From Talking Points:
Maybe Olli Jokinen wasn't the problem in Sunrise after all.
The Florida Panthers are busy choking their way out of the playoffs for the umpteenth straight year, and without Jokinen to blame this time. This time they've lost eight of 10, which is about par for March (although they're way behind pace in the "Carolina is a bunch of divers" category).
Each spring, as the Panthers faded their way out of the playoff chase, there were whispers that Jokinen's leadership was at fault. After all, he'd never played in a single playoff game. (Never mind that anyone who played for the Islanders, Kings and Panthers had an uphill climb in that category anyway.)
Read more here.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at 829-8947 or 
Comments
I don't think
Fri, 03/27/2009 - 07:16 — hockeyhickhe really wanted to be a leader. I think he just wants to play his game and worry about himself. He was captain in FLA, Phoenix tried to make him a leader, and neither situation worked out. Now in Calgary he has been able to just play his game.
Olli
Thu, 03/26/2009 - 15:07 — esteban1949may have gotten the "whispered" blame, for the floundering the panthers are doing...but he ( jokinen) has had the last laugh huh ?
Go Canes !!