Comments on: Aftermath of Jokinen Debacle, What's to Follow?

By: ChyldProdigy

ChyldProdigy — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:39:55 +0000

Absolutely, you never can know for sure with young prospects. Certainly too much has been made of Stralman as a superstar, but for now he has decent potential and has held his own at the NHL level. Perhaps headlining was not the best choice of words, but if expectations pan out (a big if in Toronto) Schenn and Stralman could become a Lidstrom/Rafalski type duo.
It was the article that stated Bouwmeester preferred the spotlight, I wasn't the one making that assumption. I like his current game, and feel he could get a lot better on a team he wanted to play for. Whether or not that team is Toronto, I highly doubt it but I would still like to see it.

By: jimbob

jimbob — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:55:38 +0000

Bouwmeester would probably hate it in Toronto, all the scrutiny, all the criticism…he appears to be quite the timid guy, so I don't see him fitting in well in a Canadian city.

By: Kramer

Kramer — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:24:00 +0000

Jokinen has played in as many playoff games as Steve Stamkos.

By: Desertdog17

Desertdog17 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:46:54 +0000

good article, some good points. I believe that keith ballard is a very underrated defensmen in the league. at just 24, ballard played with morris as the top shutdown duo every single night for the coyotes. And in the pacific division, you have to play some pretty tough d. That is why losing ballard is a concern for me and the yotes. I think that maloney and gretz feel they can fill the defensive holes now from within. Keith Yandle proved last year that he is reary to be an nhl defenceman. And i think it will be a battle at training camp between matt jones and Nick Ross to see who makes the jump. I have heard nothing but good things about Ross, and i think he has a real solid shot. However i do agree, signing 1 more solidified D man would be great, and orpik would be the right fit in the pacific division.

By: THEGREATHAB

THEGREATHAB — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:39:21 +0000

The change of scenery should help Jokinen, while I think he gave up on the Panthers, also I think the panthers have to take some of the blame. What kind of team have they put together for this guy to play with? Jokinen is a good player, but he will not win you games by himself, I think Florida put a little to much pressure, and not enough support for him.

By: flyersfan10897

flyersfan10897 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:22:32 +0000

I cannot see the Panthers agreeing to pay Bouwmeester 6 million dollars a year. He just isn't worth it. If I was Martin and someone offered him anything around 6 million (I'd probably even go down to 4.5) I would let him go. He just isn't worth a Vanek deal (though neither is Vanek).

By: flyersfan10897

flyersfan10897 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:19:29 +0000

I'm going to agree with the poster above me. I don't care if you do get Bouwmeester, those four will not be "headlining" the league. First you're making the assumption that Bouwmeester would play better in Toronto, which may or not be true. You're also assuming that Stralman is anything above an average defensemen, and that Schenn won't be a bust. The only one that I'd be willing to give you is that Schenn probably won't be a bust.

If you want to know who will have the best defense squad in the league, look at LA. Jack Johnson, Thomas Hickey, Drew Doughty, and Colten Teubert, and they might still have Lubomir Visnovksy.

By: pezzz

pezzz — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:17:26 +0000

if Redden signs with Florida on July 1rst, I'm not sure the Panthers will match an offer above 5 millions.

By: mikster

mikster — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:55:57 +0000

Panthers would match any offer under $7M. I’d rather trade him for a forward.

By: mikster

mikster — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:48:19 +0000

Allen
Van Ryn
Ballard
Boynton
Murphy
Welch
Jay Bo

Hey, you can never have enough! There is no doubt in my mind that Bo will leave. They may sign him for a year and lose him at the deadline in Feb. But, he would be disgruntled and not worth it. Buh bye...

I think the Redden rumors are just based on the connections between Martin and Redden.

I think they'd look for depth and leadersip. Someone like Morrison. They may trade for Havlat. Would not surprise me if they make a pitch at Hossa.

Jokinen was not the #1 center. Many times he just played RW. Woud not even surprised me if he played half the season on the RW.