Frozen Pucks

June 24, 2008 11:00am CDT

OLLI JOKINEN TRADED TO COYOTES

In a huge draft-day deal, the Phoenix Coyotes traded defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick Boyton, along with the 49th overall pick, to the Panthers for borderline superstar Olli Jokinen. The Panthers now have a massive hole on their first line to fill, though they did pick up two quality defensemen. The Coyotes are suddenly extremely strong up the middle, especially with the news that Wayne Gretzky fully intends on putting Olli on a line with current Coyotes captain Shane Doan to form a dynamic duo.

Toiling in anonymity in Florida, Jokinen has become quite the fantasy star. He has scored at least 26 goals in each of the last five seasons, and in four of the five years he scored at least 34 markers. He has also scored at least 71 points in each of the past three years, good for an average of 84 points per season. Jokinen is also a special player on special teams, where he has averaged 12 power-play goals over the past five seasons, including last year's 18, a career high. He has also proven to be extremely durable, skating in 81 or 82 games each of the last five campaigns.

One other thing. For those of you in leagues that count shots on goal, Jokinen should be a prime target. He has had 351, 351 and 341 shots on goal the past three years.

ALEX TANGUAY TRADED TO MONTREAL

In three of the past four seasons, Tanguay has been one of the top scoring left wingers in the NHL with totals off 79, 78 and 81 points before this year's terrible performance of only 58 points, his lowest total since 2001-02. Well, it turns out that Tanguay had a running feud with HC Mike Keenan. That's hardly a shocker given the fact Iron Mike can ride his players harder than John Wayne rode a horse. Tanguay asked the team to trade him, and his request was granted when he was moved to the Canadiens in a draft-day deal (the Flames received the 25th pick in this year's draft and a second round selection next year).

Tanguay is a top-6 forward. This made the Keenan's decision to often use him as a checking forward odd, to say the least. In Montreal, he will join a talented group of forwards and will likely be given every chance to once again return to the 70-point plateau. Keep him in mind come fantasy draft day 2008.

MICHAEL CAMMALLERI TRADED TO FLAMES

"From the outhouse to the penthouse" could have been the headline for the deal that sent Michael Cammalleri to the Flames. Cammalleri will replace the lost offense of Alex Tanguay at a savings of about $1.75 million, allowing the Flames extra money to sign Daymond Langkow to a big extension.

Cammalleri was drafted as a center, but he is also capable of playing the wing if that is how the Flames choose to deploy him. His biggest boost to the Flames should be on the power-play, where he runs the point with aplomb and should team nicely with sniper extraordinaire Jarome Iginla. Cammalleri slumped to 19 goals and 47 points last season while being limited to 63 games due to injury, but don't overlook the fact he scored 34 goals and 80 points in 2006-07. He could return to those levels in 2008.


RAY EMERY RELEASED

The tumultuous career of Ray Emery in a Senators uniform is at an end. The organization bought out his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. Emery was paid $2.25 million in a buyout, 1/3 of his remaining salary, though the team will be able to spread that amount over two years (the remaining length of the original contract).

The Senators gave Emery over two million dollars to go away, showing how serious they were about ridding their clubhouse of his cancerous attitude. Emery was 33-16 with a .918 save percentage in 2006-07 before playing well in the playoffs (13-7, 2.25 GAA). However, he failed to make his mark last season, was quickly surpassed on the depth chart by Martin Gerber, and he finished 12-13-4 with a poor .890 save percentage. Toss in a me-first attitude, and the Sens said adios, despite the financial cost.

RUMOR MILL

MATS SUNDIN TO MONTREAL?

After skating with the Leafs for the last 13 years, Mats Sundin is at a crossroads. Will he return for another season with the Maple Leaf on his chest? Will he decide that after 1,305 games and 1,321 points that it's time for the next phase of his life away from the hockey rink? Will he choose to continue playing and sign with the…Montreal Canadiens?!

First off, you have to tip your cap to the Leafs for allowing Sundin to have discussions with the Canadiens before the July 1st date when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The Leafs would have been within their rights to refuse the Canadiens request, but out of deference to the great leadership and skill Sundin has shown while in Toronto, they pulled a classy move that allowed Sundin to explore his options. As for the Canadiens, GM Bob Gainey will travel all the way to Sweden to talk with Sundin, obviously showing the lengths that the Habs will go to secure Sundin's services. There is also a secondary report that the Leafs have given permission to the Rangers to talk to their star.

If Sundin comes back, and at this point it's far from certain that he will, whichever team he suits up for will receive a solid #1 center or a superb #2. Even at 37 years of age, Sundin is still coming off a season of 32 goals and 78 points, production that has basically followed him his whole career, as he has totaled at least 70 points in each of the last 12 seasons and 15 times in 16 years (only the strike-shortened year in 1994-95 broke the string, though he was on pace to reach that level once again with 47 points in 47 games).


BRIAN CAMPBELL TO LEAVE SHARKS?

Rumors are flying all over the place that Campbell will not be back with the Sharks next season. It appears he would like to return to the East Coast despite having a great run of success with the Sharks late in the year (19 points in 20 games). In fact, according to the Columbus Post Dispatch, the Sharks have given a bunch of teams permission to try to work out a contract with Campbell before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. The reason? If Campbell can work out a deal with another club prior to that date, the Sharks could then work out a trade with that club, which would thereby allow the team to secure Campbell the ability to negotiate exclusively with the blueliner before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Whomever secures his right will have to pay. Campbell is looking for $7 million per year.