Olli Versus Florida, NEXT!

TEMPE, Ariz. --

So, all those reports of Olli Jokinen and Jacques Martin not getting along last year were false, eh?

The frosty relationship we reported on and was told wasn't true? Come on. We all know better. 

These two did not like each other, did not get along. At all.

Today, Olli got in some barbs, although he didn't stop for emphasis or anything sinister like that.

One reason he likes playing in Phoenix? The front office and the management. Says it's important that GM Don Maloney "played the game" at the NHL level and he enjoys playing for a coach with the stature of Wayne Gretzky.

"This is such a good group of guys and it all starts with the management,'' he said. "Our whole coaching staff has playing experience. That's just amazing. It's a lot more fun. I come to work at the rink with a big ol' smile on my face every day. I haven't been able to do that the last couple of years in Florida. It was just too much.''

-- Olli doesn't know much about Pete DeBoer, but its obvious he's not a JM fan: "I always wish the best for the Panthers. I had a good seven years there. And I hear they finally have a good coach. That's good.''

-- On the rivalry between himself and the Panthers, Olli said "there's always five or six new guys there. I don't even know half the team.''

According to my rudimentary math skills, Olli played with 16 of the 20 guys on the ice tomorrow, a little better than 50 percent.

-- Olli doesn't like to see the Panthers lose: "I'd rather them come in here winning five in a row. But we can't be too focused on what they're doing or what they're going through.''

-- Everyone knows Jokinen will pass Guy Charron to become the all-time leader in most games played without appearing in the playoffs this season.

Guess when?

Saturday night against the Panthers.

Olli's not on a playoff team now, not by a long shot. But he wasn't in Florida either. And no one is here blaming him for things that, well, now look silly. The Panthers are a mess right now, and Olli isn't here to take the blame. Something's wrong in FLA, but it isn't Olli Jokinen's problem anymore.

Or Guy's.

Comments

[YearOftheRAT]

Good luck to Olli, I miss his goals already :(

[season ticket holder since day one]

Another former Panther that we could of had real cheap opens his season last night with 3 goals. Mark Parrish and his 500k contract.

Parrish is exactly what this team is missing, someone who is not afraid to stand in the slot.

[andy]

Ollie was just telling the truth. JM stinks and Cohen only kept him on because he would have to pay him to leave. Ollie may just drive the nail deeper into the JM coffin tonight.

[EJ]

Andy is correct and Cohen won't fire him because JM was resigned for a couple of more years. Unbelievable!

This team rots right now! I wouldn't be surprised if Ollie scores a hat trick tonight like Mark Parrish did the other night.

We want John Tavaras.

[andy]

AMERKS SPEARED BY MOOSE, LOSE FIVE STRIGHT
(Rochester, November 7)... The Rochester Americans dropped a 5-1 decision to the Manitoba Moose tonight at The Blue Cross Arena. In the game Kenndal McArdle extended his point streak to four games, during which time he tallied four points (1+3). The loss drops the Amerks to 1-10-0-0 on the season and 1-5-0-0 at home.

Another Great Team -- They are 1-10 and those players are what we have to look forward to.

JUST A PATHETIC ORGANIZATION

If I were Rochester I would rip up the contract that they signed with the Panthers and beg them to take there players back.

[matt]

Parrish hat trick last night with Dalas. You can see how serious this team is about making strides....Cohen you make me sick

[john vanbisbreck]

Fire JM and Deboring, and bring in Jay Fester and John Tortorella. Otherwise man the life boats, the Titantic is sinking fast!