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Jacques Martin shouldn't buy any real estate in Florida in the next couple of months.
After being blocked by Florida owner Alan Cohen from dealing centre Olli Jokinen at Tuesday's NHL trade deadline, the Panthers' GM-coach probably needs to make the playoffs to save his job.
Since the chances are slim and some believe that allowing Martin to deal Jokinen would have been Cohen giving the club's management a vote of confidence, the future doesn't look bright for the former Senators coach.
The whisper is former Panthers centre Joe Nieuwendyk, one of Martin's closest advisers, will be a candidate for the job if Cohen makes the move.
Some believe Martin will be able to keep one of his jobs. That might be the case because there's a whisper campaign about the style the Panthers play.
Make no mistake, Martin wanted to deal Jokinen. The Flames, Wild, Canucks and Jackets showed interest, but sources say the asking price was "outrageous" and that limited the market.
Then again, so did Cohen.
OFF THE GLASS: Calgary LW Alex Tanguay must have been disappointed to stay with the Flames. It's believed he had agreed to waive his "no trade" clause. The Flames talked to Montreal about RW Michael Ryder, but it's believed GM Darryl Sutter balked at the move .... You can bet the Bruins will try to sign Pittsburgh RW Marian Hossa as a free agent in the summer. He is close friends with his fellow Slovak, D Zdeno Chara, and would make a nice fit in Boston. Several teams have shown interest in RW Glen Murray which means Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli will be able to shed salary in the off-season. This might surprise you, but the New Jersey Devils were a finalist to get Hossa; GM Lou Lamoriello made a hard push before the Thrashers sent the ex-Sen to the Penguins ... Here's a few names Ottawa GM-coach Bryan Murray might consider when hiring a coach after this season: Former Atlanta coach Bob Hartley, former Columbus GM-coach Doug MacLean, former Devils coach Pat Burns, Rochester Amerks coach Randy Cunneyworth, London Knights coach Dale Hunter and St. Louis assistant Brad Shaw, a former 67's and Senators captain. Of course, if Murray can juggle both roles, he's as good a choice as any.
AROUND THE BOARDS: Part of the reason Washington GM George McPhee was active at the trade deadline might be the heat he's feeling. However, getting G Cristobal Huet (Montreal) and C Sergei Fedorov (Columbus) won't stop the talk McPhee will be replaced by former Dallas GM Doug Armstrong this summer. The Caps intend to sign Huet, who will be a UFA and that could mean G Olaf Kolzig is done with the Caps ... Pittsburgh coach Michel Therrien doesn't think the NHL should have games on deadline day. All the moves lead to teams often suiting up with less than a full roster ... The talk is C Erik Christensen didn't mind being dealt by the Penguins ... Can someone please tell me why the Blue Jackets let D Adam Foote get away at the deadline? The whisper is the two sides were battling over $500,000 (all terms US) next year. That's unreal.
RUMOURS DU JOUR: The reason the Jackets didn't get C Brad Richards from Tampa Bay is the offer wasn't good enough. Columbus wanted to send C Gilbert Brule, C Dan Fritsche and a prospect to the Bolts ... The Sharks wanted to move C Patrick Marleau, whose "no-movement" clause kicks in on July 1, because he's making $6.3 million and isn't performing up to expectations ... There's a strong belief GM Doug Wilson is expected to try to sign D Brian Campbell, who was picked up from Buffalo at the deadline, to a five-year extension before he becomes a UFA on July 1 ... The Senators, Rangers, Bruins, Devils, Panthers, Canucks and Ducks were also among the teams that called Sabres GM Darcy Regier. If Campbell does get to free agency, the Blackhawks are serious about an offer ... It's believed the Senators offered C Nick Foligno, prospect D Brian Lee and high draft pick for Hossa, but they were rebuffed because GM Don Waddell wanted LW Antoine Vermette in the deal. Murray told the Thrashers he couldn't do it for a rental player ... The Bruins, Senators and Penguins made a pitch to the Hawks for C Tuomo Ruutu before he was sent to the Hurricanes for LW Andrew Ladd ... Campbell hadn't even packed his bags and they were already talking about losing G Ryan Miller in Buffalo. He will be UFA at the end of the 2008-09 season and doesn't seem to be in any hurry to sign an extension with the Sabres. Given the Sabres' track record, they'll probably lose Miller as well ... Pity Los Angeles GM Dean Lombardi, who tried to deal his whole roster at the deadline and basically could only move D Brad Stuart to the Wings ... Wild GM Doug Risebrough is getting hammered in the Minnesota newspapers for bringing in Isles LW Chris Simon. The reaction: Risebrough couldn't do better than that? ... As reported here two weeks ago, the Habs called the Hawks about RW Martin Havlat. Montreal wanted to bring him in with Hossa. Havlat will likely be dealt in the summer.
Have a nice Sunday.