The Clash once posed the question: Should I stay or should I go now? We take a look at the big names surrounding the NHL trade deadline and whether they'll be staying in place or going to finish the season in another city.Prior to this year's NHL entry draft, the Phoenix Coyotes acquired Olli Jokinen from the Florida Panthers for defensemen Nick Boynton and Keith Ballard, and a second-round pick. At the time, it looked a strong move for the Coyotes as they looked to emerge from the basement of the highly competitive Pacific Division.
Unfortunately, It hasn't exactly worked out that way for the Coyotes, as they currently find themselves in the 14th spot of the Western Conference, six points out of the eighth and final playoff spot. Jokinen has been solid for Phoenix, registering 20 goals and 21 assists, after having scored at least 34 goals in five of his past six seasons.
During his 10-year career he's played in nearly 780 regular season games, and has still yet to play in a postseason game, having spent time with the Kings, Islanders and Panthers before being traded to Phoenix. Coincidentally, the Panthers are in serious contention for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Aside from being a productive goal-scorer, he's also extremely durable having played in at least 80 games seven of the past eight seasons.
Contract status: Signed through the end of the 2009-10 season for $5.50 million.
Teams that might be interested: The Fourth Period reported a couple of weeks ago that Columbus, Minnesota and Montreal were all expressing interest in Jokinen
Where he'll end up: In my opinion, Jokinen would be a great fit for a Columbus team that's trying to put itself on the NHL map. He would give Rick Nash the No. 1 center he's lacked his entire career, while providing offense and goal-scoring ability to a team that's currently 20th in the NHL in goals per game. Acquiring a player like Jokinen might be enough to secure Columbus its first NHL playoff berth.
