Florida Management Just STUPID!

Technically This is the Florida Panthers GM(Pictured)

During the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft I heard a deal for Olli Jokinen has just gone down. Gary Bettman steps to the podium with an overwhelming sing of BOO's to announce the Florida Panthers have traded Olli Jokinen to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Nick Boynton,Keith Ballard and a Second round pick. Ummmm.... EXCUSE ME DID I ACTUALLY JUST HEAR THAT, the answer is yes and I have not even gotten into the details of how stupid the Panthers Management is and im sure you have already found out. Now this is one of the reasons not one person has to explain why the Panthers have NO FANS.

I have actually heard from a couple stations on TV and the internet that this was one of the WORST deals offered but they were getting panicked and HAD to move Jokinen. Florida even said we want at least a first round pick included ummmmm.....rewind, NO FIRST ROUND PICK. I even heard an offer confirmed by both sides that looked exactly like this.

To Florida: Pierre-Marc Bouchard,2005 first round pick Benoit Pouliot and a 1st round pick

To Minnesota:JUST OLLI JOKINEN.

Now that deal compared to getting 1 defencemen who is in my mind past his prime and a second d-man who is young but still 1 young d-man and a second pick is still in my opinion a RIP OFF and this is what im going to make it:

FLORIDA MANAGEMENT IS JUST PLAIN,OLD STUPID!!!

NOW NOT ONE PERSON HAS TO WONDER WHY THEY HAVE NO FANS!!!!!!

Scotty

Hossa Done With Pens?

According to TSN talks between forward Marian Hossa and Penguins GM Ray Shero have broken off for now. Hossa WILL test the free agent market in an attempt to get the kind of money he wants. Pens GM Shero still left the door opened to a return to the igloo but it wont come before July 1st and maybe not ever.

Emery Clears Waivers

Ray Emery has cleared waivers and I believe he will now be bought out!

Pred Fans Line Up for J.P. Dumont

J.P. Dumont made an appearance during last night's Draft Party at the Sommet Center and hundreds lined up for autographs from our much admired Montreal-born winger. As always, J.P. was accessible and friendly. He brought his kids and they sat in the "signers" chair while J.P. stood next to the table for over an hour signing autographs. He is a class act who seems to always be available for this community.

Meanwhile, the Draft and yesterday's trades! The Preds had a productive day which will further strengthen us we move forward. We resolved the 3-man logjam in goal with the trade of Chris Mason to the Blues and have now placed our bets with Dan Ellis and 6' 5" Pekka Rinne whose time for the NHL is here. I have a feeling that It will be an interesting season in goal.

After trading our 9th pick for the Islanders' 7th (which they had previously received by exchanging their 5th for Toronto's 7th) we landed the consensus favorite of Pred fans I talked to: Colin Wilson, a strong center with great hockey sense and a solid bloodline. He'll contribute sooner rather than later and I believe that this pick will pay great dividends for us.

Then, after another interesting exchange with Ottawa, giving them our 15th for their 18th, the team surprised me by taking Chet Pickard, the goalie who, according to THN, shares many physical and metal qualities to Carey Price. Plus, he was Carey's understudy for two years. He is big, strong, and unflappable. A quote by our GM, David Poile (from Brandon Felder's HB blog): “At 15 we wanted Pickard, but we got lucky and got him at 18 after the trade with Ottawa. Some days it works out and today these were the 2 guys we wanted in the 1st round. I shook Pickard’s hand and he has huge hands. He has comparisons to Olaf Kolzig’s size. We are very excited to draft him.”


In addition, Colin Wison and Chet Pickard, along with their respective families, are best friends. This is good - the more I find out about these two picks, the brighter the picture becomes. I haven't read or seen much outside comment yet, but the analysis I've encountered so far is very positive.

More draft tomorrow and free agents just around the corner with lots of rumors. There is much more to come. It's going to be a fun summer even without any games being played.