*sorta*
Jim Matheson's Hockey World Quote:
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Panthers GM/coach Jacques Martin threw his captain Olli Jokinen under the bus as they missed the playoffs for a seventh straight year, wondering where he'd been the last month. "No even-strength goals and a minus player in the last 19 games," said Martin. Any coach who would know that stat and toss it out to the media probably isn't a big fan, which leads to the next question: Which guy will outlast the other? The Owner Alan Cohen said weeks ago he'd be plum ticked-off if they missed the post-season, again, and he'd have to evaluate Martin. That's usually owner-speak for don't let the door hit your backside on the way out. But Jokinen may also have played his last game there. He might actually be relieved. They'll likely trade him, maybe at the draft.
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So, who goes and who stays? I happen to think that Olli is going to take the fall for this one which is completely unfair but he is the Captain.
If the Kings don't get the opportunity to draft Stamkos and Jokinen is available, I'd be all for Lombardi making a play for Olli. OJ is a 35+ goal scorer and a point-per-game player who would fit nicely on a line with Frolov and Purcell/Cammalleri. Kopitar's workload could finally be throttled back to maximize his effectiveness. Also, Jokinen is signed for 2 more seasons at 5.25M so there's no need to worry about him walking away as a UFA anytime soon.
Florida has so many holes(including only 4 draft picks in 2008*) that I think the Kings and their abundance of picks/quality prospects make them an ideal trading partner.
How about something like this as a starting point
#21 overall pick '08
#58 overall pick '08
Michael Cammalleri
TJ Fast
for
Jokinen
*Florida's 2008 draft picks
No 1st round pick
2nd round pick
COL's 3rd round pick
4th round
No 5th round pick
No 6th round pick
7th round pick