabs a guy like Marian Hossa, Brian Rolston, or even Pavol Demitra, I will have second thoughts about my negative feelings towards this signing. Many experts right now are saying that the Panthers franchise will not be back in contention until Martin is gone, plus two years to undo the damage. That may be very pessimistic, but that would put the Panthers out of the playoffs until at least 2014. I don't think anybody will be left if that happens.
All I can say is, Jacques, go sign Bouwmeester, Frolik, a motivational driven coach, and some goal scorers this free agency period. If you can check off those four items, I will write a blog apologizing and praising this signing.
This according to floridapanthers.com. Panthers general manager Jacques Martin has been signed through the 2011-2012 season. Martin also said earlier today that he doesn't see himself making any hurried decisions about hiring a new head coach. “I think in June is when I see picking up the coaching portfolio and doing some work,” Martin said. “I didn’t want to put a deadline on it. We’ll just wait to see where we’re at. Maybe it will develop quickly, and maybe it’s going to take a couple weeks.”
Martin then tossed out some names that might pop up... some have a plethora of NHL experience (Joel Quenneville, Pat Quinn, Pat Burns, Paul Maurice), while others are currently NHL assistant coaches. Martin also mentioned that he may even look into the AHL for some new coaching talent on the rise. Here's one quote that popped out to me. Martin said he plans to look for "an individual who has good teaching ability (because of) the age of our roster. One with good motivational skills, good communication skills. An individual who can work within the team framework with the organization.” Is it just me or is he describing everything he couldn't seem to do while he was the head coach? He couldn't get the younger players to live up to their potential. There were flashes, but no consistency (lack of teaching ability?) Motivation was often absent among the Panthers on a nightly basis. Again, some nights they looked like a contender. Other nights, they looked like a peewee house team. Martin butted heads with players, most publicly with team captain Olli Jokinen. Not exactly a demonstration of great communication skills, or "working within the team framework."
It does seem like he is dedicated to finding the right guy for this team, and perhaps even admit that he was unable to be that guy. There is no need to rush and just hire a big name if there is someone out there who would be a better fit. Hopefully Martin can get the coach who can get this team to finally live up to its potential.
In an unrelated matter, Team Finland, with Jokinen and Ville Peltonen, lost today's semi-final matchup with Russia 4-0. Finland looked nothing like the team they have been up to this point in the tournament, both physically and mentally. They were called twice within a matter of minutes for too many men on the ice late in the 3rd period, and hardly mustered much of a scoring threat for much of the game. Finland will take on the loser of Canada vs. Sweden.
The Florida Panthers are now accepting applications for their new head coach. I'm thinking about sending one in just as soon as I try out for the opening on the third scoring line.
Okay, in all seriousness, the first rumor of possible replacement coaches to get me excited has finally come out. And that has come in the form of hearing that former Panthers coach Doug MacLean is "interested" in the job.
Forget his, well, forgettable performance in Columbus. Some teams just don't have what it takes to win, and so far, the very definition of that has been the Blue Jackets. Only so much of the blame can go to the coach when a team doesn't have the horses.
MacLean would bring back the essence of all that was good in this franchise's history. He took the young Panthers all the way to the Stanley Cup back in 1996, a season that seems so far gone. MacLean coming back would bring back reminders of winning, sell out crowds, and of course rats. Everything that made the Panthers one of the most successful start up teams in NHL history could be back just like that.
The Panthers finally made a right decision in firing Jacques Martin from his coaching perch. Now they have an opportunity to make it two for two.
Bring back Dougie MacLean!
I’ve been long quoted as comparing the Florida Panthers to the loveable George Constanza when it came to decision making. For those of you who don’t have the pleasure of understanding what I’m talking about, George came to the conclusion about mid-way through the brilliant sitcom Seinfeld, that every decision he had ever made had been wrong.
The same could really be said about the Panthers. Let’s take a little look back, as painful as it is.
A couple of years ago, the Panthers had arguably the best goalie in the league. Now, they have a solid defenseman and a guy in the minor leagues instead. Advantage Vancouver.
The Panthers gave up now near 30-goal scorer Niklas Hagman for a bag of pucks. Advantage Dallas.
The Panthers gave up now 70-point scorer Kristian Huselius for a defenseman who ended up playing as a fourth line winger this season. Advantage Calgary.
Sure the Panthers may have done themselves well in acquiring All-Star goalie Tomas Vokoun, but they won’t be drafting until the third round of this season’s draft because of it.
However, this isn’t a blog about Panthers blunders; rather one of them finally doing something right.
It was finally reported that Jacques Martin is out as Panthers coach. The man who was compared to a moisture vaporator as an emotionless, uninventive coach is finally going to be held to one duty at the most.
What a concept. The Panthers will finally have two different people to do two very different jobs. Asking one person to be both the General Manager and coach of a hockey team is like asking someone to stand on one leg, and then the other, without setting the first down. No matter how talented you are, it just isn’t going to work.
This season ended in promise for the Florida Panthers, and for the first time in recent memory, it appears the front office is ready to do what it takes to get the Panthers to playoffs for the first time since the turn of the century. If the Panthers can hire the right coach to motivate the troops, this dream could finally become a reality.
Can someone dial Bob Knight for me?
Jacques Martin has been fired by the Florida Panthers. He has, however, been give the opportunity to keep his GM position. This is a team that hasn't won a playoff series since 1996, hasn't won a playoff game since 1997, and hasn't qualified for the playoffs since 2000. Martin joined the Panthers in May, 20004, and assumed the General Manager duties after Mike Keenan was fired September 3, 2006.
The team seemed filled with potential the last 2 seasons. Both young guns and veterans were brought in, a #1 goaltender was signed, and the signs were there that this team should compete. Yet, again, the Panthers failed to make the playoffs. Yes, a nice March gave them a sniff at the postseason (it helped that 9 of 10 were at home, and the one road game was cross-state in Tampa), but blowing 3 consecutive 2-goal, 3rd period leads in February put them too far back.
Keeping Martin on as GM might be a smart thing to do. The players he has been able to sign are quality guys, the right guys I feel. Maybe some were too young to count on, but nothing I saw this season made me think that Martin was the guy who could get them over the hump. It will be interesting to see who the Cats are going to bring in. I think they need to look young, someone who can push the young guys into a lead role and get the vets to fill a nice solid foundation.
For no reason other than complete speculation, I think someone like Pat Burns might fit in nicely in South Florida. He has been out of coaching since '04 battling colon cancer, but he has recently been named as an assistant coach for Team Canada in the upcoming World Championships. He clearly wants to get back into coaching, and a young team like Florida, with little pressure from its sparse fan base might give him a good opportunity to turn a team and his career around. That said, who knows if Burns has any interest at all in the Panthers, or vice versa.
With a fresh start, I'm looking forward to '08-'09 already.
