I guess things are starting to heat up in sunny Flordia:

Oh My! I haven't heard anything about this, but you know I'm going to find out. I would hate to see Olli go, but if he's not happy then will this unhappiness hurt his preformance?

Okay, tomorrow is a big day for the Panthers. Their 2008 State of the Team Address starts at 5:30 PM. I plan to be there and hope to hear that Olli wanting to leave is all just a rumor. I'll keep you posted

Jokinen isn't going anywhere. This rumor comes around every year just like the Easter Bunny.

I think or should I say hope Martin goes before Jokinen.

The Panthers have a lot of good players who don't seem motivated with Martin as a coach.

State of the Team is a bunch of BS. Heard it all before. Its a sales pitch for season seats. They are already gearing up to sell tickets for next year.

John

When I heard about a Jokinen trade I said the exact same thing as you did Wingsfan about hearing this every spring and nothing coming of it. Sounds to me though that Jokinen is really unhappy with Martin and if there is going to be a trade that this would be the year. The good thing for Panther fans is that there are a few other big name guys in trade talks like Hossa and Sundin which means Jokinen will not be the #1 guy that GM's are looking at this year.

I would like to see Martin gone before Jokinen. It seem as of late that our Panthers aren't playing with heart. I can only hope that someone wakes up and smells the coffee and brings in a coach that will motivate these guys. Let me tell you I think we have a great team & they can do much better!!

As for the 2008 State of the Team Address today, it maybe a lot of "BS" and marketing/sales pitch for the next season, but it couldn't hurt to hear what they have to say.

I hope that Jokinen makes it out on the ice for tonights game. He left after the first period on Wednesday...was it really flu like symptoms or is it that he is truly unhappy

I thought I read somewhere that Jokinen wasn't going to be playing tonight. I could be wrong on that though.

One thing I agree with is Martin needs to go. I said it way back when he was given both the GM & Coach position it was a bad thing. I mean whats he gonna do as GM? Fire the coach - who he is also?

The team is talented but not motivated. The only player I have seen nightly give 110% is David Booth. I noticed that long before the BOOOOOTTHHH chanters started. That kid skates and doesn't give up.

As far as disappinting - Weiss is my #1. He can't seem to hit and open net. He makes a lot of passes that turn into give aways. Shoot he just plain gives up the puck. During the Edmonton game last week I saw him go for a change as the Oilers were rushing into our zone. What happens next?? Score!!! ARRGGHHH he makes me mad! Yet some how he is still one of Matrin's favorites - Go figure?!?!?!

Anyway, hopefully we can pull tonights game off against the Nucks & I hope I win a Big Screen, too!!! For those who don't know - at tonights game (& return to So FL for Luongo) they are giving away 5 Big Screen TV's for every goal scored on Luongo.

John

What a night!

Okay, so I went to the State of the Team Address. It was a lot of "blah, blah, blah", but I did find it interesting. A few voices spoke out on their feelings about Martin - "fire him". There were a lot of questions and Sexton was pretty repetitive. One thing I can say it's quite disappointing to hear him say "the team has not reached their maturity." I'm sorry but grow up and get the job done!

Olli isn't going any where for now...

Now for the game! What a kick butt game...I was on the edge of my seat and now I have no voice.  The prayers worked we WON! It's about time that we had a win.

Horton stepped up...it's been way to long that he has not gotten out there! Jokinen had the itch to fight...not much of a fight, but glad to see he was on the ice tonight. Vokoun had 29 saves...thank goodness 'cause as of late it seem he was letting the puck in with a welcome mat.

Hey John, did you win a flat screen TV? You will not believe this...my rep upgraded my seats...cool enough! Got to the upgrade seat with my Hockey partner to give them up to four little kids. They had tickets for our upgraded seats. Well I'm no meany that's for sure, told them okay you sit here and and went up to my regular season seat. Good thing that my partner in hockey was running late and had his ticket (our regular seat 420-1-5) and had his ticket stub taken. He WON one of the TV's. Can you believe that and here I was telling him that if my upgraded ticket won I would have to fight for the TV...LOL...and then I said to him it would be really funny if you won. He did...how cool is that! He is going to pick up the TV on Monday, but he will not be unpacking it as he is moving back to NJ. I wont have a hockey partner next season, oh well I'll come up with something or someone!

Have a great night!

Wow thats really cool your friend won!! Nope no TV for me !

It was a very exciting game. I am glad they won. I sure would have hated listening to all those Nuck fans on the way out. Did you see the Nuck fan in the Scooby Doo outfit? That was funny!!

My seats are some what near you. I am in 423. I haven't sat there much this year. Last night was the first time in a long time I actually sat in my season seats.

It was a fun game!!

John

I just heard a rumor on yahoo that Jokinen is being shopped around and Calgary & Dallas are showing the most interest. IMO this would be a bad move by the Panthers. Their next best player, Horton, isn't ready to carry a team on his shoulders like Jokinen has done the past few years.